Eligibility Requirements for Utah VA Loans

Do you qualify for a VA loan?

Ultimately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has the final say, but many service members, reservists, veterans and their surviving spouses meet the VA loan eligibility requirements. An experienced loan officer can determine whether you’re likely to qualify, but these are the basic guidelines for qualification.

VA Loans for Servicemen and Veterans

If you’re on active duty now, you can establish eligibility after 90 consecutive days. Similarly, anyone who served at least 90 days of active duty during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War or the Gulf War should qualify.

For veterans who served during peacetime and those who were separated from service, qualifying for a VA loan requires at least 181 days of continuous active duty.

In the event of discharge due to a service-connected disability, current and formers members of the armed forces may qualify for a VA home loan with fewer days of active duty.

VA Loans for Military Spouses

If you’re a surviving spouse of a service member or veteran, you may be eligible for a VA home loan under a few different circumstances.

Un-remarried spouses of veterans who died during service or as a result of a service-connected disability are typically eligible, as are spouses of service members who are missing in action or prisoners of war. Surviving spouses who are receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits may also qualify.

In addition, surviving spouses age 57 or older who remarried on or after December 16, 2003 may be approved for a VA home loan.

VA Loans for Selected Reserve and National Guard

If you’re a reservist, you can qualify for a VA home loan by completing at least six years of service. To meet the requirements, you must be a member of an active unit in the Selected Reserve or National Guard, attend the required weekend drills and complete the necessary two weeks of active duty for training.

The VA also requires reservists who want a home loan to meet one of the following conditions: continued service in the Selected Reserve, transfer to the Standby Reserve or the Ready Reserve after honorable service, an honorable discharge or placement on the retired list.

VA Loans for Other Beneficiaries

The Veteran’s Administration also approves home loans in some other circumstances.

If you are a U.S. citizen who served in the armed forces of one of our World War II allies, you may qualify. You might also be eligible if you were a member of certain organizations. Cadets at the U.S. Military, Air Force or Coast Guard Academy, midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, Public Health Service officers and officers of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration are among those who may be approved for a VA home loan.

Do you have questions about VA loans? Or are you ready to get the ball rolling and apply for a home loan? Let Integrity First Lending help.

With decades of combined loan and mortgage experience, the professionals at Integrity First Lending can explain your options and help you find the best solution to meet your needs. To discuss your eligibility for a VA loan, contact our South Jordan or Tooele, Utah, office today.