Military Survivor Benefits
Losing a servicemember or veteran can bring significant emotional, financial, and practical challenges. In addition to navigating grief, surviving family members may need to understand and apply for benefits available through military and veterans programs.
Eligibility for survivor benefits depends on several factors, including whether the deceased was an active-duty servicemember, veteran, reservist, or military retiree and the circumstances surrounding their death.
Understanding some of the primary programs available can help families identify benefits they may want to explore.
Survivor Benefits at a Glance
Benefits available to eligible military survivors may include:
Casualty assistance following an active-duty death
A military death gratuity
Survivor Benefit Plan payments
Continued healthcare through TRICARE
CHAMPVA healthcare coverage for certain survivors
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Education assistance
VA Survivors Pension
Each program has its own eligibility requirements, so not every survivor will qualify for every benefit.
Casualty Assistance
When a U.S. servicemember dies while on active duty, survivors are assigned a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO).
The CACO serves as a liaison between the family and the servicemember's branch of service. They can help answer general questions, coordinate funeral arrangements, and guide families through the process of applying for benefits and entitlements.
Families dealing with the many responsibilities following a military loss may also find the Survivor Checklist helpful for organizing important next steps.
Military Death Gratuity
The military death gratuity provides a one-time, tax-free payment to designated beneficiaries following certain qualifying deaths.
For eligible servicemembers, the payment is $100,000 and is intended to help survivors address immediate financial needs following the death.
A servicemember may designate multiple beneficiaries to receive portions of the benefit.
Survivor Benefit Plan
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides eligible beneficiaries with continuing monthly income following the death of a servicemember or participating military retiree.
For active-duty servicemembers, eligible beneficiaries may receive coverage automatically. Military retirees can elect to participate in the program and pay applicable premiums so that a portion of their retirement income can continue to an eligible beneficiary after their death.
TRICARE Coverage for Survivors
Eligible surviving family members may be able to continue receiving healthcare coverage through TRICARE.
The type and duration of coverage can depend on the military status of the deceased and the survivor's relationship to them. Different eligibility rules may apply to survivors of active-duty members, military retirees, and members of the National Guard or Reserve.
Because circumstances vary, families should review their individual eligibility and available healthcare options following a loss.
CHAMPVA
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as CHAMPVA, provides healthcare benefits for certain eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and children of veterans.
Individuals eligible for TRICARE generally are not eligible for CHAMPVA.
Covered services may include healthcare such as inpatient and outpatient services, mental health services, prescription medications, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and certain medical equipment.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit available to certain eligible survivors.
Eligibility may apply when a servicemember or veteran dies from a qualifying service-related injury or illness or when other disability-related requirements are met.
DIC is not automatically provided simply because someone may be eligible. Survivors must apply and provide the required supporting documentation.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) can help eligible spouses and children pay for education or job training.
Eligibility may extend to families of certain servicemembers and veterans who died, were missing or captured, or had qualifying service-connected disabilities.
For families planning for education or career development following a loss, this benefit may provide important financial assistance.
VA Survivors Pension
The VA Survivors Pension may provide financial assistance to qualifying surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased veterans.
Eligibility depends on factors that include the veteran's service as well as the survivor's income and net worth.
Some survivors could potentially qualify for both DIC and the VA Survivors Pension, but the programs have separate eligibility requirements and payment rules.
Finding the Support That's Right for Your Family
Military survivor benefits can be complex, particularly when a family is trying to determine which programs apply to their circumstances while coping with a loss.
Survivors do not have to understand every program immediately. Gathering important documents, identifying potential benefits, and seeking qualified assistance can help families take the process one step at a time.
For a practical resource to help organize some of the responsibilities that can follow a military loss, download the Survivor Checklist.
Author - Navy Mutual
