Losing a service member is an unimaginable pain. We understand you are walking through one of the hardest times in your life. While you are grieving, there are also practical things to sort out, like understanding the surviving spouse’s VA benefits you are entitled to.
This is not about charity; it is about what your loved one earned through their selfless service to our nation. You have earned this support, and we are here to walk you through what the surviving spouse VA benefits system has for you. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers many programs for family members.
Table of Contents:
- What Are The Main Survivor Benefits?
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- VA Survivors Pension
- Accrued Benefits
- Burial and Memorial Benefits
- Home Loan Guaranty
- Education And Training For Spouses and Children
- Healthcare: The CHAMPVA Program
- How To Apply for Surviving Spouse VA Benefits
- Final Thoughts On Your Benefits
- Conclusion
What Are The Main Survivor Benefits?
The Veterans Affairs offers several key benefits for surviving spouses and dependents. It can feel like a lot to take in all at once, so let’s break them down one by one. The main programs include payments, help with education, and health care access.
Think of this as a roadmap to get you started. Each benefit has its own set of rules for who qualifies and how to apply. These veterans’ benefits are in place to provide stability for you and any dependent child.
We will cover the big ones that most surviving spouses will need to know about. This includes monthly payments that can help with financial stability and long-term support for you and your children. Understanding these options is the first step toward securing your future.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
One of the most important forms of survivor compensation you should know about is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC. This is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible survivors of military service members. It is for those who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or disease.
The core idea behind this indemnity compensation is to give some financial stability to the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It acknowledges that the service member’s death was linked to their time in the military. This benefit is a critical lifeline for many families trying to find their footing after a loss.
Who Can Get DIC?
To get DIC, you first must be the surviving spouse of the service member. But there are a few other conditions you need to meet. For instance, you must have been married to the service member for a certain period of time or have children together.
Specifically, the VA looks for one of the following to be true:
- You married the service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused their death began or was aggravated.
- You were married to the service member for at least one year.
- You had a child with the service member.
Additionally, you must have been living with the service member without a break until their death. If you were separated, you cannot have been at fault for the separation. The VA also has rules about remarrying.
Generally, if you remarry before age 57, your DIC payments stop. But if that later marriage ends through death, divorce, or annulment, you may be able to have your DIC benefits reinstated. The VA provides clear rules on its website, which is a great resource for eligible survivors.
How Is The Service Member’s Death Connected?
Eligibility does not just rest on your marital status. The veteran’s death must also meet certain criteria. The VA will grant DIC if the deceased veteran died from a service-connected disability or from a condition that was not service-connected, but the veteran was rated as totally disabled.
This totally disabled rating usually means a 100 percent schedular rating from a service-connected disability. The veteran must have had this rating for at least 10 years before their death, or for at least five years from their date of military discharge. There are other specific scenarios, but these are the most common ones that show a clear link to military service.
DIC Payment Rates
So, how much is the DIC monthly payment? The base rate for an eligible surviving spouse is set each year and adjusted for inflation. As of late 2023, the monthly base rate was over $1,500.
You may also be able to get more money on top of this base rate. For example, there is an add-on amount if the veteran was rated as totally disabled for at least the eight full years immediately before death and you were married to them for those same eight years. There are also allowances for having dependent children under 18.
Another increase is available for surviving spouses who themselves need help with daily activities, known as Aid and Attendance. This benefit recognizes the extra burden placed on a spouse who is permanently incapable of self-care. This is one of many benefits survivor family members can receive.
VA Survivors Pension
Another monthly payment to know about is the VA Survivors’ Pension. This pension benefit is different from DIC. The Survivors’ Pension benefit is a needs-based benefit for surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans.
This means your family’s income and net worth must fall below certain limits set by Congress. Unlike DIC, the service member’s death does not need to be service-connected. This makes it a potential source of help for families who might not qualify for indemnity compensation.
Who Qualifies for a Survivors Pension?
First, the deceased wartime veteran must have met specific service requirements. They generally must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days during a covered wartime period. If they entered active duty after September 7, 1980, they usually must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
For the surviving spouse, you must be unmarried, and your yearly family income must meet the established limits. Your net worth is also a factor, and there are net worth limits set annually by the VA. The VA calculates your income and deducts certain medical expenses to see if you qualify for the pension that surviving spouses can receive.
It is important to remember that you cannot get both DIC and a VA Survivors’ Pension at the same time. The VA will pay you whichever of the pension benefits is greater. So, you do not have to choose which one to apply for; you can apply for both, and the VA will sort it out for you to determine what the surviving spouse’s entitled amount is.
The VA uses a figure called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) to determine eligibility. If your countable income is higher than the MAPR, you are not eligible for the pension. If it is lower, the VA pays you the difference.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) | The maximum dollar amount that can be paid to a claimant. This is set by Congress and varies based on dependents, if the spouse needs Aid & Attendance, etc. |
| Countable Income | Income from most sources, such as wages, retirement payments, and investments. The VA subtracts certain deductible expenses, like out-of-pocket medical costs. |
| Net Worth | The value of your assets, like bank accounts and property (excluding your primary residence). There are worth limits set each year that you cannot exceed. |
| Pension Payment | The difference between your countable income and the MAPR, paid in monthly installments. (MAPR – Countable Income = Annual Pension). |
Understanding the current pension rates and net worth limits is important. These figures change annually, so it is a good idea to check the official VA website for the most current information before you apply.
Accrued Benefits
Sometimes a veteran’s death occurs while they have a claim for VA benefits pending. If the VA later approves that claim, the money that would have been paid to the veteran may be payable to an eligible survivor. These are known as accrued benefits.
These are benefits the veteran was due but did not receive before they passed away. This can include a retroactive payment from an initial disability claim or an increased rating. A surviving spouse or surviving child may be eligible to receive this payment.
To receive accrued benefits, you must file a claim within one year of the veteran’s death. This is a strict deadline, so acting quickly is important. These funds can provide a significant one-time payment to help with expenses after a loss.
Burial and Memorial Benefits
The VA also helps families honor their loved ones with dignity. When a veteran passes away, their survivors can get burial benefits. This includes a burial allowance to help cover costs and interment in a VA national cemetery.
Eligibility for burial benefits is quite broad. It covers most veterans who were discharged under conditions other than a dishonorable discharge. The VA’s national cemeteries are beautiful and well-maintained places of rest for service members and women veterans alike.
These services can take a huge weight off a family’s shoulders during a difficult time. Burial benefits can include a gravesite, the opening and closing of the grave, and a liner for the casket. They also give a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family.
If you choose to bury your loved one in a private cemetery, the VA may still help pay for some of the expenses. This is called a burial allowance. The amount depends on whether the veteran’s death was service-connected or not, but it certainly helps ease the financial burden.
Home Loan Guaranty
Many service members use the VA home loan program to buy a house. This valuable benefit can also extend to surviving spouses. If you are an eligible surviving spouse, you may be able to get a VA-guaranteed loan.
You can use this loan to buy, build, or improve a home. One of the biggest perks of a VA-guaranteed home loan is that it usually does not require a down payment. You also do not have to pay private mortgage insurance, which can save you a lot of money over the life of the loan.
Generally, you may qualify for this if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disability and you have not remarried. There are a few other specific cases where a surviving spouse might qualify as well. Getting your Certificate of Eligibility for a spouse is the first step in this process.
Education And Training For Spouses and Children
Beyond financial help, the VA offers strong educational support programs. The main one for families is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. It is also known as Chapter 35 benefits.
This program can give you or your children money to help pay for school or job training at a VA-approved school. The benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. These can be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
DEA Program Eligibility
To qualify for DEA, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of a veteran or service member who meets certain criteria. This includes those who died or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability. It also applies if the service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty.
If you are a spouse, the benefits end 10 years from the date the VA finds you eligible or from the date of the veteran’s death. But if the veteran was rated permanently and totally disabled with an effective date three years from discharge, the benefit ends 20 years from that date. This provides a longer window for spouses to use this valuable educational support.
Healthcare: The CHAMPVA Program
Access to healthcare is a huge concern for anyone, especially after losing a spouse. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or CHAMPVA, can help. This is a comprehensive VA health care program where the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.
It is important to understand that CHAMPVA is separate from TRICARE. TRICARE is the healthcare program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In most cases, if you are eligible for TRICARE, you are not eligible for CHAMPVA.
Who Can Get CHAMPVA?
So, who can get CHAMPVA? Generally, you qualify as a spouse or widow of a veteran who meets certain criteria. For instance, the veteran must have been rated as permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability at the time of death.
Or, the veteran must have died from a VA-rated service-connected disability. You can also qualify if the veteran died on active duty, as long as it was not due to misconduct. Your dependent children can also be eligible for this va health coverage.
To use CHAMPVA, you first need to apply and get approved. Once you are in the program, you can see almost any licensed healthcare provider. The VA then pays a portion of the covered costs, and you pay the rest, making health care much more affordable.
How To Apply for Surviving Spouse VA Benefits
Knowing what is out there is the first step. The next step is to apply. The VA has tried to make the process as straightforward as possible, but it still requires some paperwork.
You will need to fill out forms and provide supporting documents for your claim. For almost all of these benefits, you can start the process online through the VA website. If you run into any trouble signing in or using the site, help is available.
You can also get help from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or through VA outreach programs at a local VA location. These groups offer free help to veterans and their families to file claims for VA benefits. They can be a fantastic resource during a confusing time.
Gathering your documents is a key part of the process after the veteran’s death. You will likely need the veteran’s DD-214, your marriage certificate, your children’s birth certificates, and the veteran’s death certificate. Having these papers ready will make the process go much smoother.
Final Thoughts On Your Benefits
This is a lot of information to take in, especially during a time of grief. Do not feel like you have to figure it all out today. Take your time, and do not be afraid to ask for help from the resources available.
These benefits are not a replacement for your loved one. But they are a form of support that your family has earned through their dedicated military service. They can give some measure of financial security and open doors for you and your children’s futures.
Conclusion
Remember that you are not alone in this process. Many organizations, including the VA itself, are ready and willing to help you get the surviving spouse VA benefits you deserve. Taking that first step by reaching out for help can make all the difference in moving forward after your loss.