VA Survivors Benefits for a Veteran’s Spouse, Children, and Parents

When a veteran passes away, the veteran’s spouse, children, and parents may be eligible for VA survivors benefits.  There are several different types of survivor benefits.  This article discusses some of those benefits.

Dependency and indemnity compensation

The first type of VA survivors benefit is known as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or DIC.  This benefit is available to eligible survivors when the veteran’s death was caused by a service-connected condition or when the veteran was 100% disabled by VA for 10 years or more prior to death.

Survivor’s pension

Another VA survivors benefit is a survivor’s pension.  The veteran’s spouse and children can be eligible for this benefit.  The requirements for receiving a survivor’s pension are different that the requirements for DIC benefits.

In order to qualify for a survivor’s pension, the recipient must have an income below a certain established level.  The income requirements change year to year.

Also, the veteran must have had a certain period of active duty service with at least one day in an active war period.  It is important to note that the requirement of one day in an active war period does not mean that the veteran had to have been involved in combat operations.  It is generally sufficient if the veteran was simply on active duty while there was a war ongoing.

To find out more about survivor’s pension, read our detailed survivor’s pension article.

Education benefits

Education benefits have been extended to surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty since September 1, 2001.  Those spouses may be eligible for 36 months of financial assistance for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, housing, books, and school supplies.

This educational benefit known as the Fry Scholarship had previously only been available to children. There are deadlines for when the benefit must be used.  More information about eligibility and the assistance provided by the Fry Scholarship can be found here.

Questions

There are many types of benefits available to survivors of veterans. Sometimes, survivors may be eligible for more than one type of benefit.

It is also important to understand that these benefits can affect each other. For example, children who start receiving the Fry Scholarship will have to give up their DIC benefits, but spouses generally do not.

If you have questions about survivors benefits, we are glad to try to help you.  You can schedule a free consultation by calling the phone number or complete the “Need Help” form on the right side of this page.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

I highly recommend going to Perkins studdard for VA claims! We have been fighting with the VA on service connected disabilities for 5 years and they helped us get our claims processed. Thank you guys!!!Chelsea
Recommend 100% After calling many attorneys and being turned away. They took my case and did amazingly well. They were patient and respectful throughout the process. Thease guys are legit and know their stuff!!!Mary Ann Sotelo
Great people, Great Service 100% Satisfied and has recommended them to a few people.Flo N Scnts Johnson
Happy and impressed working with Perkins Studdard to help me through the VA claim maze. Don't hesitate to contact them for help. You cannot do it alone.Jim & Linda Woychik
My experience with this firm was overwhelmingly awesome! My attorney is very knowledgeable in veteran law and the rest of the staff is polite and they answer emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend Perkins Studdard for you VA claim needs.Juan Armenta
Couldn’t be happier with the service they provided me. After so much time spent working with the VA to grant me disability for my service connected disabilities I was denied. Exhausted with the process and ready to give up a friend recommended this firm to assist me with an appeal. They handled all of it, keeping me updated regularly on progress, and eventually getting me the disability rating that was due. This was the happiest I’ve been to pay an invoice for services received.Kendall Lucy
100 % recomendable, in my humble opinion they are the best. I am very grateful with their assistance in filling my claim with the VA and winning They have done an outstanding job. They are professional ThanksFrancisco Javier Pérez A
They assessed my case as being potentially tdiu qualified and got to work right away. I only provided the information they asked me for and let them do their work. I didn’t hound them, I didn’t pester them, I just let them do their work and provided what they asked for and trusted the process. Within a few months or so I was awarded a tdiu rating. In my case I’m a combat vet of oef, but the Va had denied me twice for a benefit that I know I qualified for. The Perkins-studdard firm got the the benefit I deserved and I am eternally grateful for their expertise and hard work.M C
Jason provided provided outstanding counsel and support. His communication was exemplary, with prompt and informative responses to all my inquiries. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, transforming a potentially stressful experience into a positive one. I cannot recommend their services highly enough. Thanks Jason!Cody
I saw Travis on some YouTube videos. It was the way he worded things, I just felt compelled to contact them about my situation, he seemed trustworthy. Travis told me he thought he could help me. I was hesitant, but proceeded. The claim process was long, but my claim was granted. They are organized and punctual. Jessica and Travis are a strong team. I feel the Lord led me to Perkins & Studdard. I consider Travis an advocate and friend. ThanksCorby Reese

Related Posts

Contrast:

Font Size: