How do Veteran Death Benefits Work?
Many veterans in the United States are welcome to what are known as “Veteran Benefits” – and these benefits often extend beyond a veteran’s death. A spouse or child of a veteran may be entitled to benefits after a veteran passes away. What are the death benefits for the spouse of a veteran? And what are the different types of veteran death benefits? This article answers these questions and provides more detailed insight into the sometimes confusing world of veteran benefits in the US.
What are veteran death benefits?
Veteran death benefits are services and financial support provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to honor deceased veterans and assist their families. These benefits may include burial in a national cemetery, a government-provided headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. The VA may also offer financial assistance for funeral and burial costs, particularly for service-connected deaths. Additionally, eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents may receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments. These benefits recognize the veteran’s service and help ease the financial burden on their loved ones.
When a veteran dies, is there a death benefit for the spouse?
A surviving spouse of a deceased veteran is eligible for various benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government programs. These benefits are designed to honor the veteran's service and support their loved ones. The amount of veteran death benefits received by the surviving spouse can vary depending on several factors, including:
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Service-connected death: If the veteran’s death was due to a service-connected disability, the spouse might be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monetary benefit.
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Non-service-connected death: For deaths not related to military service, benefits such as Survivors Pension or burial allowances may be available, subject to income limits and eligibility criteria.
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Rank and length of service: The veteran's rank and length of service can influence the benefits, particularly for burial costs and survivor pensions.
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Eligibility for VA insurance payouts: If the veteran had VA life insurance, the payout amount will depend on the policy terms and coverage.
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Dependents: The presence of dependent children can impact the amount of benefits received under certain VA programs.
Considering these variables, it’s important to stay informed and know what you may be eligible for. If you’re ever at a loss, the VA has a lot of resources and information about the benefits and their process available to people online. If you’re a veteran’s spouse and are seeking benefits after a death, exploring what’s available to you can help you cover important costs and financial responsibilities.
Who is eligible for veteran benefits?
Eligibility for veteran benefits depends on several factors, including the type of benefit sought, the veteran’s service history, and the applicant’s relationship to the veteran. Below is a breakdown of general eligibility criteria, though exceptions and restrictions may apply:
1. Veterans
Veterans themselves may qualify for benefits if they meet the following criteria:
- Military service: Active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
- Discharge status: Discharge must not be dishonorable (e.g., honorable, general under honorable conditions).
- Length of service: Varies depending on when and how the veteran served (e.g., post-1980 active-duty service generally requires 24 months or the full period called to serve).
2. Surviving spouses
Surviving spouses of veterans may qualify for benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), VA Survivors Pension, or burial benefits if they meet the following conditions:
- Marriage requirements:Married to the veteran at the time of death and marriage lasted at least one year, or they had a child together.
- Remarriage: Benefits may be affected if the spouse remarries, although some benefits can continue depending on the spouse’s age and circumstances.
3. Dependents
Children or dependent parents of veterans may qualify for benefits if they meet certain conditions:
- Children: Unmarried and under 18 (or under 23 if attending an approved school) or permanently disabled before age 18.
- Parents:: May be eligible for specific benefits (e.g., VA Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, AKA, DIC) if the veteran’s death was service-connected.
4. National Guard and reservists
Members of the National Guard or Reserves may qualify for benefits if they meet specific criteria:
- Active duty requirement: Had at least one period of active federal service.
- Disability or death benefits: Eligibility for benefits like DIC or pensions may depend on service-connected disabilities or death during qualifying service.
Do veteran spouses get burial benefits?
It might surprise you to learn that veteran burial benefits and many other helpful benefits extend not only to many veterans, but to their spouses and dependents as well. It’s important to note here that not every benefit is available to every spouse of a veteran, and several factors may impact the amount of benefits received by each veteran. For example, 100 percent disabled veteran benefits for a spouse after death aren’t going to look exactly the same as a veteran who was dishonorably discharged. Here are some of the death benefits available for the spouse of a veteran:
1. Burial and memorial benefits
- Interment in a national cemetery: A surviving spouse can be buried alongside the veteran in a VA national cemetery at no cost. This includes:
- Gravesite
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Perpetual care
- A government-furnished headstone or marker
- Presidential memorial certificate: A certificate signed by the President commemorating the veteran's service.
- Burial flag: Typically issued to honor the veteran but may be used during a spouse’s burial.
- Headstone or marker for private cemeteries: If buried in a private cemetery, the spouse may request a government-furnished headstone or marker.
- Reimbursement for funeral costs: In limited cases, reimbursement for burial and funeral expenses is available (if tied to the veteran's benefits).
2. Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC)
- What it is: A monthly tax-free payment to eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
- Eligibility: The veteran's death must be connected to their military service, or the veteran was totally disabled due to service-connected conditions for a specific period before death.
3. Survivor’s pension (Death Pension)
- What it is: A tax-free monetary benefit for low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans.
- Eligibility: Based on income and net worth limits, as well as the veteran’s wartime service.
4. Education and training
- Fry Scholarship: Provides education benefits similar to the Post-9/11 GI Bill for spouses and children of service members who died in the line of duty.
- Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA): Offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits for eligible spouses to pursue degree programs, apprenticeships, or certification courses.
5. Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA): Provides health insurance for surviving spouses who do not qualify for TRICARE.
- Eligibility: The veteran must have been permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition or died due to one.
6. Home loan benefits
- Surviving spouses may qualify for a VA-backed home loan with no down payment and competitive interest rates. Benefits include:
- Access to the VA Home Loan Program
- Exemption from the VA funding fee for qualifying surviving spouses.
7. Life insurance
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Death Gratuity: A one-time payment of $100,000 to families of service members who die on active duty.
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Proceeds may be available if the veteran had a VGLI policy.
8. State-Specific Benefits
- Many states offer additional benefits, such as property tax exemptions, free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses, or educational benefits. Check with your state’s veterans’ affairs office for details.
For assistance, contact the VA Survivors Benefits Office or visit the VA website.
If you or your family need support with unexpected expenses after the loss of a veteran, consider setting up a free memorial website on Ever Loved. A memorial website provides a meaningful way to honor your loved one’s life while offering the ability to raise money for costs such as funeral services, burial expenses, or other needs. Ever Loved sites are easy to create, customizable, and allow friends, family, and the community to contribute directly and securely.
