Page Reviewed / Updated - March 5, 2024

The table below contains the eligibility qualifications for the Department of Veterans Affairs Priority Groups. Priority Groups, with levels 1-8, are used for allocating medical benefits and long-term care resources to U.S. Veterans. Typically, the lower the Priority Group number, the higher the priority the VA assigns to it.

Click to search for long-term care resources for veterans, including the Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits and Veterans Directed HCBS.

Priority Group

Description - Updated March 2024

Priority Group 1:
  • Veterans with a VA-rated service-connected disability that is rated by the VA as 50% or more disabling, OR
  • Veterans determined by the VA to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition, OR
  • Veterans who have received the Medal of Honor
Priority Group 2:
  • Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities that are 30% or 40% disabling

Priority Group 3:

  • Veterans who are former prisoners of war (POWs), OR
  • Veterans awarded a Purple Heart medal, OR
  • Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, OR
  • Veterans with a VA-rated service-connected disability rated 10% or 20% disabling, OR
  • Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., Section 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation”
Priority Group 4:
  • Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits from the VA, OR
  • Veterans who have been determined by the VA to be catastrophically disabled
Priority Group 5:
  • Veterans with a non-service-connected disability or non-compensable service-connected disability rated as 0% disabling by the VA and whose annual income and net worth are below the VA pension benefits national income threshold, OR
  • Veterans receiving VA pension benefits, OR
  • Veterans eligible for Medicaid programs
Priority Group 6:
  • Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability rated at 0% , OR
  • Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, OR
  • Project 112/SHAD participants, OR
  • Veterans who served in World War II between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, OR
  • Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, OR
  • Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998, OR
  • Veterans served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, OR
  • Veterans who meet all four of the following requirements: 1. Currently enrolled in VA health care, and 2. Served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and 3. Discharged less than 10 years ago, and 4. Agree to pay some copays
Priority Group 7:
  • Veterans with income below the geographic income threshold (GMT) who agree to pay co-pays

Priority Group 8:

  • Veterans with income above the VA national income limits and the geographically adjusted income limits for their location who agree to pay co-pays
  • Subpriority a: Veterans with a non-compensable service-connected condition rated 0% disabling enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date, or they were placed in this subpriority group because their eligibility status changed
  • Subpriority b: Veterans with non-compensable service-connected condition rated 0% disabling, who are enrolled in the VA health care program on or after June 15, 2009 and who have income that exceeds the current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less
  • Subpriority c: Veterans with a non-service-connected condition enrolled in the VA health care program as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date, or they were placed in this subpriority group because their eligibility status changed
  • Subpriority d: Veterans with a non-service-connected condition enrolled in the VA health care program on or after June 15, 2009 and have income higher than the current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less
  • Subpriority e: Veterans with a non-compensable service-connected condition rated 0% disabling who don't meet the eligibility in subgroup a or b
  • Subpriority g: Veterans without a service-connected condition who don't meet the eligibility requirements for subgroup c or d

*Please note Subpriority groups e and g are NOT eligible for VA health care benefits.

[financial_locator location="bottom"]