100% P&T Playbook

Everything your 100% Permanent & Total rating unlocks

Money, healthcare, family coverage, base access, state perks, survivors, and student-loan relief — in one walkthrough.

For U.S. veterans rated 100% or paid at 100% via TDIU Last updated:
Benefits guide

Use 100% P&T to stabilize your family's future.

When VA marks you Permanent & Total, a huge stack of benefits turns on — this guide helps you claim them on purpose instead of by accident.

Jump to “What P&T means”
Start here

What “100% P&T” really means in plain English

VA tosses around three ideas that often get mashed together. Here they are side-by-side:

Definitions of 100% schedular, Individual Unemployability (TDIU), and Permanent and Total (P&T)
Term Plain-English meaning
100% schedular Your combined rating adds up to 100% under the VA rating schedule.
Individual Unemployability (TDIU) You're paid at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower, because your service-connected disabilities keep you from substantially gainful work.
P&T (Permanent & Total) Your total disability is both total (paid at 100%) and reasonably expected to continue for life. Paperwork often says “no future exams are scheduled” or specifically calls you “Permanent and Total.”
Fast checks

Confirming P&T and building your “proof” folder

Before you start claiming benefits, lock down proof that you're actually P&T and get your documents in one place.

  • Benefits Summary / rating letter: Download from VA.gov → Profile → Documents & Records. Look for language like “permanent in nature,” “no future exams are scheduled,” or a checkbox for Permanent and Total.
  • VA Health ID (VHIC): Enroll in VA health care and get a VHIC card — this is what most bases use for access and urgent-care billing.
  • DoD ID (USID) card: Some 100% disabled vets qualify. It's especially useful for Space-A travel and MWR access.
  • Dependent paperwork: Marriage certificate, kids' birth certificates, and student status (18–23) for CHAMPVA/DEA.
Federal

Federal benefits that turn on at 100% P&T

These build on the standard disability benefits you already have.

100% compensation (plus SMC) You're paid at the 100% rate every month. You might also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (A&A, loss-of-use, etc.). Use the D4V calculator to model your exact rate with dependents.
VA home loan funding fee waiver If you're receiving compensation for any service-connected disability, your VA loan funding fee is typically waived — huge money over the life of a mortgage.
CHAMPVA for family P&T generally unlocks CHAMPVA for eligible spouse and dependents: 75/25 cost-share after a small deductible, a $3,000 annual out-of-pocket cap, and Meds by Mail options that are often $0.
DEA - Chapter 35 Monthly education payments for eligible dependents in school/training. Children usually have usage windows up to age 26; spouse windows depend on when P&T was granted.
VALife & other insurance VALife is a guaranteed-acceptance whole life option for service-connected vets with no medical exam — can be useful as a small legacy / burial cushion.
Access Pass for federal lands A free lifetime America the Beautiful Access Pass gets you into many national parks and recreation sites. Show proof of permanent disability.
Federal student loans - TPD discharge With a VA determination that you're 100% disabled or TDIU, you may qualify for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge of eligible federal student loans. VA and the Department of Education often auto-match, but you can also apply directly if needed.
Other federal preferences Hiring preference, small-business programs, and certain federal fee waivers often treat P&T vets as a special category. Keep your rating letter handy.
Health & dental

Healthcare, dental, hearing & vision at 100%

Once you're 100% service-connected (including IU), you sit at the top of the VA priority list.

Priority Group 1

  • 100% SC vets are typically in Priority Group 1: broadest coverage and the lowest (often $0) copays for VA care and medications.
  • Many routine services and meds are fully covered when tied to your service-connected disabilities.

Dental (Class IV)

  • 100% (including IU) usually qualifies for comprehensive VA dental under Class IV.
  • Expect cleanings, fillings, crowns, and major work when clinically indicated.

Vision & eyeglasses

  • Routine eye exams are covered.
  • Eyeglasses are provided when medically indicated; veterans with a compensable SC disability (10%+) are among those who qualify.

Hearing aids & audiology

  • If clinically indicated, VA can provide hearing aids, batteries, and accessories.
  • Ask for an evaluation if you're having trouble hearing.

Beneficiary travel

Many 100% SC vets qualify for travel reimbursement to/from VA appointments.

Urgent care (non-VA, in network)

Emergency care (non-VA ER)

VADIP - optional civilian dental

Even if you qualify for VA dental, you can buy VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) coverage for civilian dentists or to cover family members.

Access

Base access, Space-A travel & military shopping

P&T opens doors on base and in the military shopping world — if you know how to show up.

  • Commissary & Exchange (in-store): Many 100% SC vets can shop on base using a VHIC showing “Service Connected” or a DoD USID card.
  • Online exchanges: All honorably discharged vets can shop online exchanges (ShopMyExchange, myNavyExchange, MCX) after a one-time verification.
  • MWR: Rules vary by installation — call ahead.
  • Space-A (Category VI): 100% disabled vets with a qualifying ID can fly Space-Available. It's standby travel, so flexibility is key.
States

State-level perks stacked on top of P&T

States quietly stack huge value on top of your federal benefits, especially once you're at 100% or P&T.

Start with two offices:

  • Your state Department of Veterans Affairs, and
  • Your county tax assessor / auditor for property tax programs.
Survivors

Survivors, DIC, and the “8-year rule”

Getting P&T dialed in while you're alive can make a big difference for your family later.

DIC basics

  • DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) is a monthly VA benefit for eligible survivors when a veteran dies from a service-connected condition or was totally disabled for a qualifying period before death.
  • If you were rated totally disabling (100% or TDIU) for at least 10 years before death, survivors may qualify even if the cause of death is not directly service-connected.

The 8-year rule (extra DIC amount)

  • If you were rated totally disabling for at least 8 continuous years immediately before death, and
  • You were married to your surviving spouse for those same 8+ years,
  • Then the surviving spouse may receive an additional DIC amount each month.
Action plan

One-hour checklist: easy wins with 100% P&T

Here's a realistic list you can knock out in an evening.

  • Download and print your Benefits Summary & rating decision.
  • Make sure you're enrolled in VA health care and your VHIC is up to date.
  • Start CHAMPVA applications for spouse and kids.
  • If kids are headed to school, explore DEA (Chapter 35) now.
  • If you have federal student loans, check eligibility for TPD discharge.
  • Tell your lender you're funding-fee exempt before pre-approval.
  • Apply for your free Access Pass for federal lands and parks.
  • Run the D4V compensation calculator with dependents and any potential SMC.
  • Use the State Benefits Finder to map out property tax relief, vehicle perks, and tuition deals.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about P&T

Will VA re-examine me if I'm P&T?

“Permanent” means VA doesn't expect your condition to improve and generally won't schedule routine future exams. However, they always retain the ability to review ratings for evidence of improvement, fraud, or clear error.

Does TDIU count as P&T?

TDIU pays at the 100% rate. If VA also marks your status Permanent & Total, you're treated as P&T for many benefits that require “permanent and total” (like CHAMPVA and DEA).

Can I work if I'm 100%?

If you're schedular 100%, working is usually allowed. If you're paid at 100% via TDIU, there are strict limits — talk to a VSO/accredited rep before taking full-time work.

What about property taxes?

Many states offer major property tax exemptions or credits for 100% or P&T vets. Confirm with your county assessor and bring your rating letter and proof of residency.

Rules, rates, and dollar amounts change. Use this as a roadmap, then verify details on VA.gov, StudentAid.gov, and with a qualified VSO or accredited representative.