VA entitlement codes are a system the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs uses to determine a veteran or surviving spouse’s eligibility for certain VA benefits and services. These codes are based on a veteran’s length of service, discharge status, and other factors. They can determine the level of benefits a veteran or surviving spouse is eligible to receive. Understanding VA loan entitlement is crucial when navigating your benefits and services.
Let’s examine each code and the amount of service required to unlock your VA home loan benefit.
Table of Contents
- VA Entitlement Codes and Service Requirements
- Entitlement Code 01
- Entitlement Code 02
- Entitlement Code 03
- Entitlement Code 04
- Entitlement Code 05
- Entitlement Code 06
- Entitlement Code 07
- Entitlement Code 08
- Entitlement Code 09
- Entitlement Code 10
- Entitlement Code 11
- Can a Veteran Have Multiple Entitlement Codes?
- Tips for Understanding Entitlement
- More Reading
VA Entitlement Codes and Service Requirements
| Entitlement Code | Era | Minimum Service Requirement |
| 01 | World War II | 90 days |
| 02 | Korean War | 181 days |
| 03 | Post-Korean War | 90 days |
| 04 | Vietnam War | 90 days |
| 05 | Entitlement Restored | n/a |
| 06 | Surviving Spouse | n/a |
| 07 | Spouse of POW/MIA | n/a |
| 08 | Post-World War II | 181 days |
| 09 | Post-Vietnam | 181 days |
| 10 | Persian Gulf War | 90 days |
| 11 | Selected Reserves | 90 days of active duty, 30 of which must have been consecutive. |
Entitlement Code 01
Veterans who served during World War II (September 16, 1940, through July 25, 1947) are designated by entitlement code 01. To be eligible for a VA home loan, the minimum service requirement for this period is 90 days.
Entitlement Code 02
Veterans who served during the Korean War (June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955) are designated by entitlement code 02. The minimum service requirement for this period is 181 days of active duty to be eligible for a VA home loan.
Entitlement Code 03
Veterans who served during the post-Korean War era (February 1, 1955, through August 4, 1964) are designated by entitlement code 03. The minimum service requirement for this period is 90 days to be eligible for a VA home loan.
Code 03 also includes veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and August 4, 1964.
Entitlement Code 04
Veterans who served during the Vietnam War era (August 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975) are designated by entitlement code 04. To be eligible for a VA home loan, the minimum service requirement for this period is 90 days.
Service between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975 is also covered for those who served in the Republic of Vietnam.
Entitlement Code 05
Entitlement code 05 stands for “entitlement restored.” This entitlement code is for those who have previously taken out a VA loan and paid it off, sold the property, or refinanced to a non-VA loan. Having your full entitlement available means being able to borrow as much as a lender will give you, all without a down payment.
Note that there is no limit to how many times you can take out a VA loan.
Entitlement Code 06
Entitlement code 06 applies to surviving spouses. No specific service period is tied to this code as it pertains to the status of the veteran at the time of their death.
Generally, to be a surviving spouse that is eligible for the VA home loan benefit, you must not have remarried, and your spouse must have died during service or due to a service-related injury.
Entitlement Code 07
Entitlement code 07 applies to surviving spouses whose spouse is a veteran who is missing in action or designated a prisoner of war (POW). As in the case of entitlement code 6, the surviving spouse must not have remarried.
No specific service period is tied to this code as it pertains to the status of the servicemember.
Entitlement Code 08
Entitlement code 08 is for veterans who served during peacetime after World War II (July 26, 1947, through June 26, 1950). The minimum service qualification is 181 days of duty.
Entitlement Code 09
VA Entitlement Code 09 applies to veterans who served after the Vietnam War era, covering service that began after September 7, 1980, for enlisted personnel and after October 16, 1981, for officers. This code extends through the Gulf War era and beyond, ensuring eligibility for those who served during this extensive period.
Typically, veterans must have completed 24 months of continuous active duty service or served the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty, which is at least 181 days. This entitlement code encompasses a broad range of service dates, reflecting the long-term commitment of veterans who served in the post-Vietnam and Gulf War eras.
Entitlement Code 10
VA Entitlement Code 10 covers veterans who served during the Gulf War era, from August 2, 1990, to a date yet to be determined. This code is designated for those who served during this significant period of conflict and beyond.
To qualify under this code, veterans typically need to have completed 24 months of continuous active duty service or served the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty, which is at least 90 days. Entitlement Code 10 ensures that Gulf War-era veterans can access their VA loan benefits in recognition of their service.
Entitlement Code 11
Entitlement code 11 confirms eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members. To be a VA loan-eligible National Guard or Reserve member, you must have served at least 6 years in Selected Reserves or qualify due to activation under special Title orders.
Under Title 10, National Guardsmen and Reservists who have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty are eligible for a VA loan.
Under Title 32, National Guard or Reserve members must have served at least 90 days on active duty, 30 of which must have been consecutive.
Can a Veteran Have Multiple Entitlement Codes?
No, a veteran cannot have multiple entitlement codes simultaneously. But, entitlement codes can change once a veteran or servicemember’s circumstances change.
For example, a veteran might separate from service with entitlement code 10, indicating they served during the Gulf War era. If they use their VA loan benefit and later pay off their VA loan, their entitlement code could change to code 05, which indicates their full entitlement has been restored. This update reflects their new eligibility status, enabling them to utilize their full VA loan benefits again.
Tips for Understanding Entitlement
Understanding VA loan entitlement is crucial for veterans and servicemembers who wish to take full advantage of their VA home loan benefits. If you want to use your VA home loan benefit to buy a new home, remember that it’s not just on you to understand these concepts. A lender specializing in VA loans will thoroughly understand these concepts and what they mean for you and your unique situation. They’ll even help you get your COE; these days, they can be obtained online in minutes.
Here are some key tips to help you navigate the process:
- Know Your Basic and Bonus Entitlement: VA loan entitlement is divided into basic and bonus (or secondary) entitlement. Basic entitlement typically covers loans up to $144,000, while bonus entitlement can be used for higher loan amounts.
- Check Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Your COE is essential for determining your entitlement status. It shows your entitlement code, which explains how and when you earned your entitlement and the amount of entitlement you have available.
- Understand Entitlement Restoration: If you’ve used your VA loan benefits before, you may need to restore your entitlement to use it again. This can be done by paying off the previous VA loan, selling the home, having another veteran assume the loan, or refinancing into a non-VA loan.
- Learn About Second-Tier Entitlement: If you need to use your VA loan benefits while still owning a home financed with a previous VA loan, second-tier entitlement allows you to do so. This is especially useful for service members with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.
- Consult with a VA-Approved Lender: VA loan rules and regulations can be complex. Working with a VA-approved lender can help you navigate the process and maximize your benefits.
You can check out our full guide to VA loan entitlement to learn more. By understanding these key aspects of VA loan entitlement, you can better utilize your benefits and make informed decisions about your home financing options.
Check your VA Home Loan eligibility and get personalized rates. Answer a few questions and we'll connect you with a trusted VA lender to answer any questions you have about the VA loan program.
More Reading
2024 VA Loan Limits by County – How Much House Can You Buy?
VA Loan Eligible and Ineligible Properties: Homes You Can Purchase With a VA Loan
VA Loan Co-Signers and Co-Borrowers Guide
VA Loan Guide: Benefits, Eligibility Requirements and Top Lenders
About Post Author
About the comments on this site:
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.