This guide to American Samoa veteran benefits covers territorial programs available through the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans & Military Affairs and the federal VA benefits most veterans use—health care, disability compensation, GI Bill® education, and VA home loans. Territorial offerings are thinner than in many U.S. states: federal VA programs dominate day-to-day support. This page focuses on what is documented for veterans and eligible family members living in or returning to American Samoa, updated for 2026.
Programs, eligibility rules, and contact details change. Always confirm with the official agency linked below, the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans & Military Affairs, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before you apply.
American Samoa Veteran Benefits: Population & Overview
American Samoa has a strong culture of military service. The American Samoa Vet Center notes the territory ranks 1st in military recruitment per capita among U.S. states and territories; many veterans return home and need help readjusting and navigating benefits.
Modern, territory-specific VA VetPop headcounts for American Samoa are not as readily published as state summaries. A U.S. Census analysis of the 2010 Island Areas census reported about 14,047 veterans across four Island Areas (American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), with Guam holding the largest share. Treat any single headcount as approximate and prefer updated VA or Census figures when available.
The territorial lead office is the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (ASGOVMA). It provides free advocacy and help applying for federal and territorial benefits.
ASGOVMA contact: (684) 699-2910 · asgovma.com
Geographic reality: Specialty care often requires travel to VA Pacific Islands (Hawaiʻi) or the mainland. Telehealth and local clinic expansion have reduced some travel, but plan for referrals off-island when needed.
What is (and is not) available locally
- Documented territorial programs: ASG government hiring preference, leave accrual credit for military service, job restoration after service, and military leave for Guard/Reserve employees
- Not documented as territory-wide programs: disabled-veteran property tax exemption, territory-funded tuition waiver, veteran-specific motor vehicle fee waivers, or veteran parks passes
- Primary support path: federal VA health care, education, housing, disability, and burial benefits plus ASGOVMA claims navigation
American Samoa Veteran Medical & Healthcare Benefits
VA health care (federal)
Most clinical care for veterans is through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility depends on service history, discharge status, income in some priority groups, and other federal rules—not territorial membership.
- Check eligibility and apply: VA health care eligibility · How to apply (10-10EZ)
- Find facilities: VA facility locator
- Main VA line: 800-698-2411
Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic (Pago Pago)
The local Community Based Outpatient Clinic is part of VA Pacific Islands Health Care System:
- Address: Fiatele Teo Army Reserve Building, Pago Pago, AS 96799
- Hours (general facility): Monday–Friday, about 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (confirm before you go)
- Enrollment / appointments: 1-800-214-1306 (VAPIHCS main)
- VA Health Connect (Pacific): 833-983-0487
- Services can include primary care, lab/pathology, telehealth, women’s health, geriatrics, LGBTQ+ veteran care coordination, and patient advocates
VA has expanded clinic services for American Samoa to reduce travel to Oʻahu and the mainland—confirm current offerings with the clinic. Facility page: Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic · system hub: VA Pacific Islands
American Samoa Vet Center
The American Samoa Vet Center provides confidential readjustment counseling for combat veterans, military sexual trauma (MST) survivors, and eligible family members, plus help navigating VA enrollment and VSOs.
- Location: Ottoville Road, Equator Building, Pago Pago, AS 96799
- Phone (confirm current): 684-699-3760
- After-hours Vet Center call center: 877-927-8387
Territorial medical programs
There is no separate territorial parks, recreation, or local veteran medical insurance program documented beyond federal coverage. Eligible populations use federal VA health care and, when applicable, TRICARE programs (for example TRICARE Reserve Select for qualifying Reserve members). Confirm current status with ASGOVMA or VA.
American Samoa Veteran Housing Benefits
Housing support in American Samoa is primarily federal. Research did not identify a territory-wide disabled-veteran property tax exemption or a standing territory-funded veteran housing loan program comparable to state programs such as CalVet Home Loans.
Federal VA home loan guaranty
Eligible veterans may use the federal VA home loan program through private lenders, and may qualify for adapted-housing grants when federal criteria are met. Certificate of Eligibility and lender underwriting still apply.
Local property tax
Confirm any real-property relief with the American Samoa Tax Office or local government. No standing territory-wide veteran housing tax program was documented in primary sources reviewed for this guide—do not assume a homestead or disabled-veteran exemption exists without official confirmation.
Homeless veterans
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838 (24/7)
- VA homeless programs overview
- HUD-VASH · SSVF
American Samoa Veteran Education Benefits
There is no territorial tuition waiver or territory-funded veteran education program currently listed for American Samoa in official military/veteran benefit summaries. Eligible veterans and dependents rely on federal VA education benefits.
Federal education benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, DEA (Chapter 35), Yellow Ribbon (where schools participate), and VR&E remain the main education paths. Explore: About GI Bill benefits · VA education hub.
American Samoa Community College
American Samoa Community College publishes veterans student-services information for federal benefits certification. Work with the school certifying official (SCO) for enrollment certification under your VA education benefit.
American Samoa Veteran Benefits for Employment & Tax
ASG government hiring preference
American Samoa Government competitive exams provide a hiring preference for eligible veterans:
- +5 points for veterans and surviving spouses
- +10 points for disabled veterans
- Preference is generally not available on promotional exams
- Typical eligibility themes: about 180 consecutive days of active duty (other than training) with honorable discharge, or service-connected disability with honorable discharge; surviving spouses of eligible veterans may qualify
Submit DD-214 and disability documentation as required through the ASG human resources / exam process. Code references: ASBAR veteran preference · preference-eligible definitions
Leave accrual credit for military service
Active-duty military service can count toward American Samoa Government career-service annual leave accrual rates. Retirees are generally excluded except for limited exceptions (for example disability-in-line-of-duty or wartime service paths as defined in code). Cap rules apply—MyArmyBenefits summarizes a limit such as not accruing more than 60 days leave per year under the cited rules. Confirm current code with ASG HR: ASCA § 7.1203.
Restoration after military service
Preference-eligible employees may be restored to a career-service position after military service if they return within 120 days of honorable discharge (code rules apply): ASCA § 7.0208.
Military leave (Guard/Reserve)
ASG employees serving in the Guard or Reserve may receive 15 days paid military leave per fiscal year under territorial rules: military leave regulation.
Federal employment protections
Federal veterans’ preference and USERRA apply to covered employment (federal jobs and other protected reemployment situations).
Income tax (American Samoa Tax Office)
Residents generally file and pay income tax to the American Samoa Tax Office under possession tax rules (see IRS Publication 570), not as a standard IRS state return for all local-source income. Historical contact notes include the Executive Office Building, Pago Pago, and 684-633-4181—verify before you rely on a phone number.
As commonly summarized for American Samoa: military pay and military retired pay are taxable; military disability retirement pay, VA disability compensation/pension, and related disability benefits are generally not taxable (aligned with IRS Publication 525 concepts); DIC is tax-free; SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP-type annuities are typically taxable. Always confirm with the Tax Office for your return: americansamoa.gov/tax-office.
American Samoa Other Veteran Benefits
Motor vehicles and recreation
Official military/veteran benefit summaries list no veteran-specific motor vehicle registration or license benefits through American Samoa DPS Office of Motor Vehicles, and no veteran-specific territorial parks benefits. Federal recreation access (for example the free Military Lifetime Pass for many federal lands) still applies when you visit qualifying U.S. federal sites: NPS Military Lifetime Pass.
Burial and cemeteries
There is no VA national cemetery on American Samoa. Eligible veterans may use national or grant-funded cemeteries elsewhere, including the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Hawaiʻi), Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery, and the CNMI Veterans Cemetery when eligibility and space allow.
- Find cemeteries: NCA cemetery finder
- Eligibility: VA burial eligibility
- Scheduling: 800-535-1117
Federal disability compensation
Monthly tax-free compensation for service-connected disabilities is federal: VA disability · How to file. ASGOVMA or an accredited VSO can help at no charge for basic claims assistance.
National Guard note
American Samoa does not maintain a territorial National Guard component as listed in standard benefit summaries; U.S. Army Reserve presence is associated with 9th Mission Support Command structures. Confirm unit and benefits questions with your service component.
Mental health & suicide prevention
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately: dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat via VA resources. The Vet Center after-hours line is 877-927-8387.
How to Apply for American Samoa Veteran Benefits
- ASG Office of Veterans & Military Affairs — free advocacy and benefits help: (684) 699-2910 · asgovma.com
- VA Clinic enrollment / appointments — 1-800-214-1306 · VA Pacific Islands
- American Samoa Vet Center — 684-699-3760 · after hours 877-927-8387 · Vet Center page
- Federal claims (disability, education, etc.) — va.gov · often coordinated with Pacific / Honolulu VBA pathways · main line 800-698-2411
- ASG employment preference — ASG human resources / exam process with DD-214 and disability documentation as required
- Tax questions — American Samoa Tax Office
- Education certification — school SCO at ASCC or other certifying school · Apply for education benefits
- Accredited representative — Find VA-accredited help
- Crisis support — Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255
Official Resources & Contacts
Use these official links to verify and claim American Samoa veteran benefits. Prefer .gov and official territorial portals over third-party summaries.
| Resource | Link / contact |
|---|---|
| ASG Office of Veterans & Military Affairs | asgovma.com · (684) 699-2910 |
| Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic | Pago Pago · Clinic page · 800-214-1306 |
| VA Pacific Islands Health Care | va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care |
| American Samoa Vet Center | Vet Center · 684-699-3760 |
| VA Health Connect (Pacific) | 833-983-0487 |
| American Samoa Tax Office | americansamoa.gov/tax-office · ~684-633-4181 (verify) |
| American Samoa Community College (veterans) | amsamoa.edu veterans |
| American Samoa Code (ASBAR) | asbar.org |
| VA.gov | va.gov · 800-698-2411 |
| VA facility locator | Find locations |
| GI Bill / education | va.gov/education |
| VA home loans | Home loans |
| VA disability | Disability compensation |
| NCA cemeteries | Find a cemetery |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988 then 1 · text 838255 |
| Homeless veterans hotline | 877-424-3838 |
Proud Veteran provides general information for veterans and families. We do not determine eligibility, provide legal or tax advice, or replace the American Samoa Government, the American Samoa Tax Office, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Territorial programs are limited; verify every benefit with the linked official sources before you apply.
Explore more Western state and territory guides from our West hub.