Survivor Benefits
The VA offers many programs to provide assistance to the surviving spouses, children, and parents of deceased veterans. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, so it is important that you contact the VA or your county veterans service officer to determine your eligibility.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- This benefit program pays a monthly payment to a surviving spouse, dependent child, or an eligible dependent parent of a veteran because of a service-connected death of a veteran. Income is not a factor with this benefit, except for dependent parents. This benefit cannot be paid concurrently with SBP. DIC is not taxable.
- This benefit program pays monthly payments to a surviving spouse and/or dependent child of a deceased wartime veteran. The veteran’s death does not need to be service-connected as eligibility for this program is income-based.
- This benefit pays monthly benefits to a surviving spouse, dependent children, or, in some cases, dependent parents of an enrolled military retiree. This benefit is only available to those survivors of retired veterans who were enrolled in the program and paid premiums. Survivors may not receive DIC and SBP concurrently. SBP is taxable income.
- Death benefits are related to the funeral aspect of a veteran’s death. In some cases, survivors may be eligible for a burial and funeral expense allowance and a plot interment allowance. Other death benefits include burial in a national cemetery and burial flags.
Other Related Benefits
- Presidential Memorial Certificates
- National cemeteries
- Burial Location Assistance
- State veterans cemetery (Little Falls, MN)
- Dependent’s Education Assistance (DEA)
- Minnesota War Orphans Education Program
- Minnesota DVA Optical and Dental Assistance
- Minnesota DVA Subsistence Program
- VA Home Loan Guaranty
- Minnesota State Veterans Homes
- CHAMPVA healthcare
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