Introduction
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a governmental agency dedicated to serving and honoring the men and women who committed to our country through military service. One monumental way in which the VA takes responsibility for our veterans is through the provision of VA Family Benefits. These VA benefits are vital in ensuring a quality and secure lifestyle for families of service members.
Understanding VA Family Benefits
VA family benefits are compensation packages provided by the VA to cater to the needs of the families of veterans who have either passed away or are severely disabled. These veterans’ benefits exist to provide aid to the families, ensuring that the dependents are not left stranded.
The main goal of VA is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” Therefore, VA strives to make life manageable for the affected families through programs intended to cushion them during difficult times.
Types of VA Family Benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Eligibility for this compensation rests on the deceased service member having died due to a service-related cause or being completely disabled due to service before death. Requirements such as valid marriage certificates and death certificates are necessary for processing the application.
Survivors Pension
The VA Survivors Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased service member.
Being eligible for the VA survivors pension demands that the deceased veteran served during wartime, and the surviving spouse or child should meet the low-income criteria set by the VA. After meeting the requirements, an application through the Veterans Benefits Administration is necessary.
Educational and Career Counseling
VA’s Educational and Career Counseling service is a great opportunity for veterans and their families to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA education benefits, and achieve their goals.
Eligibility for the VA education benefit often extends to members who are transitioning out of the military, veterans who recently left the military, as well as dependents who are on VA education benefits. To access this education benefit, interested individuals should apply using VA Form 22-1990.
Home Loan Assistance
VA home loan assistance benefits include mortgage servicing assistance, default prevention, and loan servicing for veterans. The VA home loan helps Service members, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners.
To qualify for VA Home Loan Assistance, an individual must fall within VA’s basic service requirements and have a valid certificate of eligibility. The application process often involves getting a home loan certificate of eligibility and meeting with VA-approved lenders.
Benefits for Children of Veterans
Education Benefits: Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a VA education benefit for those who have served on active duty for 90 or more days after Sept. 10, 2001. These veterans’ benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a “percentage of benefit” scenario.
Children of veterans are eligible if the veteran transfers the unused portions of their benefits to them. Application for this benefit involves filling out the application form, VA Form 22-1990e.
VA Health Care
Health care benefits under the VA mainly fall under the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA). This VA health care program provides coverage to the spouse or widow(er) and to the children of a Veteran who died or is substantially and permanently disabled.
Qualifying factors for eligibility for VA health care majorly surround the relationship with the veteran and their health or death circumstances. Applying for CHAMPVA health care benefits requires submitting VA Form 10-10d.
Burial Benefits
The VA provides burial benefits to eligible veterans which can include a gravesite in any of our national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, military funeral honors, and other benefits.
Eligibility for this benefit rests on the veteran having met a minimum active service requirement. Application for burial benefits can be done through the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office.
Important Regulations and Policies
VA benefits revolve around the eligibility rules, application, and appeal processes. Essentially, eligibility for most benefits is based on the status of the veteran – the nature of their service, disability status, and in some cases, their death.
The application processes for the various benefits are usually performed by filling out the relevant VA forms, often available on their main website.
The VA also has a channel for filing disputes and appeals. It is important to note that each basis of disagreement has its appeal process.
VA Family Benefits are phenomenal in supplementing the lives of family members of our veterans. From financial support to educational benefits to health care provisions, these benefits are an undeniable help to these families. Veterans Affairs encourages eligible beneficiaries to take the initiative and make use of these benefits.
