State benefits

Veterans Benefits in American Samoa

American Samoa veterans are eligible for 4 state and federal benefit programs, including Employment, Legal, Other. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs and application paths.

4 programs3 categoriesOfficial source linked on every program

Employment

Which employment benefits does American Samoa offer to veterans?

American Samoa Career Service Veterans' Preference (opens in a new tab)

Value: 5 extra points on ASG career service exams, 10 for disabled veterans, plus tie-break and pass-over review rights

Veterans applying for American Samoa Government career service jobs receive extra points added to their passing score on open competitive examinations: 10 points for a disabled veteran and 5 points for a veteran or the unremarried widow of a veteran. Preference eligibles are also listed ahead of others with identical scores, and when three or more preference eligibles are certified for a vacancy, only a preference eligible may be appointed.

Agency: American Samoa Government, Department of Manpower Resources

Note: CRITICAL ELIGIBILITY LIMIT: A.S.C.A. 7.0202(b) defines preference eligible as a US national of American Samoan ANCESTRY who is a veteran, a disabled veteran, or the unmarried widow of a veteran, so the 5-point tier is restricted by ancestry. Veteran requires at least 180 consecutive days of active duty other than training, separated under honorable conditions. Disabled veteran requires a present service-connected disability or receipt of VA compensation, with NO minimum percentage. A drafting asymmetry leaves the 10-point tier apparently not ancestry-restricted while the 5-point tier is; confirm with ASG HR. If an appointing authority passes over a preference eligible it must file written reasons the Director reviews and can overrule.

Apply Source

American Samoa Career Service Restoration After Military Duty (opens in a new tab)

Value: Right to reclaim your prior ASG career service position and salary after military service

An American Samoa Government career service employee who is ordered to active or reserve duty in the US Armed Forces has a statutory right to be restored to the exact career service position they held when they were ordered to duty. The right must be exercised within 120 days of release from duty under honorable conditions.

Agency: American Samoa Government, Department of Manpower Resources

Note: A.S.C.A. 7.0208. This applies ONLY to people who already held an ASG career service position before being ordered to duty; it is not an open hiring benefit. The 120-day clock runs from release from duty, and release must be under honorable conditions. This is a territory-law analogue to federal USERRA rights, which may also independently apply. A related provision, A.S.C.A. 7.0209, entitles a preference eligible separated without misconduct to have their name placed back on the register for every position they are qualified for, on request.

Apply Source

Legal

Which legal benefits does American Samoa offer to veterans?

American Samoa Office of Veterans and Military Affairs Advocacy and Claims Assistance (opens in a new tab)

Value: Free advocacy and claims assistance; the only in-territory veterans office

The ASG Office of Veterans and Military Affairs acts as the on-island advocate for American Samoa veterans, active-duty members and their families, at no charge. Staff help with VA compensation issues, benefits reviews and follow-ups, and funeral arrangements, and the office also assists with healthcare, mental health, employment, education, housing, ID.me registration, and survivor matters.

Agency: American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA)

Note: PRIMARILY FEDERAL-CLAIMS ASSISTANCE. The office was created by Fono Mandate in 1999 and does not itself pay any territory-funded cash benefit; nearly everything it delivers is help obtaining FEDERAL VA benefits. Since February 2022 it has been the territory lead on veteran suicide prevention under the Governor's Challenge. Start by completing the Veterans Registration Form on the Forms page. P.O. Box 2586, Pago Pago, AS 96799; (684) 699-2910. Its own Programs page currently renders no available programs, so no territory-funded program list exists.

Apply Source

Other

Which additional benefits does American Samoa offer to veterans?

American Samoa Veterans Computer Workstation (opens in a new tab)

Value: Free computer, high-speed internet, printing, and VA telehealth video access

The ASG Office of Veterans and Military Affairs operates a free dedicated computer workstation facility for American Samoa veterans and their families. It provides high-speed internet, printing and document services, cameras set up for VA telehealth appointments, ID.me setup and login support, online educational resources, and staff help with online applications and job searches.

Agency: American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA)

Note: One of the few tangible territory-provided services for American Samoa veterans, and it matters disproportionately where residential broadband is limited: the telehealth cameras are the practical route to VA video appointments without leaving the island. No eligibility screen, disability rating or discharge standard is published. Walk-in service, no online application; (684) 699-2910. Hours are not published and current staffing is UNCONFIRMED.

Apply Source

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What benefits does American Samoa offer to disabled veterans?

American Samoa offers 4 veteran benefit programs spanning Employment, Legal, Other. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.

Do I need a specific disability rating to qualify for American Samoa veteran benefits?

Many American Samoa benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.

Do I need to be a American Samoa resident to claim state veteran benefits?

Most American Samoa state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.

Can I stack American Samoa benefits with federal VA benefits?

Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from American Samoa does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.

Where do I apply for American Samoa veteran benefits?

Applications for American Samoa state benefits are typically submitted through the American Samoa Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.

Is an honorable discharge required to qualify for American Samoa veteran benefits?

Most American Samoa state benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Most federal VA benefits require a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, but the GI Bill is stricter: the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty requires an honorable discharge, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill ordinarily does too. With an other-than-honorable discharge, VA makes a character-of-discharge determination, and some benefits may still be available; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.

Sources & Authorities

1.
American Samoa Government, Department of Manpower Resources (opens in a new tab)
Agency · Employment benefit source — American Samoa
2.
American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (OVMA) (opens in a new tab)
Agency · Legal benefit source — American Samoa
3.
38 CFR Part 3 — Adjudication (opens in a new tab)
CFR · Federal regulations governing VA disability compensation and pension
4.
VA.gov Benefits Navigator (opens in a new tab)
Agency · Official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits portal

VeteranHQ

Discover All Benefits You Qualify For

Our engine matches your service history, disability rating, and location against every available benefit program to find what you qualify for.

Get Personalized Results