If your spouse has received a full VA disability rating, you may be wondering, “Does the spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran get benefits?” As the spouse of a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating, you may be entitled to benefits, including health care, education, and other support to assist a spouse who cannot work.
If you are the spouse of a veteran with a 100 percent VA disability rating, Veterans Guide can help you determine which benefits you are eligible for. Finally, it can be helpful to speak with a VA disability lawyer to address any additional questions and concerns regarding VA benefits and the application process.
Do Spouses of 100% Disabled Veterans Receive Benefits?
Eligibility to receive VA benefits depends on various criteria. One critical question you must address is whether your spouse’s disability is rated 100 percent permanent and total. Even if your spouse hasn’t received a full 100 percent disability rating, you may still qualify for some benefits. However, your eligibility depends on various factors, such as disability rating, marital status, and dependents.
You and your spouse could be eligible to receive up to a combined $4,044.91 in monthly disability compensation for a 100 percent VA disability rating. If you have additional dependents, your family’s monthly disability earnings could increase. Qualifying dependents include children under 18, parents, and children over 18 who attend qualifying educational programs.
What Benefits Are Available for Spouses of 100 Percent Disabled Veterans?
If you are the spouse of a You may qualify for numerous supportive VA benefits, such as the following:
- CHAMPVA Health Insurance
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- VA Survivors Pension
- Various educational benefits
The VA created these benefits to help families thrive following a disabling military service injury. These benefits can significantly support you and your family, from providing critical health care coverage to survivors’ benefits and educational scholarships.
CHAMPVA Health Insurance
Access to health insurance is critical, especially when you or your spouse cannot work due to a disability. Spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans may be eligible for VA spouse medical benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA spouse coverage applies to you only if you are ineligible for TRICARE. Changes in your spouse’s military status or failure to maintain service criteria can impact your TRICARE eligibility.
CHAMPVA provides coverage for dependents of total disability veterans who are ineligible for TRICARE. CHAMPVA covers most medical care supplies and services, including:
- Inpatient and outpatient doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Prescription medications
- Mental health care
- Skilled nursing care
- Ambulance services
- Hospice care
You can also use CHAMPVA to purchase dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program at a reduced cost. Access to CHAMPVA and its related programs can significantly relieve the financial burdens associated with your family’s health care costs.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for the surviving spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans who have died. Eligibility requires that the veteran must have been rated 100 percent disability for at least 10 continuous years before death or at least five years from the date of release from active duty. In 2025, payments start at $1,653.07 for the first two years for veterans who have died on or after January 1, 1993.
VA Survivors Pension
VA benefits for spouses of disabled veterans include the VA Survivors Pension. A VA Survivors Pension provides monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits. The VA bases eligibility on your income, number of dependents, and eligibility for household aid. To qualify for this pension as a spouse, you must have a net worth below $159,240.
Example: Suppose the surviving spouse of a qualified veteran has applied for a VA Survivors Pension. The spouse has a net worth below $159,240 and is deemed eligible. The relevant evidence shows the following:
- Annual income: $10,000
- Number and type of dependents: One child dependent
- Maximum annual pension rate: $21,696
The VA would consider this information and determine your VA pension according to pension rates. In this case, the surviving spouse’s VA pension would total $11,696 for the year or $974.66 monthly.
Education Benefits: DEA and Chapter 35
VA education benefits for spouses include the Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program, also known as Chapter 35. It offers education and training benefits to eligible spouses and dependents of veterans. To be eligible, you must be the dependent of a veteran who has a permanent and total 100 percent disability rating or has died from a service-connected disabling condition. This assistance is also available to family members of service members who died in the line of duty, are captured or interned by hostile forces, are missing in action, or are currently hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected disability that is likely to lead to a discharge.
The Dependents’ Educational Assistance, or DEA, program provides financial assistance to cover the costs of higher education and vocational training for up to 36 months.
How To Apply for Spousal VA Benefits
Applying for spousal VA benefits requires gathering documentation and submitting an application through the appropriate channels. First, you should collect your spouse’s veteran service records, marriage certificate, disability rating record, and, if applicable, death certificate. You will need to complete the applicable VA form:
- VA Survivors Pension and DIC: Form 21P-534EZ
- Chapter 35 Benefits: Form 22-5490
- CHAMPVA: Form 10-10d
Once it’s complete, submit your form according to its instructions. You can submit online through the VA website, by mail, or directly at your local VA office.
Additional documentation, such as financial records or proof of educational enrollment, may be required to establish eligibility and need. Follow the instructions and carefully review the specific requirements for each benefit application.
Veterans Guide offers personal assistance, guidance through the application process, and feedback on your available options. Contact us for more information on applying for spousal 100 percent disability benefits.
FAQs About VA Benefits for Spouses of 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
Our team has provided brief answers to common questions about VA benefits for spouses of veterans with a 100 percent permanent and total disability rating.
Can a Spouse Keep Benefits if They Remarry?
A spouse may lose eligibility for certain VA benefits if they remarry. For example, a spouse may lose access to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if they remarry before age 55.
Do Spouses of Veterans with a Temporary 100 Percent Rating Qualify for Benefits?
Spouses of veterans with a temporary 100 percent disability rating generally do qualify for some benefits during the temporary rating period. However, some programs require a permanent and total disability rating.
What Happens to My Benefits if the Veteran Passes Away?
Upon the death of your veteran spouse, you may continue to receive certain benefits, such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. You may also qualify for the VA Survivor’s pension if you meet the income and net worth limits.
