Just like Veterans and military members’ families are eligible for a VA home loan, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are also qualified, meaning they can secure $0 down payment mortgage.
The VA home loan benefit was created to help Veterans, military members, and their families. But members of the lesser-known non-military uniformed services, the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, can also be eligible for this $0 down payment mortgage.
The benefits and the mortgage process aren’t any different for these non-military borrowers. The challenge can be establishing eligibility. These prospective buyers must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), just like any other Veteran or military member.
Getting your COE as a VA employee does require a little bit of paperwork, however. Let’s get into it.
VA Loan Process for PHS & NOAA Officers
Eligibility guidelines for Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officers typically follow general VA eligibility guidelines for any other Veteran or active duty service member.
Only the VA can determine whether you’re eligible for the VA home loan benefit. PHA and NOAA officers can work with a lender to try and obtain their Certificate of Eligibility or seek the document themselves.
In either case, the COE is the only way to be sure you’re eligible for a VA home loan.
VA Loan Eligibility for Public Health Service (PHS)
Public Health Service officers can submit to a lender PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service – Verification of Status of Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service. This document is basically the Public Health Service’s version of the DD-214.
In turn, lenders can often upload this form to the VA’s online portal and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for qualified buyers.
Public Health Service officers who can’t locate a copy of the Statement of Service can contact the PHS at 301-594-3064 or write to:
Personnel Services Branch, Division of Commissioned Personnel
U.S. Public Health Service
Room 4-35, Parklawn Building
5600 Fisher’s Lane
Rockville, MD 29857
Prospective buyers can also contact their VA Regional Loan Center with questions or for more eligibility information.
VA Loan Eligibility for NOAA Officers
Similarly, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officers can submit their unique paperwork to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. For these would-be buyers, it’s NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge.
Prospective borrowers who don’t have this document can contact NOAA at 301-713-3453 or write to:
Commissioned Personnel Center
Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
NOAA officers can also direct their questions to their VA Regional Loan Center.
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