VA Disability Compensation Abroad: Living in the UK on VA Benefits

Yes, you can keep receiving VA disability compensation if you live in the UK or anywhere else abroad. VA states that most of its benefits, including disability compensation, are payable regardless of where you live or your nationality. The monthly rate is the same as in the US. What changes is the admin: how the money reaches you, where your claim exams happen, and how VA pays for treatment of service-connected conditions through the Foreign Medical Program, known as FMP.

This guide covers each of those, with the contacts that work from overseas. All figures are from VA and GAO pages checked in October 2026.

How much you receive abroad

Compensation rates do not change with your country of residence. The current VA rate table took effect on 1 December 2025. Monthly rates for a veteran with no dependants are:

Separate tables on the same VA page show higher rates for veterans with a spouse, children or dependent parents. VA must match the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment each year, so expect a new table to take effect on 1 December 2026. Payments are in US dollars, so the sterling value moves with the exchange rate.

Getting paid into a UK bank account

You have two options.

• Keep a US bank account. You can update a US account and routing number yourself in your VA.gov profile under direct deposit information. You then move money to the UK with your own bank or a transfer service.
• Use International Direct Deposit. VA can pay compensation directly into a foreign bank account. VA does not charge a currency conversion fee for payments sent overseas. Your UK bank may charge its own fees. Arrival time depends on your bank's processing.

The VA help line for international direct deposit and currency conversion is +1 918-781-7550, 9am to 5:30pm Eastern time, Monday to Friday, or email DIRECTD.VBAMUS@VA.GOV. The VA.gov profile handles US accounts, and VA's direct deposit page directs anyone setting up an international account to Ask VA at va.gov/contact-us/ask-va.

Updating your address from abroad

Sign in to VA.gov and update your mailing and home addresses in the contact information section of your profile. VA's change of address page says this one update reaches disability compensation, pension, health care, education, claims and appeals, and Veteran Readiness and Employment.

Three points matter for overseas veterans:

• Give your physical address. VA schedules claim exams as close as possible to where you live. It says that without your physical address and current contact details, your claim may be delayed or denied. You can submit it on VA Form 21-4138 or through QuickSubmit, even if you use a separate mailing address.
• Update FMP separately. FMP keeps its own records, along with home loans, life insurance and CHAMPVA. A VA.gov profile change does not reach them.
• APO addresses. When registering on VA.gov, VA asks you to use your last US address in place of an APO address.

Claim exams when you live overseas

If you file a new claim or ask for an increase, VA usually needs a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. Overseas, VA uses contracted examiners and, in some countries, examiners arranged through US embassy staff. A 2020 GAO review found that:

• about 18,287 of roughly 1 million disability claims in fiscal year 2019 came from veterans living abroad
• overseas and domestic approval rates were close, at 63% and 64%
• VBA was moving toward contracted examiners, and in 2022 awarded two international exam contracts running to 30 September 2028

GAO made five recommendations, covering exam quality, travel reimbursement abroad and recording veterans' full contact details. All five are listed as implemented. In practice, answer every call or email from VA or its contractor quickly, attend exams with your service treatment records to hand, and tell VA at once if you move.

FMP: VA-funded medical care abroad

Outside the US, VA pays for treatment through FMP. The VA FMP page says it covers medically necessary care abroad for:

• a VA-rated, service-connected disability
• a condition VA determines is making a service-connected disability worse
• care needed while you take part in Veteran Readiness and Employment

You can use any licensed provider in the country where you live or travel. FMP does not cover care or supplies received in or from the US or its territories. If you have a service-connected rating, you are already eligible. Download your FMP benefits letter from VA.gov under Letters, then share it with your provider.

Filing an FMP claim

Your provider can bill FMP directly. If you paid yourself, file the claim, using VA Form 10-7959f-2 (the FMP Claim Cover Sheet). The VA claim guidance sets these rules:

FMP pays only for service-connected care. For everything else you rely on the health system where you live. US veterans studying in the UK should also read our guide to VA care while studying overseas.

Getting help in person

VA lists three routes for veterans abroad. Federal Benefits Units at some US embassies and consulates have staff trained to help with VA benefits. You can email a VA Overseas Military Services Coordinator. Or you can appoint an accredited representative, such as a veterans service organisation, using VA's representative search tool. Representatives can file and track claims for you, which helps across time zones.

Quick reference

If you are in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line answers from Europe on +1 844-702-5495, and in the UK Samaritans answer on 116 123. Our guide to Op COURAGE and veteran mental health services lists UK options.