Creating an account for VA.gov
Learn about creating a free Login.gov or ID.me account to manage your VA benefits, services, and information online.
Getting started
Why should I create an account to sign in to VA.gov?
When you create a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can access and manage your VA benefits, health care, and information online. You can use your account to sign in to VA.gov, VA mobile apps, and any other VA online service.
Here are some things you can do with an account:
- Apply for benefits
- Check your claim status
- Update your address and other contact information across several VA benefits and services
- Check the status of and request help with any benefit overpayments or copay bills you may have
You can also do these things to manage your health:
- Refill prescriptions
- Communicate privately and securely with your health care team
- Request or schedule some health appointments
- Review lab and test results
You can also use your account to sign in to some other government websites to manage benefits like Social Security benefits.
What type of account should I create to manage my VA benefits online?
You can create a Login.gov or ID.me account.
What to know:
- Login.gov is our government’s one account provider for VA and other government benefits and services. The U.S. General Services Administration creates and maintains your account. To learn how our government protects your information, read the privacy policy.
Read the privacy policy on the Login.gov website - ID.me is a non-government account provider that contracts with government and non-government organizations. ID.me creates and maintains your account. To learn how ID.me protects your information, read their privacy policy.
Read the privacy policy on the ID.me website - Both Login.gov and ID.me meet modern security standards. Both accounts protect your data so only you can access and change your stored information.
- Both Login.gov and ID.me let you use a single, secure account to access your VA benefits and services. You can use either account to manage some other government benefits and services (like Social Security benefits).
Creating your account
You can create your account on the Login.gov website. Here’s what you’ll need:
- An email address
- A unique password that includes at least 12 characters
Learn how to create your account on the Login.gov website
When you set up your account, you’ll need to set up multifactor authentication.
Learn more about multifactor authentication
Learn about multifactor authentication methods on the Login.gov website
The first time you use your account to manage your VA benefits or information, you’ll need to verify your identity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your driver’s license or other state-issued ID, and
- Your Social Security number, and
- A U.S. phone number
Note: If you don’t have a U.S. phone number, Login.gov can send a letter to your mailing address instead.
Learn more about verifying your identity on the Login.gov website
You can create your account on the ID.me website. Here’s what you’ll need:
- An email address
- A unique password that includes at least 8 characters (with at least 1 uppercase letter, 1 lowercase letter, and 1 number)
When you set up your account, you’ll need to set up multifactor authentication.
Learn more about multifactor authentication
Learn about multifactor authentication methods on the ID.me website
The first time you use your account to manage your VA benefits or information, you’ll need to verify your identity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A phone number, and
- Your driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, or passport card
Learn more about verifying your identity for VA on the ID.me website
Many people create accounts that they forget they have over time.
The best way to find out if you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account is to try to create a new one.
To create a new account, go to our VA.gov sign-in page. Then select Create an account with Login.gov or Create an account with ID.me.
If you try to create an account and you already have one, the sign-in service provider will tell you. You can then try to reset your email.
Identity verification is a one-time process that we ask you to complete for your Login.gov or ID.me account. The process often takes about 10 minutes.
During this process, the account provider (Login.gov or ID.me) will ask you to provide certain personal information and identification (ID). This process helps us make sure that the person creating your account is really you—and not someone pretending to be you. It’s a lot like the process for setting up a bank account.
Identity verification is not about whether we trust that you’re who you say you are. It’s about protecting you from scammers who may try to set up an account in your name to access your information and benefits.
After you verify your identity, you won’t have to do it again for that account unless you lose access to your account’s multifactor authentication method or need to recreate your account. In the future, we may ask you to help us reverify your identity once every several years for added protection.
Go to the account provider’s website.
Identity verification and multifactor authentication work together to protect your identity and personal information:
- Identity verification is a one-time process. You complete this process when you first set up your sign-in account. To verify your identity, you provide certain personal information and identification (ID). Identity verification helps us make sure only you can create your sign-in account—and no scammer can create one in your name.
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of protection that’s part of the process of signing in to use your account. When you first set up your account, you set up your choice of MFA method (like an authenticator app) on a device only you have access to. Then, you use that method to provide a specific code we send you each time you sign in. Multifactor authentication helps us make sure only you can use your sign-in account to access and manage your benefits and health care.
Preparing for VA sign-in changes
We’re moving to a simpler, more modern, sign-in experience in 2025, with 2 secure sign-in account options (Login.gov and ID.me).
Here’s what will change for Veterans and beneficiaries like you:
- After January 31, 2025, you won’t be able to sign in to VA.gov, VA mobile apps, or other VA online services with a My HealtheVet user ID and password. After September 30, 2025, you won’t be able to sign in with a DS Logon username and password.
- You’ll have 2 sign-in account options that meet modern security standards: a Login.gov or ID.me account. You’ll be able to use your account to sign in to VA.gov, VA mobile apps, and any other VA online service to manage your VA benefits and care.
- You’ll need to use a unique email address and set up multifactor authentication for your account as part of the requirements of both Login.gov and ID.me.
Here’s why we’ll allow only 2 modern, secure sign-in account options (Login.gov or ID.me):
- Veterans have told us many times over several years that they want fewer account options. And they want to be able to use their chosen sign-in account to access all of their VA benefits and care.
- Identity theft and related medical identity theft are serious issues that can cause severe financial hardship and disruption in medical care for Veterans and their families. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft. That same year, Veterans and military retirees also reported to the FTC $350 million in losses to fraud.
- We’re required by federal policy to help all Veterans begin using a sign-in account that meets modern security standards. We’re also required to simplify the sign-in experience for Veterans. Login.gov and ID.me help us meet both these requirements.
Yes. Both Login.gov and ID.me require multifactor authentication (MFA) as part of the account set-up process. This extra layer of protection helps us make sure that it’s you trying to use your sign-in account—and not someone pretending to be you.
Multifactor authentication is a common practice for many websites and apps. You may already use it to access your email, bank account, or social media accounts.
When you set up your Login.gov or ID.me account, you can choose the multifactor authentication option that works best for you.
Go to Login.gov’s guide to multifactor authentication options
Don’t worry. You won’t lose any stored information. And you can always manage your VA benefits and care by phone, by mail, or in person. But you’ll need to create your Login.gov or ID.me account to access your information and manage your benefits and care online again.
It’s always your choice whether you want to get an account. Your choice won’t affect your eligibility for VA benefits or health care in any way.
If you don’t get a Login.gov or ID.me account before we remove the My HealtheVet and DS Logon sign-in options, you won’t be able to access your VA information or manage your benefits and care online. But you can always manage your VA benefits and health care by phone, by mail, or in person.
Review our list of helpful VA phone numbers to find the one that matches your specific needs.
Get a list of helpful VA phone numbers
Or find the phone number and address for your local VA health facility, regional office, cemetery, or other location.