The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to children of military personnel under a variety of circumstances, including death of a parent who is a veteran or on active duty. It also provides benefits to veterans, military spouses and military parents. Health care, educational scholarships and tuition assistance are just a few of the benefits available to children.
Dependency And Indemnity Compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a benefit offered to the unmarried children, younger than the age of 23, of soldiers whose death or disabling injury occurs during active duty or active duty training. This tax-free monthly compensation payment comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is not based on the military member's pay grade.
Death Pension
Unmarried children younger than the age of 18 whose parent served in wartime, but whose death was not related to military service, may be eligible for the Death Pension according to My Army Benefits, a U.S. Army website. This amount of this needs based benefit is dependent on income and can extend to the age of 23. Disabled children who are incapable of self-support due to a disability acquired before the age of 18 may also be eligible for the Death Pension benefit.
Benefit Retention
Children of military personnel who die while on active duty are entitled to retain some of their current benefits up to the day before the child's 23rd birthday. These benefits include official military identification cards that permit access to on-base shopping, medical services and recreation activities, according to information provided by the National Guard.
Spina Bifida Health Care Program
The VA administers the Spina Bifida Health Care Program for biological children of veterans who served in Korea and Vietnam. Spina bifida is a birth defect involving the incomplete spinal cord development. Eligibility is also dependent on the mother's day of active service which must fall between Sept. 1, 1967, through Aug. 31, 1971, in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program
Biological children of female Vietnam veterans are eligible for the VA administered Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program. This benefit program provides reimbursement for health care services required for children with specific birth defects that result in permanent physical or mental disability. The mother's dates of service in Vietnam must fall between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.
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