# Benefits Intake API

> Benefits Intake API on Apizie: 6 endpoints (Accepts document upload., Get a location for subsequent document upload PUT request, Get a bulk status report for a list of previous uploads, Validate an individual document against system file requirements, …) returned as clean JSON through one API key. Send your own provider key in the x-upstream-key header. Call it over REST at https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/{endpoint} or from Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor through the Apizie MCP server. Free plan: 1,000 requests a month.

- Project key: `open-data:va-benefits`
- Category: Open Data
- Status: byok
- Source: https://va.gov
- Page: https://zieapi.vercel.app/api/open-data/va-benefits
- OpenAPI: https://zieapi.vercel.app/api/open-data/va-benefits/openapi.json

The Benefits Intake API allows authorized third-party systems used by Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), agencies, and Veterans to digitally submit VA benefits claim documents directly to the Veterans Benefits…

## Endpoints

### Accepts document upload.
`POST https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/put-benefits-document-upload` (byok)

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content-MD5 | string | no | Base64-encoded 128-bit MD5 digest of the message. Use for integrity control |

### Get a location for subsequent document upload PUT request
`POST https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/post-benefits-document-upload` (byok)

### Get a bulk status report for a list of previous uploads
`POST https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/get-benefits-document-upload-status-report` (byok)

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| body | object | yes | JSON request body |

### Validate an individual document against system file requirements
`POST https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/post-benefits-document-upload-validate-document` (byok)

### Get status for a previous benefits document upload
`GET https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/get-benefits-document-upload-status` (byok)

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | string | yes | ID as returned by a previous create upload request |

### Download zip of "what the server sees"
`GET https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/get-benefits-document-upload-download` (byok)

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | string | yes | ID as returned by a previous create upload request |

## Example
```
curl "https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/put-benefits-document-upload" \
  -H "x-api-key: $APIZIE_KEY" \
  -H "x-upstream-key: $PROVIDER_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### How do I call the Benefits Intake API?
Create a free Apizie key, then send POST https://zieapi.vercel.app/v1/open-data:va-benefits/put-benefits-document-upload with the header x-api-key. Every endpoint returns { project, data, timestamp }.

### Is the Benefits Intake API free on Apizie?
Yes. The Free plan includes 1,000 requests a month at 100 requests a minute, no credit card. Benefits Intake itself also needs your own key from va.gov.

### Can AI agents use the Benefits Intake API?
Yes. Add the Apizie MCP server (https://zieapi.vercel.app/mcp) to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or VS Code, then ask in plain language. The agent calls run_scraper with project key open-data:va-benefits.

### What is the status of the Benefits Intake API?
Needs your own provider key (bring your own key)