VA Life Insurance for Mesothelioma

VA Life Insurance Explained

VALife is a new form of insurance for service-disabled veterans that was rolled out in January 2023, marking the first time in 50 years that a new VA life insurance program has been introduced.

VALife is a low-cost life insurance policy for veterans with injuries or illnesses that stem from active-duty service. Veterans with any disability rating may be eligible for coverage.

Veterans with mesothelioma — a rare cancer caused by asbestos — almost always receive a 100% disability rating. That means veterans with this service-related condition will likely qualify for life insurance coverage.

Whereas previous VA life insurance plans like Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) had a maximum coverage of $10,000, VALife increases the cap to $40,000. Applicants can choose from 4 tiers of coverage that range from $10,000 to $40,000.

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for a range of financial and health care benefits from the VA. Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide today to learn more.

How Does VALife Insurance Work?

If you qualify for VALife, your full life insurance coverage will begin after a two-year waiting period.

The amount of money sent to your beneficiaries (the loved ones you designate in your policy) depends on when you pass away.

If you die after the two-year waiting period is over, your beneficiaries will receive the full coverage amount of your life insurance policy (up to $40,000).
If you die during the two-year waiting period, your beneficiaries will receive the amount you paid in premiums plus interest.

It will typically take 2-5 days for a beneficiary to receive payment in either case.

How Does VALife Help Veterans With Mesothelioma?

VALife aims to make life insurance more accessible to those who need it, including veterans with mesothelioma.

VALife can provide veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children with financial compensation to handle medical bills, health care treatments, and other expenses.

VALife benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include:

Automatic approval and guaranteed acceptance for eligible applicants
No health requirements or medical exam
No increases in premiums over time
No time limit for enrollment

Who Is Eligible for VA Life Insurance in 2024?

If you’re 80 years old or younger and you have a VA service-connected disability rating, you’ve met the only criteria necessary to qualify for VALife.

In some cases, those over the age of 80 may also qualify if they:

Applied for VA disability compensation before their 81st birthday
Applied for VALife within two years of being notified of their disability rating
Got their service-connected disability rating after their 81st birthday

For those over the age of 80, all of the above criteria must be met in order to qualify for VALife.

Keep in mind that the younger you are when you apply, the lower your premiums will be — and those premiums don’t change over time.

If you or a loved one has developed a service-related injury or illness like mesothelioma, connect with one of our trusted Patient Advocates to find out how we can help you apply for VA benefits.

Can I Switch from S-DVI to VALife?

Yes. However, veterans may find VALife more beneficial than its main alternative, Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI).

Those who already have S-DVI can still apply for VALife. However, they can’t receive coverage from both programs at the same time.

If you decide to transition over to S-DVI, it can go one of two ways:

If you apply by December 31, 2025, you retain your S-DVI coverage throughout the two-year VALife waiting period. Then your VALife coverage will replace your S-DVI coverage, but you’ll have to pay premiums for both during the VALife waiting period.
If you apply on or after January 1, 2026, your S-DVI coverage will end the day your VALife coverage is approved. You will only have to pay VALife premiums during the two-year waiting period, but you won’t have full coverage during that time.

Other VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

In addition to VA life insurance, veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for a range of additional VA benefits.

Other mesothelioma VA benefits include:

Mesothelioma VA Benefits Video Thumbnail

Veterans with mesothelioma a wide range of VA benefits after a diagnosis. Call us today at (866) 608-8933 to learn about these benefits and how to access them. View Transcript.

Duration: 00 min 51 sec

Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are entitled to several different types of benefits from the VA to include disability benefits, health care benefits, [and] there are even survivor benefits for those with asbestos-related diseases.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their service in the military are likely to receive a benefit of $3,500 of monthly income tax-free to the veteran.

Veterans with mesothelioma who are exposed while they were in the service are also entitled to private benefits as well, and we encourage veterans to call Mesothelioma Hope so that we can work together to help them file for VA benefits.

There are also many different types of life insurance that you and your family may qualify for besides VALife and S-DVI.

Other VA life insurance plans include:

Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

Our VA-accredited claims agents can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits. Don’t wait: call us at (866) 608-8933 to get started.

Get Help Applying for Mesothelioma VA Benefits

VA life insurance, health care, and other benefits can go a long way in taking care of eligible veterans and their loved ones. With the right help, applying for these benefits can be simple and stress-free.

At Mesothelioma Hope, our team of trusted Patient Advocates, VA-accredited claims agents, and experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help you apply for and access the benefits you’re entitled to.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you can gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is taken care of. We’re available 24/7, so contact us now to explore your benefit options.

FAQs About VA Life Insurance for Mesothelioma

How do I get veterans life insurance?

You can find out if you’re eligible for VALife and submit your application (along with your first premium payment) by visiting the official VA website at www.va.gov. Policyholders can also manage payments and update their beneficiaries on the VA site once they’re enrolled.

When you apply for VALife, you can receive an instant decision — as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be automatically approved for life insurance benefits.

How much does VA life insurance cost?

Monthly premium payments for VALife range from $10.90 to $1,768 per month, while annual payments range from $129.30 to $6,051.20.

The amount you pay depends on your age, the amount of coverage you want, and whether you’re paying monthly or annually.

Although higher age and more coverage mean more expensive premiums, you’ll be locked into the premium rate at which you applied — it will never increase.