Veterans Tip of the Week - Survivor Benefits
Please Share with Your Spouse!
This may be an uncomfortable topic, a sad topic, a topic families do not
want to talk about, but it is one every veteran should have with their
spouse. I was surprised to learn just how many benefits are available to
veteran and military survivors. That is, the spouse and dependent
children of a military member killed in the line of duty, or veteran who
passes away as a result of a service connected injury or illness.
#gogetrated
Here is the VA's overview page on the subject:
https://explore.va.gov/spouses-depend....
There are Eight benefit programs listed there. Each program has its own
specific eligibility requirements, so follow the links and read them
carefully.
As far as the two I've been asked about, Disability benefits and Burial
benefits for spouses, here are a few more details.
Burial Benefits for the Veteran and the Spouse:https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_ben...
So to start the language is always that the veteran or spouse "may" be
eligible, but here are the basics. Any veteran discharged under
conditions other than dishonorable, may be eligible for burial at a
National Cemetery. A Veteran’s spouse, surviving spouse, minor children,
and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with
disabilities, may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and
children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran. This means
if they pass first. Another important thing to look at is a "pre-need"
application for the benefit. This means that you can get an eligibility
determination while both the veteran and the spouse are still with us.
If this is an issue for you and your family, you can get the answer up
front.
https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/pre-need/i...
Dependent and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):https://www.benefits.va.gov/…/types-d...
Is a benefit paid to survivors of military who pass in the line of duty;
and veterans who pass as a result of a service connected injury or
illness. This is a tax-free monetary benefit designed to compensate for
the economic loss resulting from the service member's or veteran's
death. In the case where there is no spouse or children, the parents of
the veteran may be eligible Parents DIC.
So the big take away here is, there are some benefits available for
eligible spouses if the military member dies in the line of duty or
veteran passes as a result of a service connected injury or illness. If
you find yourself in a situation like this, I am sorry for your loss,
but know that there are some resources out there. The veteran in your
life EARNED these benefit through their swearing of an oath; and their
service to our county. Think of it as a final gift from them to you.
In most cases the key to unlocking this gift, is a service connected
injury or illness -
#gogetrated
https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSAT...
As always, please feel free to PM me if you have questions regarding you
VA Benefits. If I don't know the answer, we will find it together.
#gogetrated