The short answer is yes. Coping with the loss of a loved one is one of life’s hardest challenges. The grief of losing a loved one is hard enough to process without the added stress of the financial burdens felt through their absence. We can help you apply for many of the benefits the VA provides for the widows of veterans. Our goal is to help you heal without stress and support yourself financially through this process.
As the survivor of a Veteran, you may qualify for any of the benefits listed below. Please reach out to our offices even if you aren’t sure if you qualify for any of these listed benefits. We are more than willing to over any questions you may have over the phone or in person with patience and compassion.
Burial Benefits and Memorial Items
Arranging a funeral can be a difficult and overwhelming process if you’re going through a loss. The VA will help you plan for a burial or may even pay for the burial services in a VA national cemetery. The VA may reimburse the burial and funeral costs if you are eligible for the allowance. If your spouse died within the last two years, you may still be eligible for a burial allowance.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (“DIC”)
DIC is a tax free monthly benefit. It is paid to spouses of service members who died while on active duty, spouses of veterans who died from a service connected injury or disease, and spouses of veterans who were totally disabled by a service connected disability if certain conditions apply.
Home Loan Programs
If you are already receiving DIC benefits, or find that you are eligible for DIC benefits, you may also be eligible for home loan programs for surviving spouses. The VA may help buy, repair, build, or even finance your home. You may even avoid foreclosure if you are having any trouble making mortgage payments on your VA-backed loan. We can help you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this benefit and guide you through the different loan options.
Survivors Pension
The VA will offer a monthly allowance to spouses of diseased Veterans and their unmarried dependents. As the spouse of a Veteran, may be eligible for this benefits it you have not remarried after the Veteran’s death. There are other requirements that deal with the Veteran’s service and with your yearly net worth. In general, an individual cannot receive both Survivors Pension and DIC benefits simultaneously. Although you may be eligible for both and can be awarded both, the difference will be offset by the other. However, if you remarry at the age of 57 or older you may receive both benefits without an offset.
Education and Training
If you are thinking of going back to school to further your education, you may be eligible for certain scholarships covered by the VA. The advantage of applying for these scholarship is that it will not interfere with DIC benefits. This scholarship works for college as well as business or technical programs, certification tests, apprenticeships, as well as a few others.
How can I learn more?
Our staff here at the Elderly Care Law Firm are well versed in the laws surrounding Veteran Benefits. Give us a call at (305) 564-6606 to schedule a consultation.
