Deceased veteran spousal benefits are programs that provide your surviving spouse and family members with money and other advantages. Your eligibility is determined after filling out and submitting the official forms for the program you're interested in. Spousal benefits may include educational assistance, as well as health care from the programs TRICARE and CHAMPVA.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
The surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who died while on active duty, training or from service-related malaise, receives a monthly benefit called dependency and indemnity compensation, or DIC, according to information provided by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. This tax-free payment monthly payment is designated for the spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. Some families are eligible for a transitional benefit too. A Casualty Assistance Officer usually submits the VA Form 21-534a, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child with your assistance. Spouses receive a basic monthly payment that may increase depending on your situation.
Survivors' Educational Assistance Program
The Survivors' Educational Assistance Program provides up to 45 months of educational and training opportunities for spouses. As a military spouse, you cannot receive this benefit while on active duty, according to information provided by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Spouses are eligible to receive this deceased veteran benefit up to 10 years from the date of eligibility or date your spouse died. If your spouse died on active duty, you have up to 20 years to claim it. Your selected educational program must be approved for VA training. Complete the VA Form 22-5490 and send it to the VA regional office that has jurisdiction over the State where your education or training will take place. As a part of the Survivors' Educational Assistance Program, you may be eligible for a work-study assistance program and tutorial assistance.
Home Loan Guaranty
Unmarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans are eligible for the Home Loan Guaranty program, according to information provided by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. This benefit applies towards the purchase of a home, condominium, manufactured homes and residential cooperative housing units. Additionally, the surviving spouse can use the Home Loan Guaranty benefit for other purposes, such as refinancing loans. Eligibility is dependent on your credit rating, income and a valid Certificate of Eligibility that is obtained by completing the VA Form 26-1880 and mailing it to the VA Eligibility Center.
References
- United States Department of Veteran Affairs: Survivor Benefits, What VA Offers
- United States Department of Veteran Affairs: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
- United States Department of Veteran Affairs: Chapter 5 Home Loan Guaranty
- Vermont Veteran's Services Directory: Survivor and Family Benefits
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