How To Apply For Military Survivor Benefits

Requirement Of Wartime Service

VA Pensions for Surviving Spouses | VA Benefits for Veterans’ Wives & Husbands | theSITREP

What counts as wartime service for the purpose of the death pension requirements? If the veteran served on or prior to September 7, 1980, the full period of service must have been at least 90 days without at least one day during wartime for survivors to be eligible for the pension.

Veterans who went on active duty after September 7, 1980 must have served a full 24 months or the full period of service, and also have served at least one day during wartime.

Many times veterans and their families believe the veteran’s service qualifies as wartime, but the VA has strictly defined only certain periods as wartime.

What Is An Insurable Interest Survivor Benefit Election

If you’re in good health and you retire for reasons other than disability, you can elect to provide a survivor annuity to someone with an insurable interest. You can elect to provide an insurable interest benefit and the maximum survivor benefit for a current spouse or an ex-spouse . Spousal consent is not required to name an insurable interest if you’ve elected a maximum survivor annuity for your current spouse. However, if you’re married and elect an insurable interest benefit for your current spouse, spousal consent is required because your current spouse must waive their right to normal survivor benefits.

If you elect an insurable interest benefit, you’re responsible for arranging for and paying the cost of any medical examination required to show you’re in good health. A report of the medical examination should be included with your retirement application.

What Information Do I Need To Apply For Childs Benefits

You need to provide the following documents when applying for Childs Benefit:

Birth certificate of the child you are applying for
Proof of your marriage to the childs other parent
U.S. citizenship proof for child
W-2 forms or self-employment tax return if the child worked and had earnings in the last year
If one of the childs parents is deceased you need to provide proof of death and U.S. military discharge papers.

If the child you are applying for was disabled before the age of 22 you need to fill out the following forms:

Adult Disability Report and

Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration .

You could also receive benefits for taking care of the child. Provide the following documents to help the Social Security Administration determine if you are eligible:

Your proof of birth or birth certificate
Proof of marriage
U.S. citizenship proof or proof of lawful alien status

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Items Required To Process Application For Tier 2 Authorization

: The VMSDEP Office may access the qualifying military service members USDVA records in order to determine eligibility. The VMSDEP Office will not process an application without a completed signed by the qualifying military service member.

DD Form 214,Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Member Copy 4 or
DD Form 256, Honorable Discharge Certificate or
DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty or
NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service.

Proof of Presence in Virginia: Evidence showing the qualifying military service member meets the domiciliary requirement as defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-608 is required if Virginia is not listed as the Home of Record Upon Entry on the item used to show Proof of Military Service. If applicable, evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia must show the qualifying military service members full name, date, and physical address. In most cases, one document for each year is required to show presence in Virginia for at least five years immediately prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted by or on behalf of the applying dependent to a Virginia public college or university . Example of evidence to show Proof of Presence in Virginia:

State Income Tax Records

Plan ahead in order to complete your application process and use your benefits at the start of the anticipated semester.

Prospective VMSDEP beneficiaries must submit completed applications by the dates listed below:

Who Can Receive Survivors Benefits

Widows and widowers, divorced spouses, children, stepchildren, and other family members could be eligible for Survivors Benefits. In some cases, the individual must prove they are related to the deceased or prove they are caring for the deceaseds child.

If you are already receiving any sort of Social Security Benefits or payments, you will need to apply for Survivors Benefits separately. Social Security will then see if you should receive a higher payment.

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How Much Are Survivor Benefits From Va

While the eligibility of DIC benefits is based on the Veteran or service members service-connected disability, Survivors Pension is not. Also known as death pension by some, the survivors pension is a tax-free monetary benefit that is payable to a low-income, unmarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with wartime service the amount can vary but generally the Survivor Benefit Plan /Minimum Income Annuity limitation is $9,896. The pay rate for this benefit has been set by Congress.

Survivors Pension carries is own set of eligibility requirements for the deceased veteran as well as the surviving spouse. The deceased Veteran must have met the following service requirements:

For service on or before September 7, 1980, the Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at last one day during a wartime period.
If the Veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, they must have served a total of 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty with a least one day during a wartime period.
The veteran must have been discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.

The eligibility requirements for the surviving spouse is as follows:

Its important to note that surviving children may also be eligible for survivors pension. Unmarried children must meet one of the following requirements to qualify:

Surviving Spouses And Children Of Deceased Military Service Members And Veterans Can Get Dic Or Death Pension Benefits

There are certain cash benefits that are available to survivors of deceased active duty members and deceased veterans. Some of these programs are for low-income families only, and others are based on the veteran’s service-connected disabilities . These cash benefits for survivors include dependents indemnity compensation , accrued disability compensation benefits, and death pension. .)

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How Do I Get Help For A Veteran Whos In Crisis

If youre concerned about a Veteran in crisis, connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7.

To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:

If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

If youre concerned about a Veteran whos homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You or the Veteran can talk privately with a trained VA counselor for free.

Minor Or Disabled Child

Survivor Claims Processing: Death In Service – 2020 OPM Virtual Benefits Training Event

Any child under 18 or up to 19 if they are in school full time can be eligible for Survivors Benefits. If you were disabled before 22 years of age and are still disabled you could also qualify for benefits.

Any stepchildren, natural children, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren could also be eligible to receive Survivors Benefits.

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When Would My Survivors Benefits End

If you are a widow or widower your benefits should last for life.

If you receive Mother or Fathers Survivor Benefits those benefits would end if:

You no longer care for a child under 16 or disabled

You remarry. Exceptions do exist if you remarry someone who also receives specific Social Security Benefits.

You become entitled to widowers or widows Survivors Benefits

You become entitled to Retirement Benefits that are larger than your Survivors Benefits

If you receive child Survivors Benefits those benefits would end when you turn 18. If you are studying full time, your benefits could continue to 19 years and 2 months old. Child benefits also apply to step-children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.

If you get married that would end your childs survivors benefits in most cases.

If you receive dependent parent Survivors Benefits, these benefits are paid for life unless the parent remarries or if you start receiving Retirement Benefits that are larger than the Survivors Benefits.

I hope the information in this article was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments leave them in the comments section below.

David Duford

David Duford is the owner of SSAOffices.com. He owns numerous businesses including life and Medicare agencies, dedicated to helping seniors with their insurance needs. David resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and four chlidren.

What Are Death Benefits

The Death Benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment for the spouse of the deceased.

The Death Benefit will be paid to the surviving spouse if they lived with their deceased partner before they died, or if they lived apart but were receiving Social Security Benefits from their partner.

If there is no living spouse of the deceased the payment will be made to a child who is eligible to receive the benefits.

The lump-sum payment will be $255.

How Is The Amount Of My Benefit As A Former Spouse Determined

A monthly survivor annuity may be payable to a former spouse after the death of the employee or annuitant if it is provided by a court order or the annuitant’s election.

If the survivor annuity is based on an annuitant’s election, the amount is determined in the same way as the amount due to a current surviving spouse. However, if the employee has remarried, then this election can only be made if the current spouse consents to it.

The amount of a court-ordered survivor annuity is based on the court order. A court order may provide the maximum survivor annuity, a lesser amount, or a fraction of the maximum survivor annuity.

When Do Survivor Benefits End

Survivor annuity payments are payable through the end of the month prior to the date of the event which caused the loss of eligibility. For example, if a remarriage occurred in April, benefits would end on March 31.

Survivor annuities payable to widows, widowers, and former spouses end if the survivor remarries before age 55 and was not married for at least 30 years to the deceased employee or annuitant. Widows, widowers, and former spouses who remarry after they reach age 55 continue to be eligible for survivor annuity benefits. The survivor annuity for a former spouse who is entitled because of a court order ends if the terms of the court order are satisfied. Insurable interest annuities are payable for the life of the survivor.

If an annuity to a surviving spouse ends for a remarriage, it can be restored if the remarriage ends. Before the benefit can be restored, the survivor must pay back any lump sum payment of retirement contributions, if applicable. If you want your current spouse annuity restored, write to us and include a copy of the decree of divorce, annulment, or death certificate. Former spouse benefits that end because of a remarriage can never be restored.

Annuity benefits for children end when the child reaches age 18, marries, or dies. Survivor annuities are payable through the end of the month prior to the date of the event which caused the loss of eligibility. For example, if the child turns 18 on June 29, benefits would end on May 31.

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Survivor Benefit Plan Election Options

Who is eligible for Survivor Benefit Plan coverage?

Spouse Spouse & Children Children only Former spouse Former spouse and children or Persons with an insurable interest

Are grandchildren eligible for coverage under the SBP Program?

Yes, but only if the grandchildren live with and are supported by the military grandparent.

What is an insurable interest election?

This is an election that can be made by the unmarried retiree who might want to provide for a relative or other person who could be hurt financially if the retiree dies.

Although I am eligible to participate in SBP as a member of the uniformed services, does my nonmilitary spouse have any say in the election process?

Yes. Your nonmilitary spouse can veto your election should you elect to not participate in SBP or elect not to participate at the maximum level. Every retiring member is automatically enrolled in SBP for full coverage unless the spouse consents in writing to reduced coverage or no coverage.

If, as an eligible SBP participant, I elect not to participate , can I participate at a future date subsequent to retirement?

No. The election you make prior to retirement is irrevocable after you retire.

Let’s say I am an eligible SBP participant, married with children at the time of retirement, and, with my spouse’s consent, choose children-only coverage. May I elect spouse coverage in the future or, should my spouse predecease me, for a new spouse acquired in the future?

Va Benefits For Dependents

For a child to qualify for benefits as a dependent child or surviving child of the veteran, there are also two requirements.

The child must be either:
A biological child,
a stepchild of the veteran.

The child must be either:

of qualifying age: under 18, or between 18 and 23 if pursuing education, OR

a helpless child: permanently incapable of self-support before the age of 18.

To prove a child is the biological child of the veteran, the VA usually only requires a written statement with the childs age, date of birth, and social security number. It is rare that the VA requires additional proof, but if they do it will likely be in the form of: a copy of public record of birth a copy of baptism record an official report from the service department that the birth occurred while the veteran was in service

Or an affidavit or certified statement from a physician attendant at birth a copy of a family record properly certified by a notary public or an affidavit or certified statement of a disinterested person who can attest to personal knowledge of the childs biological relationship to the parents.

If the veteran was married when the child was born and the veteran is the childs biological parent, no additional proof of the relationship is required. If the veteran is the childs biological mother and the child was born outside of a marriage, the same rule applies.

Who Is Entitled To Survivor Benefits

If you are married or have lived in a conjugal relationship your spouse may be entitled to a survivor benefit.

The claimant must have been married to you at the time of your death, or, if common-law, prove that he or she lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year before your death. The relationship must have started before you left the public service and have continued up to the time of your death.

If you die within one year of marriage, no survivor benefit is payable unless there is satisfactory proof that your health at the time of marriage was such that you expected to survive for at least one year.

For your common-law survivor to receive benefits under the public service pension plan, he or she must be prepared to provide documented proof that a relationship of a conjugal nature actually existed. This proof normally takes the form of statutory declarations from disinterested persons who attest to the relationship, along with bills or receipts, mortgage papers, leases, joint bank accounts, credit accounts or any other relevant documents.

If you have both a legal spouse and another eligible survivor with whom you have lived in a conjugal relationship, the survivors benefit will be apportioned between them. Each survivors share of the benefit will be based on length of cohabitation with you.

Death Benefits For Survivors Of Veterans

Veterans’ Survivors Benefits | Widows | DIC Benefits (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation)

You are paying for the veteran’s burial and funeral costs.
No other organization will reimburse you.

You must be the surviving spouse, legal partner, child, parent, or executor/administrator of the veteran’s estate. The veteran:

Must not have received a dishonorable discharge
Must have died under one of several certain circumstances, such as they:
Were receiving a veterans pension or compensation
Had a claim open for compensation or pension
Died while receiving VA care

These examples are not a complete list.

For more information, contact the VA or call them at .

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How Does Social Security Help You When Your Loved One Dies

When someone dies, you should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as you can.

The Social Security Administration will provide information and access to certain benefits when your spouse has died.

There is a one-time Death Benefit, payments under Survivors Benefits, and you may be eligible to apply for your deceased spouses Social Security Retirement benefits.

To learn more about these provisions read on or view this link. .

The Basics About Survivors Benefits

. If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of those taxes you pay are for survivors benefits. Your spouse, children, and parents could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings.

. You and your family could be eligible for benefits based on the earnings of a worker who died. The deceased person must have worked long enough to qualify for benefits.

For more information, please read .

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Eligibility For A Va Survivors Pension As The Child Of A Deceased Wartime Veteran

You may be eligible for this benefit if youre unmarried and you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

Youre under age 18, or
Youre under age 23 and attending a VA-approved school, or
Youre unable to care for yourself due to a disability that happened before age 18.