Resources for Veteran Families
Benefits and next steps for spouses, children, dependent parents, and survivors. Most family members don’t learn what’s available until they need it — this section is the map.
4–7 quick questions → personalized list of benefits to look into. DIC, CHAMPVA, Chapter 35, Fry Scholarship, Survivors Pension, burial.
If your veteran is living
Benefits available to dependents of currently-living veterans — most kick in when the veteran is rated 30% or higher, with the biggest unlocks at 100% P&T.
CHAMPVA — Healthcare for dependents
Health coverage for the spouse and children of veterans rated 100% permanently and totally (P&T) disabled. Similar cost-sharing to TRICARE Select.
DEA — Chapter 35 education benefits
Up to 36 months of monthly education payments for spouses and children of vets rated 100% P&T (or who died from a SC condition). Includes Fry Scholarship comparison.
Dependent compensation add-ons
If the vet is rated 30% or higher, monthly comp increases with a spouse and each dependent. The Claim Worth tool already factors dependents into payout estimates.
PCAFC — Caregiver Assistance
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a stipend to family caregivers of eligible vets with serious injuries. Apply at va.gov.
VA home loan — spouse co-borrower
Surviving spouses and current military spouses can be co-borrowers on a VA home loan and may qualify for the COE on their own under certain conditions.
DIC while alive (rare)
DIC is almost always a post-death benefit, but in rare hospice cases a service-connected vet may want to preserve survivor benefits by ensuring eligibility paperwork is filed correctly before death. Talk to a VSO.
If your veteran has died
Survivor benefits. The single most important step is filing DIC — within 1 year of death, the effective date is the date of death (months of back pay). Start with the first-30-days checklist if you’re newly bereaved.
DIC — Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
The most important survivor benefit. Tax-free monthly payment to eligible surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents. File within 1 year of death for retroactive payment to date of death.
DEA — Chapter 35 education
Continues for kids and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected condition. Up to 36 months of training benefits.
Fry Scholarship
Post-9/11 dependents of service members killed in the line of duty. Covers 100% of in-state tuition at public schools — more generous than DEA.
Survivors Pension
Need-based monthly payment for low-income surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased wartime vets. Different from DIC — VSO can help compare.
Burial & memorial benefits
Burial allowance, plot allowance, headstone, and burial in a national cemetery. File Form 21P-530EZ. Service-connected death qualifies for the higher reimbursement tier.
VA Survivor's Home Loan
Surviving spouses of vets who died from a service-connected condition (or were P&T at death) may be eligible for the VA-backed home loan with no funding fee.
Aid & Attendance for surviving spouse
Add-on to DIC or Survivors Pension if the surviving spouse needs help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating) or is bedridden.
Educational information only — not legal or financial advice
Every survivor situation is different. Marriage dates, cause of death, the veteran’s rating history, and state of residence all change which benefits apply and how much you receive. Before filing anything, get a VA-accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent on your side — they’re free and will catch things you don’t know to ask.
Keep the work
This family guide is on this device only
Free to use and print. The $9.99/mo Founding Pass unlocks the wizard so this work can sit next to your one-pager and packet export. Not a rating. Not a filing.
What more includes
- Save the one-pager across phones
- Keep the missing-evidence list
- Export a packet for an accredited VSO
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