Spouses and dependents of veterans are reminded that they may be eligible for Social Security benefits. But not always children; dependents can be some parents as well. There are several benefits that the veteran’s family could take advantage of.
They might qualify for financial or educational assistance, home loans, survivors pension or VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.). As a result, there are lots of options for spouses, dependent children and parents who qualify.
Social Security and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
The first suggestion from the administration is if one of your household veterans passes away. In fact, eligible beneficiaries will receive a monthly payment.
The payment can be to the surviving spouse, dependent parents or children. The benefit can be claimed when the veteran dies in a service-related illness or injury or in the line of duty.
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VA: Accrued benefits
This will be a one-time payment for eligible spouses, dependent parents or children, and Social Security claims. But to qualify, you must be a spouse or dependent of “a deceased veteran based upon relationship when the record shows additional benefits.”.
VA: Other benefits Social Security offers
In 2024, there are more ways to support veterans’ survivors after the passing, especially after seeing two important benefits. For example:
- Burials and Burial Allowance:
- gravesite in any of our USA National cemeteries
- opening and closing of the grave
- perpetual care
- a government headstone
- marker
- medallion
- burial flag
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- other benefits may apply to some survivors (plot allowance, transportation allowance, and burial allowances)
- VA and the final monthly payment
- The last month of benefits can be delivered to the surviving spouse
- VA Training and Education
- Fry Scholarship
- Chapter 35 benefits
*in the line of duty or due to service-related disabilities
- VA Caregiver Support Program
- Health Care
- Home Loan Guaranty
To learn more, check out Social Security’s official site.
Conclusion
Finally, spouses and dependents of veterans have at their disposal a large number of benefits from Social Security and VA formed to cover financial, educational and healthcare support. The following programs honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their families by providing distribution of: monthly compensation payments, burial allowances, education scholarships, home loan guarantees, and many other forms of imputed cash.
Learning about the criteria for eligibility for these benefits means survivors know they are entitled to support. But it’s always best to check the Social Security and VA websites for full details and for help with applications.
Also Read: 2025 Social Security Taxable Maximum Changes: What You Need to Know
FAQs
Q. Who is eligible for VA survivor benefits?
A. VA survivor benefits are available to the surviving spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of a deceased veteran. The eligibility may hinge on such factors as whether the veteran’s death was in service or the line of duty, or as to whether the veteran’s death was related to service.
Q. What types of benefits can spouses and dependents of veterans claim?
A. There are different benefits that spouses and dependents of veterans can claim, like financial aid, educational support, home loans, survivors pension and also VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.).
Q. What is VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.)?
A. VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) is a monthly payment made to the eligible survivors of veterans who died from a service-related illness or injury or of line of duty. Its goal is to help the survivors’ families financially.
Q. What benefits are available for burial and burial allowance?
A. Burial benefits include a gravesite in a national cemetery; opening and closing of the grave; perpetual care of the grave; a government headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Some survivors may also receive additional allowances for plots, transportation and burial.
Q. Where can I find more information about these benefits?
A. If you’d like to learn more about VA survivor benefits, they suggest checking out the official Social Security and VA websites, which offer more information on the criteria for eligibility, the process to apply, and available support services.