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| Supporting America's Great Military Families |
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All Gave Some ... Some Gave All
Both Federal and State VA offers a wide range of benefits for the military veteran spouses and dependents. Benefits are available to the surviving spouses and dependents of military personnel who died while in active military service and to the survivors of veterans who died after active service. A Veteran Service Officer assists surviving spouses and dependents, free of charge, with application of benefits.
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| Federal Benefits Checklist |
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 Employment Preference for Spouses
Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans and Spouses of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Ten (10) point preference added to the passing examination score of an unmarried spouse of certain deceased veterans, a spouse of a veteran unable to work because of a service-connected disability, and the mothers of a veteran who died in service or who is permanently and totally disabled.
http://www.usajobs.gov/EI3.asp
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Education and training program for eligible dependents of certain veterans. Benefit may be used for college or university degree, certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
- A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.
- A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
Chapter 35
1-888-442-4551
GI Bill
On August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) will begin offering career military servicemembers the opportunity to transfer benefits to spouses or dependent children.
Home Loan Guaranty
A VA loan guaranty to acquire a home may be available to an unmarried spouse of a veteran or service member who died as a result of service-connected disabilities, a surviving spouse who remarries after age 57, or to a spouse of a service member officially listed as MIA or who is currently a POW for more than 90 days. Spouses of those listed MIA/POW are limited to one loan.
www.homeloans.va.gov/eligibility.htm
CHAMPVA Medical Program
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE/CHAMPUS and you must be in one of these categories:
- the spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office, or
- the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service connected disability, or
- the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was at the time death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service connected disability, or
- the surviving spouse or child of a military member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, these family members are eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).
“No-Fee” Passports
“No-fee” passports are available to immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters) for the expressed purpose of visiting their loved one’s grave or memorialization site at the American military cemeteries on foreign soil. For additional information, write to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Courthouse Plaza II, Suite 500, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201, or telephone 703-696-6897, or visit the Web site at http://www.abmc.gov/home.php.
Veteran Records - The National Archives
The National Archives can help families, next-of-kin and descendants of veterans to obtain copies of Military Service Records such as separation documents (DD-214)and medical records, and to get started with genealogical or historical research. A variety of important benefits and services are available to surviving spouses, their families, and next-of-kin from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies. Call the National Archives at 1-866-272-6272 and select Option 4.
Learn about the National Archives
eVetRecs: Request Copies of Military Personnel Records
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Payable to the surviving spouse, children and dependent parents when the veteran died while on active duty or from an injury or illness which occurred in the U.S. Armed Forces. Parents who are dependent on a veteran with a service-connected disability, or whose child died in-service or from a service-connected disability, may be entitled as dependents on the veterans compensation award or to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if they are in financial need. Parents may be biological, step, adopted, or in loco parentis. The VA adjusts monthly payments subject to certain factors.
Learn more about DIC
Death Pension for Surviving Spouse and and Dependent Children
Needs based benefit paid to an unremarried surviving spouse, or an unmarried child of a deceased wartime veteran. Payable to the surviving spouse and children of wartime veterans on a needs basis. Monthly amounts paid to surviving family members vary depending upon annual income.
Death Pension
Bereavement Counseling
Bereavement counseling is assistance and support to people with emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one. Bereavement counseling includes a broad range of transition services, including outreach, counseling, and referral services to family members.
Burial and Memorial Benefits
A burial allowance (if receiving or entitled to receive USDVA benefits at time of death), burial flag, grave marker and, if desired, burial in a national cemetary.
Oregon Military Funeral Honors Program
Burial Benefits a Spouse Should Consider Upon the Death of the Veteran
The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran is eligible for interment in a national cemetery, even if that veteran is not buried or memorialized in a national cemetery. In addition, the spouse or surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States whose remains are unavailable for burial is also eligible for burial.
Veterans and family members are also eligible for Burial At Sea. Anyone desiring burial at sea should indicate that preference in writing (in a will or other legal document).
VA Life Insurance
Insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability.
Filing a Death Claim (except SGLI/VGLI)
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits
Additional benefits to dependents requiring nursing home care or special care at home.
Social Security
Possible increase in benefits for survivors, due to service credits. Also, supplemental benefits for low-income persons.
www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/irs.htm
Spina Bifida
If you are the birth child of a Vietnam veteran and you have been diagnosed with spina bifida you may already be receiving monetary allowances, vocational training or rehabilitation due to your condition. On December 16, 2003 the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 was signed into law. This law states that Spina Bifida benefits have been extended to the natural child of a service member if the service member served in Korea during the period September 1, 1967 - August 31, 1971. The veteran must have served in the active military, naval or air service and have been exposed to an herbicide agent during such service in or near the Korean demilitarized zone.
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| Oregon State Benefits Checklist |
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Gold Star License Plates
Available through the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for $10 every 2 years for the surviving parent, spouse or dependent of a person who was killed in action during an armed conflict while serving the Armed Forces of the United States.
Oregon Veterans Home
In addition to providing nursing home care for veterans, the Oregon Veterans Home provides nursing home care for the veteran's spouse/surviving spouse, and certain gold-star parents who are now in need of nursing home and/or Alzheimer's Disease care. The 151-bed long-term care facility provides skilled nursing, Alzheimers and other dementia, and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care. The Oregon Veterans´ Home is a Medicare and Medicaid certified facility. Toll free information number 1-800-846-8460.
Learn more about the Oregon Veterans' Home
Property Tax Exemption for War Veterans Surviving Spouses
Exemption of a portion of the value from property tax for surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans. Entitled to exempt $15,814 or $19,096 of homestead property’s assessed value from property taxes. The exemption amount increases by 3 percent each year. Effective January 1, 2008, disabled veterans or the surviving spouse of a veteran, will no longer be required to refile annually if all qualifying conditions for the exemption remain unchanged.
Download the information sheet or call your County Tax Assessors Office.
Spouse and Dependent Tuition Waiver
Full tuition waiver for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an OUS institution for a child or spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who either died in active duty, became 100% disabled in connection with military service, or died as a result of a disability sustained on active duty after September 11, 2001.
The student must be a child (includes adopted child or stepchildren), a spouse, or un-remarried surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who:
1) died while on active duty after 9/11/01, or
2) died due to a service connected condition incurred after 9/11/01, or
3) incurred a service connected condition(s), rated at 100% by the Department of Veteran Affairs, after 9/11/01.
An eligible child must be 23 years of age or younger at the time the child applies for the waiver.
Download the Dependent Tuition Waiver Application
Public Records
Help in obtaining copies of records necessary for veterans' benefits claims.
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