Losing a loved one who served in the military is never easy. For many surviving spouses, the grief is mixed with worry—about the future, finances, and how to manage alone. If you’re the widow or widower of a Veteran, you may be eligible for VA benefits that offer both financial relief and care support. Each program has specific rules and requirements.
These benefits include:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for those whose spouse died from a service-connected cause
- DIC with Special Monthly Compensation
- Survivors Pension, available to low-income spouses
- Housebound Pension, for those confined to the home
- Aid and Attendance (A&A), to help pay for long-term care
- CHAMPVA
History of Surviving Spouse Benefits
The idea of supporting the families of fallen service members goes back more than a century. After the Civil War, the U.S. government began offering modest pensions to widows and dependents of soldiers who died in service.
In 1957, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) was created to provide ongoing financial support to the surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes.
Later, the Survivors Pension was added to help low-income widows of wartime veterans. These benefits were later expanded to include Housebound and Aid and Attendance benefits, which provide additional financial assistance.
The laws pertaining to VA benefits for spouses can be found in Title 38 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
Surviving Spouse VA Benefits Statistics
According to the VA, approximately 450,000 survivors receive DIC benefits—including spouses and eligible children—with about 75,000 of them under age 55. Most recipients are women (about 80%), with a median age around 71, and roughly three-quarters classified as widowed.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monthly payment for surviving spouses whose loved one died in the line of duty or from a service-connected condition. It’s one of the most important benefits available, and you don’t have to prove financial need to qualify.
You may be eligible if your spouse:
- Died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or
- Passed away from a service-connected illness or injury, or
- Had a VA-rated service-connected disability for at least 10 years before their death
Important: If your spouse’s death was even possibly connected to military service, it’s worth exploring DIC. Many conditions—like cancers, respiratory diseases, and heart issues—can now be presumed service-connected if they were linked to toxic exposure during service. So even if your spouse wasn’t rated as service-connected at the time of their death, you may still qualify for DIC.
If you’re not sure your spouse’s death was service-connected, let’s find out. Give us a call at (720) 773 – 8969 and ask to speak with a benefits specialist.
DIC with Special Monthly Compensation
In some cases, surviving spouses who receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is an additional amount paid on top of the regular DIC benefit when the spouse has specific medical or personal care needs.
You may be eligible for SMC if you’re housebound or need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, or getting in and out of bed. The VA sometimes calls this “Aid and Attendance” for survivors receiving DIC, though it’s technically considered a form of SMC.
If your health or personal care needs have changed, it’s worth looking into. This added benefit is meant to help surviving spouses even years after their loved one’s passing.
Survivors Pension
This benefit provides monthly payments to low-income surviving spouses of wartime Veterans. It’s meant to help cover basic living costs. Survivor’s Pension eligibility depends on both income and net worth.
To qualify, the Veteran must have:
- Served at least 90 days of active military service (with at least one day during a wartime period), and
- Received a discharge other than dishonorable
And the spouse must:
- Be married to the Veteran for at least a year before death
- Not be remarried (in most cases)
- Meet income and asset limits set by the VA
The Survivors Pension is especially helpful for those living on a fixed income. There is no age requirement for this pension.
Housebound and Aid & Attendance (A&A) Benefits
There are two types of enhanced pensions that pay even more than a Survivors Pension.
- Housebound benefits are available if you’re mostly confined to your home due to a disability.
- Aid and Attendance is for those who need help with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. The money is a reimbursement for care, including home care, residential care, assisted living and skilled nursing facility care.
Just like with a Survivor’s Pension, to receive Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits, the Veteran must have served during an eligible wartime period and received an other-than-honorable discharge and the spouse must have been married to the Veteran for at least a year. There are no age requirements.
Important: A common misunderstanding is that you have to be receiving a Survivors Pension before you can apply for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits. That’s not true.
Both Housebound and Aid and Attendance are enhanced pension benefits—and you can apply for either one directly, even if you’re not yet receiving a basic Survivors Pension.
It can be a little confusing, because the amount you receive for Housebound or Aid and Attendance is based on the Survivors Pension rate, with extra money added based on your specific needs (like being mostly confined to your home or needing help with daily tasks).
Verifying Military Service
Here are the eligible wartime periods for a Survivors Pension, as well as Housebound and Aid and Attendance enhanced pensions.
World War II
- Start: December 7, 1941
- End: December 31, 1946
Korean Conflict
- Start: June 27, 1950
- End: January 31, 1955
Vietnam War Era
- For Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam:
- Start: November 1, 1955
- End: May 7, 1975
- For Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam:
- Start: August 5, 1964
- End: May 7, 1975
Gulf War
- Start: August 2, 1990
- End: Ongoing (end date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)
Not sure when the veteran served? The best way to confirm your spouse’s military service—and whether it took place during a wartime period—is by reviewing their DD214.
A DD214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is an official military document that shows key service details, including:
- Branch of service
- Dates of active duty
- Discharge status
- Campaigns or medals
- Whether the Veteran served during a recognized wartime period
If you don’t have a copy of your spouse’s DD214, we can help you request one. It’s an important first step in applying for VA survivor benefits.
CHAMPVA
CHAMPVA is a health care program for the surviving spouse and dependent children of a veteran who is either permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died from a service-connected disability. It works as a cost-sharing program, helping cover medical services, prescriptions, mental health care, and more. CHAMPVA can be a lifeline if you’re not eligible for TRICARE (the DoD’s health plan for military families). To qualify, you can’t be eligible for TRICARE and must not be remarried if under age 55. Applying requires some paperwork, but the coverage can make a real difference.
Other Benefits
In addition to monthly compensation and pensions, the VA offers several other benefits that can make a real difference in a surviving spouse’s life. These programs range from education assistance to help buying a home—and even burial support.
The Application Process
The process of applying for VA survivor benefits can feel overwhelming, especially while you’re grieving. The paperwork can be complicated and require specific evidence for a claim to be approved.
You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. We can determine if you are eligible for benefits and help you with all the steps needed for a successful application.
