Va benefits for surviving spouse of disabled veteran

Substantial financial help is available for survivors of service members interested in pursuing education or vocational training. The government, in some cases, will pay all or a large part of tuition costs for college and other educational programs.

Two key programs that eligible surviving spouses and children should explore are the Fry Scholarship and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

Under the Fry program, the government pays the full cost of in-state tuition at public institutions, or up to about $26,000 a year for a private school, plus a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies. This scholarship, paid directly to the school, was expanded to include surviving spouses in 2014.

Eligible survivors who choose the DEA program instead of the Fry scholarship can get a monthly check sent directly to them to pay educational costs. The maximum amount for full-time students currently is $1,298 per month.

The DEA and Fry programs can be used for college, vocational and business technical programs, apprenticeship programs, certification tests and tutoring.

The federal Forever GI Bill, enacted in 2017, has made it easier for survivors to transfer benefits under the GI Bill after the death of service members.

Eligibility for educational benefits can depend on a number of factors, including the date and circumstances of a veteran's death, the ages of dependent children and the widow or widower's marital status.

Home loans

Surviving spouses who meet certain criteria can get a VA-guaranteed home loan to buy, build or improve a home or to refinance a mortgage. 

VA loans have important advantages over other home loans. In most cases, the buyer does not have to make a down payment on the home. Home buyers using these loans also do not have to pay monthly mortgage insurance premiums.

For those who are refinancing, one option is a cash-out refinance loan, which enables homeowners to get cash from the equity in the home and use it, for example, to pay off debt, pay for education or make home improvements. 

Pension

Survivors of veterans who served during wartime can apply to receive a tax-free VA Survivors Pension, a monthly payment to surviving spouses with modest incomes who have not remarried. The benefit is also available to unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans.

The maximum survivors pension rate is set annually by Congress, and eligibility is based on income and net worth (including assets such as bank accounts, investments and real estate other than your primary residence). In 2022, the top rate for surviving spouses will range from just under $9,900 a year to about $19,000, depending on whether they have children and qualify for other VA benefits. The actual payment amount is the difference between your income and your maximum pension rate.

Burial benefits

Eligible veterans and their spouses and dependents can be buried in one of the 155 national cemeteries maintained by the VA.

Burial benefits for veterans in these cemeteries include opening and closing the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC), at no cost to the family.

Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the veteran, perpetual care of the gravesite, and the spouse or dependents' names and dates of birth and death inscribed on the veteran's headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried in a VA national cemetery even if the veteran is not buried there. 

When veterans are buried at private cemeteries, the government provides a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a PMC. The VA also may pay for some of the burial and funeral expenses. Many states have state veteran cemeteries, which may have residency requirements.

Life insurance

Veterans who receive a disability rating connected to their service can qualify for a Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance  (S-DVI) life insurance policy, which provides up to $10,000 of coverage. Veterans who are totally disabled are eligible to have their premiums waived.

Totally disabled veterans who are approved for a premium waiver can apply for up to $30,000 in additional coverage, but premiums for the supplemental coverage cannot be waived.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published Oct. 17, 2018. It has been updated with 2022 benefit information.

Do Spouses of Disabled Veterans Get Healthcare Benefits?

If your spouse has a 100% disability rating, one benefit you can get is healthcare. VA, through TRICARE, provides healthcare benefits to dependents of disabled vets, including their spouses. Depending on your eligibility, you can enjoy various health programs such as:

• Health plans
• Dental plans
• Prescription medications
• Special needs programs

If you do not qualify for TRICARE, you may get medical benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (CHAMPVA). This program will cover some healthcare expenses such as treatment and medications.

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Education and Training Benefits for Spouses of Disabled Vets

Paying for schooling after your veteran spouse suffers a disabling condition can be challenging. VA provides education benefits to partners or children of vets with a 100% disability or those who died in the line of duty. 

The educational funds you receive can help cover tuition fees, housing, books, and other supplies. 

What Happens if Your Spouse Dies With a 100% Disability?

If your partner dies with a 100% disability, you may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This refers to tax-free monthly benefits sent to the surviving spouses of disabled veterans. Per VA, the base compensation you can receive in 2022 is $1,437.66 per month. 

However, your monthly check may read a higher amount due to various factors. For example:

• If your spouse had a 100% disability for at least eight years before their death and you were married to them for all eight of those years, you can get an additional $305.28 per month.
• If you have a disabling condition that requires regular help with daily activities, you can receive an additional $356.16 per month.
• If you cannot leave the house due to your disability, you may receive an additional $166.84 per month.
• If you have minor children, you can get an additional $306.00 per month for the first two years after your spouse’s death, as well as $356.16 per month for each dependent child.

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What Is a VA Survivors Pension?

VA survivors pensions are payments made to spouses and dependents of deceased veterans. However, if you have remarried or earn an income higher than the eligibility limits set by Congress, you may not qualify.

Like the DIC benefits, survivors’ pension payments are made monthly. The amounts may also change depending on the rates set by Congress.

Since the survivor’s pension benefit is only available to spouses of vets who served during specific wartime periods, it is vital to confirm if your partner was in this category. Contact VA for more information about their deployment history if you are unsure.

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What Are Other Benefits Available to Spouses of Deceased Veterans?

As a spouse of a deceased veteran who had a 100% disability, you can get more benefits from VA, such as:

Free Career and Educational Counseling

Such guidance can help you select a field matching your interest and goals.

Beneficiary Assistance

This includes a wide range of services to help you readjust to life after your partner’s death, such as financial advice and will preparation services.

Home Loan Programs

Paying for housing after your spouse passes can be tricky, especially if you have a mortgage. VA provides partners of veterans who had a 100% disability with home loan programs.

These allow you to seek financing to buy a new home or fund an existing one. You may also use the money to renovate and remodel your property if you have a physical impairment.

To qualify for this benefit, you must present a Certificate of Eligibility to financiers. You must also meet the lender’s income and credit requirements.

A Lawyer Can Help You Determine What Benefits Veteran Spouses Get

If you are the spouse of a 100% disabled vet, it is vital to understand the benefits you can get from VA. You should also confirm what you may be eligible for if your partner is deceased or was in active service during a specific period.

A disability attorney can help you determine eligibility for various VA benefits. They may also guide you in