The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a variety of benefits and services to spouses, children, and parents of Servicemembers and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability. These benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Survivors’ Pension, Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, and Home Loans.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. To learn more about this program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply follow this link.
Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax free income-based monthly benefit for the parent(s) of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. For eligibility and how to apply follow this link
The Survivors Pension benefit, which may also be referred to as Death Pension, is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. For more information follow this link .
There are two main GI Bill programs offering education assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans:
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is available for children and spouses of Servicemembers who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
As a surviving spouse or child you may be eligible for one more educational assistance programs. To check eligibility or to help decide which is best for you follow this link.
Finally, VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As part of our mission to serve you, we provide 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 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. To learn more about the VA Home Loan program click this link .