Skip to main content

Veteran Dependents and Survivor Benefits

Benefits for Veterans & Military Families

This article provides an overview of a variety of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits available to spouses, and children of servicemembers and veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability.

As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself.  

Here, find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them. 

The information in this article was written by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It has been lightly edited for style. 

Revised TexasLawHelp.org on February 25, 2023. 

Am I eligible for VA education benefits?

You may be eligible for VA education benefits if you’re the child or spouse of a service member and one of these descriptions listed is true of the service member

One of these must be true: 

  • The service member died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, or 

  • The service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or 

  • The service member was detained (held) by force while in the line of duty by a foreign government or power, or 

  • The service member is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability, and is likely to be discharged for that disability. A service-connected permanent and total disability is a disability resulting from your service that doesn’t go away. 

You may be eligible for VA education benefits if you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran and one of these descriptions listed is true of the Veteran

One of these must be true: 

  • The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or 

  • The Veteran died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability 

What kind of VA education benefits are available?

There are two main GI Bill programs offering educational assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans. 

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is for children and spouses of: 

  • Active-duty service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, or 

  • Members of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001 

If you’re a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement to you while they were on active duty. Visit Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to learn about transferred benefits. 

Visit Fry Scholarships to learn more.  

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training to qualified dependents of Veterans who: 

  • Are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-related condition, or 

  • Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition 

If you’re a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement to you while they were on active duty. Visit Transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to learn about transferred benefits. 

Visit Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance to learn more. 

Note: You may qualify for both the Fry Scholarship and the DEA program, but you can use only one of them. You’ll have to pick one when you apply. Once you’ve made this decision, you can’t switch to the other program. 

How do I get education benefits?

You’ll need to apply. Visit Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance to apply.  

What are VA educational and career counseling benefits?

These benefits include educational and career counseling, plus help with: 

  • Exploring your abilities and interests 

  • Mapping out a path to employment 

  • Planning the best use of your VA benefits 

Note: In certain cases, you may be able to get other education and employment benefits and services for dependents. For example, you may qualify if you’re the child of a Vietnam or Korean War Veteran and have certain birth defects, or if you’re the dependent child or spouse of a Veteran who has died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of active service. 

Am I eligible for VA educational and career counseling benefits?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you meet both of these requirements. 

Both of these must be true: 

  • You’re the dependent of a Veteran, and 

  • You’re eligible for certain VA education benefits 

These VA education benefits include: 

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill 

  • The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty  

  • The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve 

Visit Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, or Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve to learn more.  

How do I apply for VA educational and career counseling benefits?

What is a VA-backed home loan?

VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. VA provides a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. 

VA-backed home loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms. 

Am I eligible for a VA-backed home loan?

To get a VA-backed home loan as the surviving spouse of a Veteran, you’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to show your lender that you qualify for this benefit. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to meet your lender’s credit and income requirements to get a loan. 

You may be able to get a COE if you’re the spouse of a Veteran, and at least one of these descriptions is true for them. 

At least one of these must be true: 

  • The Veteran is missing in action, or 

  • The Veteran is a prisoner of war (POW), or 

  • The Veteran died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn’t remarry, or 

  • The Veteran died while in service or from a service-connected disability and you didn’t remarry before you were 57 years old or before December 16, 2003, or 

  • The Veteran had been totally disabled and then died, but their disability may not have been the cause of death (in certain situations) 

Where can I learn more about how to get a COE?

What is Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)?

FSGLI offers coverage for the spouse and dependent children of service members covered under full-time Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). SGLI is a life insurance program for service members provided by VA.  

Am I eligible for FSGLI?

You may be eligible for FSGLI if you’re the spouse or dependent child of a service member who meets one of these requirements. 

One of these must be true: 

  • The service member is on active duty and covered by full-time SGLI, or 

  • The service member is a member of the National Guard or Ready Reserve covered by full-time SGLI 

You may qualify to get FSGLI as the spouse of someone with SGLI coverage no matter if your own status is active duty, retired, or civilian. 

Where can I learn more about these benefits?

What are VA burial benefits?

VA burial benefits can help service members, Veterans, and their family members plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Family members can also order memorial items to honor the service of a Veteran.  

Am I eligible for VA burial benefits as a surviving spouse or dependent child of a service member or Veteran?

Spouses and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of these requirements. 

One of these must be true: 

  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is the spouse or minor child of a Veteran, even if the Veteran died first, or 

  • The person qualifying for burial benefits is in some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a Veteran 

Find out how to apply for the burial benefits, and how to plan for a burial in advance or at time of need at VA burial benefits and memorial items. 

What is a VA Survivors Pension?

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.  

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as a surviving spouse?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, and if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge and their service meets at least one of these requirements. 

At least one of these must be true: 

  • The Veteran entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active military service, with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or 

  • The Veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period or 

  • The Veteran was an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months  

And this must be true for you: 

Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth equals the value of everything you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. 

Learn more at VA Survivors Pension

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as the child of a deceased wartime Veteran?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re unmarried and you meet at least one of these requirements. 

At least one of these must be true: 

  • You’re under age 18, or 

  • You’re under age 23 and attending a VA-approved school, or 

  • You’re unable to care for yourself due to a disability that happened before age 18 

Learn more at VA Survivors Pension

What is VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)?

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).  

How do I find out if I’m eligible for VA DIC?

To learn about eligibility and how to apply, visit About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents

What is TRICARE?

If you’re the family member of an active-duty, retired, or deceased service member, National Guard soldier, Reservist, or Medal of Honor recipient, you may qualify for the TRICARE program

TRICARE provides comprehensive health coverage, including health plans, prescription medicines, dental plans, and programs for people with special needs. The Department of Defense’s Defense Health Agency manages this program. 

How can I learn more about TRICARE?

To learn about TRICARE eligibility and how to apply, visit the TRICARE website.  

What is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)?

If you are the current or surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with disabilities or a service member who died in the line of duty, and you do not qualify for TRICARE, you may be able to get health insurance through The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)

Through this program, VA covers the cost of some of your health care services and supplies.  

How can I learn more about CHAMPVA?

To learn about CHAMPVA eligibility and how to apply, visit CHAMPVA benefits

Where can I learn about the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program, and the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Health Care Benefits Program?

If you lived at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in North Carolina with an active-duty Veteran who was your spouse or parent for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants and the development of certain diseases later on. If you now have one of the related conditions, you may qualify for health care benefits through VA. 

If you’re the biological child of a Korean or Vietnam War Veteran and you’ve been diagnosed with spina bifida, you may qualify for disability benefits, including health care benefits. 

If you’re the biological child of a woman Vietnam War Veteran and you’ve been diagnosed with certain birth defects, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. These benefits may help pay for services needed to treat your covered birth defect and related medical conditions. 

To learn more, visit Community Care: Information for Family Members and Dependents

 

 

What are VA Pharmacy benefits?

If you qualify for CHAMPVA or the Spina Bifida or Children of Women Vietnam Veterans programs, you can get prescription benefits through your local pharmacy or through the Meds by Mail program.  

To learn more, visit Pharmacy Benefits

What kinds of programs and services are available to caregivers?

Caregivers are eligible for a host of VA services, including services offered under the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). These services are available to eligible Veterans of any era.  

PGCSS includes training, education, respite care, self-care courses and the Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274 (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST).  

These services are available to support all caregivers, where the Veteran is enrolled for healthcare at any Veterans Health Administration facility, regardless of illness or injury.  

In addition to services offered under the PGCSS, caregivers in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) may also receive a monthly stipend, beneficiary travel, mental health counseling, enhanced respite services, and health insurance, if applicable. 

To learn more, visit VA Caregiver Support Program.  

Related Articles