Veterans Affairs (VA) offers numerous benefits to veterans and their families. In addition, the VA offers benefits for spouses of deceased veterans, and it’s important to understand what these benefits are so that you can take advantage of them if you’re eligible.
If you’re a spouse, child, or parent of a deceased veteran, you might be eligible for benefits such as help with funeral expenses or a home loan. If you meet specific requirements, you could receive help with health care costs, life insurance premiums, or financial aid for schooling or job training.
Check out this blog post to learn more about the different benefits available to spouses of deceased veterans. Whether you are looking for financial assistance or help with your health care, we hope this information will be helpful to you.
What Benefits are Available for the Widow of a Veteran?
Healthcare
You may be eligible for healthcare benefits if you are the spouse, dependent child, or family caregiver of a Veteran or service member. You may qualify for health care benefits if you have a disability due to your Veteran’s service. If you have a family member who is an active duty, retired, or deceased service member, National Guard soldier, Reservist, or Medal of Honor recipient, you may be eligible for the TRICARE program.
TRICARE provides comprehensive health coverage, including health insurance, prescription medicines, dental plans, and special needs programs. This program is managed by the Defense Health Agency of the Department of Defense.
You may be eligible for CHAMPVA health insurance if you do not qualify for TRICARE. The VA will pay for some of your healthcare costs with this program. This is called cost-sharing. You will be responsible for a small annual deductible and a co-payment for each medical service or item.
Burial and death benefits
You may be eligible for burial and death payments if you are the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran. These benefits can help with funerals, transportation, and death gratuities.
Low-income surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased Veterans are eligible for a survivor’s pension from the Veterans Benefits Administration. This pension can help with food, clothing, shelter, and other necessary expenses.
Education
You may be eligible for education benefits if you are the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran. These benefits can help pay for college, vocational school, or other training programs. The Veterans Benefits Administration offers the Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program to eligible spouses and children of Veterans. With this program, you may be able to get up to 45 months of education benefits.
VA life insurance
These benefits can help with financial security in the event of the Veteran’s death. The Veterans Benefits Administration offers several life insurance programs, including the Service members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program and the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) program.
Home loan programs
The VA offers home loan programs specifically for surviving spouses. These programs can help you get into a new home after the loss of your spouse, and they come with special benefits designed to make the process easier.
A VA-backed home loan is available to the surviving spouse of a Veteran. To apply, you’ll first need to obtain and present a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to your lender as proof of qualification. You can get a COE through the VA’s eBenefits portal or by working with a VA-approved lender.
There are also specially adapted housing grants available for surviving spouses of veterans with disabilities related to their service. These grants can help you purchase, build, or modify a home to suit your needs better.
Obtaining a VA-backed house loan is a process, and filing for your COE is only one step in that process. The next steps you take will be based on the loan you want and the private bank or mortgage company through which you’re getting it.
The lender will request a VA appraisal (evaluation) of the residence. The appraisal estimates the house’s current market value. Consider that an appraisal is not the same as a house inspection and is not a failsafe method of determining value.
After the appraiser reviews your home, credit information, and income, the lender decides if they will approve your loan application. If you’re approved, you’ll get a loan commitment letter from the lender. This document outlines the loan amount, interest rate, and other important terms and conditions.
Before closing the loan, you must also submit proof of homeowners insurance.
Now it’s time to sign the final paperwork and complete the sale. You will now pay any outstanding closing costs and fees related to the loan. You should receive your first mortgage statement in the mail within 30 days of closing the loan. This document will list your monthly payment amount, due date, and other important information. Be sure to keep it in a safe place so you can reference it as needed.
How Much Does a Surviving Spouse Get from the VA?
If your spouse was a Veteran and they sadly passed away, your monthly payments would begin at $1,437.66. After you find the benefits you qualify for, look in the Added amounts table to see how much more money you get.
What is the Difference Between Survivor Benefits and Widow Benefits?
The phrases “survivor benefits” and “widow benefits” are sometimes used interchangeably. However, there is a difference. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) normally provides Survivor benefits to spouses and dependent children of military members who died while on active duty or as a consequence of a service-related disability or sickness. Widow benefits, on the other hand, are typically provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to eligible widows and widowers of deceased workers.
Additionally, survivor benefits may help cover funeral and burial expenses, whereas widow benefits cannot.
If you are a service member or a Veteran’s surviving spouse, you should be aware of the benefits you may be entitled to. The VA’s website offers a comprehensive overview of the benefits available to surviving spouses. In addition, you can visit the SSA’s website for more information on widow benefits.
Can a Widow Receive Social Security and VA Benefits?
If you are eligible, receiving SSDI and VA disability compensation is possible. If you want to receive both benefits, you must apply for them separately. Your income and other resources will determine your eligibility for SSI. Individuals who are unable to work due to a severe medical condition that is projected to endure at least one year or result in death are eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. According to federal law, this is a very strict definition of disability.
After a veteran dies, their surviving relatives typically receive financial support from the Social Security Administration. In addition, some persons receive widow or widower benefits, retirement benefits, or Social Security payments. Social Security benefits are sometimes based on the earnings of the survivor. The other method is when the survivor of the Veteran draws benefits based on the amount of money the Veteran made.
Unknown to many survivors, they can collect both DIC benefits and Social Security benefits concurrently. If the death is service-related, the surviving spouse is eligible for DIC benefits, and Social Security benefits may be claimed for a separate cause (retirement, disability, etc.). DIC benefits are not determined by income, meaning that receiving Social Security benefits will not make you ineligible for DIC. By proving to the VA that you are eligible for DIC benefits, you will be able to receive your benefit from Social Security as well as your DIC benefit.
How Long Do You Have to be Married to a Veteran to Get Benefits?
The majority of benefits are available only to spouses who have been married to the Veteran for at least one year. In certain instances, if a veteran’s spouse gets married again, their benefits may be entirely canceled.