In 1944, the Veterans’ Preference Act was accepted in the United States. Since then, people who have retired from military service can apply for various benefits and assistance. You, as a veteran, can get the highest score or 10-point preference that may give you access to a significant number of perks (for instance, benefits when you look for a job).
If you want to claim such status for yourself, you have to fill out the OPM SF-15 Form. This document is created and filed by either veterans or their relatives. It is then checked, and a filer receives a claimed preference if they are considered eligible for that.
In the form, you will provide information about yourself and your participation in military service. You will need to prepare additional documents; the template has instructions on what to prepare and submit exactly. Below, you can see instructions on how to complete the two-page template.
There are certain requirements you have to meet if you are thinking of filing this document. For one, you have to be retired already. It is a plus if you have left the military service with any honors. Additionally, if you are disabled because of the service, you can receive more benefits. Check the governmental guidelines on the topic (for example, those provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs).
The decision regarding your points and preferences will be made on the basis of several factors: how many years you have served in the army, what honors you have gotten, and what damage has been done to your health. In case of a positive decision, you will be able to get more benefits.
Your spouse or other family members can claim preferences, too. If you die, your widow can also submit the form.
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Most likely, you will be able to complete the form on your own easily. If you are disabled and cannot fill out the template by yourself, ask your spouse or another family member for help.
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Insert the Applicant’s Details
The one who creates the form should provide their details: name and home address.
Enter the Veteran Info
Here, you should write the aspiring veteran’s name, branch, and dates of service.
Choose the Claim Type(s)
There are various claim types you can choose in frames of 10-point preference. Choose the applicable points and answer additional questions (if you are a wife or a widow applying instead of a veteran, you have to provide details about your matrimony).
The first two types are tied to the veteran’s disability; the third type is for their living spouse. The other two types are for widows and mothers, respectively.
On the right-hand column of the chart, you will see instructions telling what documents should be provided with the application. They are labeled with letters (A, B, C, and so on), and you can see the definition on the template’s second page.
Find Out What Documents You Need
Read carefully the content given on the second page. Here, you will understand what documents you need exactly. Those can be statements from the US Department of Veteran Affairs, DD-214 Form, DD-1300 Form, records from the Armed Forces, and other papers.
Answer about the Veteran’s Job
Below the chart where the needed documents are listed, you will see an additional chart about the veteran’s job (regardless of if they are alive and working or not).
Answer if the veteran is currently working. If yes, define its current occupation. If no, skip line 2 and move to line 3, where you will tell about the veteran’s occupation before they have started working for the military service.
Respond to questions about military occupation and employment by the Federal civil service or D.C. Government. Provide the demanded details about such employment. If the veteran gets a civil service retirement pension, answer affirmatively by checking the “yes” box and add the veteran’s CSA (Civil Service annuity) or Federal employee retirement annuity number.
When the document is ready, you have to accompany it with the documents listed in the template and submit the whole package to the agency where you are trying to apply for Federal employment, as written in the instructions of the US Office of Personnel Management (or OPM). This agency will review your package and define whether you are eligible for employment or not.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the form, you can turn to OPM. This governmental institution supports all residents in matters linked to job search and provides various services to those who are retired or veterans. Its contact details are available on the official webpage.
