On Memorial Day, VA Honors the Men and Women Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice Defending Our Country and Our Way of Life
“To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."
On
Memorial Day Americans across the Nation come together to honor the sacrifices
of those who were willing to stand up for our country's ideals and risk their lives
to secure freedoms that we all enjoy. While we can never repay the families who
lost their loved ones to the horrors of war, the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) stands by Lincoln’s words by offering a variety of benefits and services
for those who have lost loved ones in defense of our Nation.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in
the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related
injury or illness, may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Ninety-six percent of
DIC recipients in fiscal year 2022 are surviving spouses. About 69 percent
of survivors receiving DIC are related to Vietnam Era Veterans. For
additional information see About VA DIC For Spouses,
Dependents, And Parents | Veterans Affairs
Survivor's Pension
Pension is a needs-based benefit designed to provide certain wartime
Veterans and their survivors with a minimum level of income that raises their
standard of living. Surviving spouses and dependent children of
deceased wartime Veterans are eligible for monthly pension benefits if they
meet the net worth and income requirements. About 74 percent of all
survivors' pension recipients are aged 75 and older. Just under half (45%) are
survivors of World War II (WWII) Veterans. For more information see VA Survivors Pension | Veterans Affairs.
Education
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
183,944 beneficiaries received DEA education benefits during fiscal year 2022. DEA is a VA educational assistance program designed for spouses and children of certain Veterans or Servicemembers. For additional information visit the following link: Survivors’ And Dependents’ Educational Assistance | Veterans Affairs (va.gov).
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
The Fry Scholarship, which was established under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, provides eligible spouses and children with financial support for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing. Spouses and children of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who dies in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, may qualify for this benefit. During fiscal year 2022, 794 spouses and 3,304 children received Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits under the Fry Scholarship. For more information on the Fry Scholarship, please visit Fry Scholarships | Veterans Affairs (va.gov).
Home Loan Guaranty
The
VA Home Loan Guaranty program helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible
surviving spouses purchase, build, retain, and adapt homes. An unmarried
surviving spouse of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability or a
spouse of a Servicemember who is missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war
(POW) may be eligible for a VA home loan. During fiscal year 2022, 5,313 un-remarried
survivors had home loans guaranteed by VA. For additional information on VA
Home Loans, see VA Home Loans
Home.
Invitation to Apply for
Benefits
VA encourages all Veterans
to learn about VA programs and to apply for the benefits and services they have
earned. Programs are administered through three VA administrations. Follow
these links for detailed information, eligibility criteria and application
instructions.
·
Veterans Benefits
Administration - https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
·
Veterans Health
Administration - https://www.va.gov/health-care/
·
National Cemetery
Administration - https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/
. The PACT ACT and your VA benefits - The PACT Act And Your VA Benefits | Veterans Affairs
. Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) is VA’s newest whole life insurance program that offers cash value and very competitive premium rates. Enrollment opened on Jan. 1, 2023, for all service-connected Veterans age 80 and under.
Contact Information
Prepared by the
Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Enterprise Integration, Office of Data Governance and Analytics, National Center for Veterans
Analysis and Statistics. For questions, please email us
at VANCVAS@va.gov.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Annual Benefits Report - Veterans Benefits Administration Reports (va.gov) Fiscal Year 2022, February 2023.