Survivor’s benefits

As a final tribute of respect to our fallen comrades, our nation remembers those left behind and provides assistance through a VA program called Survivor’s Benefits. Understanding the eligibility criteria and benefit amount for each separate benefit enables veterans and their families to better plan for the inevitable.

Upon the death of a veteran, surviving spouses will find the Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services (HOVS) for immediate assistance in understanding and applying for benefits. A legible copy of the veteran’s military discharge papers and a copy of the death certificate are required to apply for all benefits. While some benefits are provided only once, many of these benefits continue to contribute monthly toward a lifetime of family financial security. All benefits are tax-free.

The following is an overview of the survivor’s benefits available through the VA. Generally, the unremarried surviving spouse and/or dependent children of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies on active duty, or was honorably discharged after serving 24 months or more of active service is eligible for the following benefits:

Burial in a

veterans cemetery

— May be interred with the veteran upon death, includes gravemarker.

Burial allowance

— $2,000 if the veterans’ death was a result of any service-connected disability

— $300 if veterans’ death was not a result of any service-connected disability but veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation

 — $300 plot allowance if the veterans’ death was service-connected and the veteran was not buried in a veterans cemetery or the veteran was discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces due to a disability

Improved

death pension

(widow’s pension)

— Veteran must have served during a period of war.

— Spouse must have countable income below the yearly limit set by law.

— Benefit amount varies depending on countable annual income.

— Income Limits for 2009: surviving spouse with no dependent children $7,933; surviving spouse with 1 dependent child $10,385.

Dependency

and indemnity

compensation (DIC)

— Member died while serving on active duty.

— Veteran died as a result of any “service-connected” disability.

— Veteran was permanently and totally “service-connected” disabled for a minimum of 10 years prior to death (regardless of cause of death).

— Veteran is declared missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or is being forcibly detained by a hostile force.

— Benefit amount for 2009: surviving spouse with no dependent children $1,154; amount increases $286 for each dependent child.

Veterans life

insurance

— Whether serving on active duty (SGLI) or at time of discharge (VGLI), veterans may choose to enroll in the optional VA life insurance program.

— While serving on active duty, premiums are subsidized by the government.

— After discharge, veteran pays the full premium amount.

— The amount of insurance, if desired, is selected by the veteran at time of discharge.

— For the above stated reasons, advance enrollment is mandatory. Benefit amounts vary and range from $5,000 to a maximum of $400,000.

— It is important to note that benefits are legislated and funded by Congress, and thus are subject to change. For this reason, it is advisable to periodically visit the Office of Veterans’ Services (OVS) nearest you, or call 1-808 (Oahu: 433-0427, Hawai‘i: 933-0315, Maui: 873-3145 or Kaua‘i: 241-3348), or visit the VA Web site at www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm to find out more about these and other possible benefits.

• Tony Elliott is a member of the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans Services on Kaua‘i.