What Counts as a Surviving Child?
The Department of Veterans Affairs extends certain benefits to a surviving child, which it typically defines as a child who was still dependent on the veteran at the time of the veteran’s death. Most VA survivors’ benefits are available to the surviving dependents of any veteran, though some are only available to dependents of a 100% disabled veteran.
What Benefits Are Available to Surviving Children?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers various benefits for veterans’ families and caregivers. Surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans or service members may qualify for benefits such as health care, life insurance, or educational assistance. Additionally, they may be eligible for benefits, including assistance with burial costs and survivor compensation.
Health and Disability Benefits for Family and Caregivers
Various health benefits are available to the surviving children of veterans and service members, including the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or CHAMPVA, and caregiver support.
- CHAMPVA: CHAMPVA is a health insurance cost-sharing program for families not eligible for TRICARE insurance. Surviving spouses and children are eligible for CHAMPVA benefits in one of the following circumstances:
- The veteran has died from a VA-rated service-related disability
- The veterans had a VA rating of permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability
- The veteran has died in the line of duty.
- Eligibility for Health Care: There are some age restrictions for surviving children of deceased veterans to receive health care benefits, and the veteran’s death must have been service-connected for surviving dependents to qualify.
- Caregiver Support: The VA provides respite care through the Caregiver Support Program. Caregivers for veterans or their dependent surviving children may also be eligible for support to help care for the veteran or surviving child and themself.
Survivors Pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Survivors Pension: The Survivors Pension is a tax-free benefit for low-income to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of deceased veterans. To qualify, you must meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. In most cases, the veteran must have served during a “wartime period” for survivors to be eligible for pension benefits.
- DIC: The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, benefit provides financial support to surviving spouses and children of veterans whose death was service-related. If you are the surviving child of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for DIC benefits.
- Eligibility and Application: Your application for benefits will depend on your survivor status. To apply, you can work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization representative; apply online; apply via mail; or go to a VA regional office and get help from an employee.
Education and Career Benefits for Family Members
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: Children of deceased veterans may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides education benefits for tuition, housing, and books. Though these benefits are typically intended for service members themselves, veterans can sometimes transfer unused benefits to spouses or children.
- Montgomery GI Bill death benefit: The VA will pay a special Montgomery GI Bill death benefit to a designated survivor in the event of a service-connected death of a service member while on active duty or within one year after discharge or release.
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program: Known as the DEA program, this offers education and training benefits for children of veterans who died in service or as a result of a service-related injury.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Children of deceased veterans can also access vocational rehabilitation programs to help them find and maintain employment.
- Fry Scholarship: The Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible survivors, allowing them to attend school for up to 36 months at the 100% rate.
Life Insurance for Family Members
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, or SGLI: Surviving dependent children of veterans may be eligible for benefits from a parent’s SGLI if they are named beneficiaries.
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, or VGLI: Children of deceased veterans may also be eligible for life insurance benefits through VGLI if their parent was covered at the time of death.
- Other Life Insurance Options: Several other types of life insurance benefits are available to surviving children, such as coverage under the Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program, or FSGLI. FSGLI offers coverage for the spouse and dependent children of service members covered under full-time SGLI.
Burial and Memorial Benefits for Family Members
- Burial in a VA National Cemetery: Veterans, service members, 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:
- The veteran did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
- The veteran died during active duty or training.
- The person is the surviving spouse or minor child of a veteran, although in some cases, an unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran may also qualify.
- Memorial Benefits: Certain memorial benefits, including headstones, markers, and burial flags, are available to surviving children. Survivors may also be eligible for a veteran’s burial allowance if they are paying for the burial and funeral costs and will not be reimbursed by any other organization.
- Other Memorial Services: Surviving family members of veterans may also be eligible for additional services, such as Presidential Memorial Certificates, which honor the deceased veteran’s service.
Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance benefits, or A&A, assist children of deceased veterans with disabilities or who require assistance with daily living activities. You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and need help performing daily activities, are bedridden, are in a nursing home, or have limited eyesight.
Benefits for Children Born with Birth Defects
The VA also provides compensation and benefits for children who were born with congenital disabilities related to their mother’s service during or after pregnancy, particularly for women veterans who served in Vietnam or other combat areas. Children may be eligible for financial compensation, medical care, and other services if they were affected by their mother’s military service.
Survivor Benefit Plan
The Survivor Benefit Plan provides ongoing payments to military spouses and children after a military member dies while on duty or after retirement. The veteran must be covered under the plan at the time of death. Eligibility for SBP payments depends on the age and dependency status of the veteran’s surviving children.
Death Gratuity
The death gratuity program provides a one-time payment to the surviving children of a deceased service member.
Fee-Free Passports
Surviving children of deceased veterans may be eligible for fee-free passports under specific circumstances, such as traveling to visit the veteran’s grave or attend official ceremonies.
Maximizing the Benefits Available to Surviving Children of Deceased Veterans
Children of deceased veterans or service members have various benefits and resources available to them after a parent’s death. If your parent was a veteran, consider exploring all options for assistance available to you and consulting with a VA representative or Veterans Service Officer to ensure you receive all the benefits you deserve. You can also call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.
