VA - Survivor's Payments - Death Pension
Managing Agency
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121014034348/http://www.vba.va.gov
Program Description
Death pension is a benefit paid to eligible dependents (surviving spouse and/or child) of deceased wartime veterans whose deaths were not related to military service.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who served at least 90 days of active duty with one day of wartime service. The veteran's discharge from service must have been given under other than dishonorable conditions.Income limits apply. Effective December 1, 2006, the income limit for a surviving spouse without children is $7,329, while the income limit for a surviving child is $1,866. Higher income limits may apply if the surviving spouse is severely disabled or has custody of any dependent children of the veteran.
If your medical expenses are high, the benefit may help to offset your countable income.
More About the Veteran's Military Service
For veterans who first entered service after September 7, 1980, there's an additional requirement beyond the 90 day service rule. In most cases, the veteran must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which he or she was called or ordered to active duty. There are some exceptions.
National Guard and Reserve members who were activated for federal military service and later separated are considered to be veterans. In most cases, the veterans need not have served 24 months.
Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are considered to be active duty members and veterans, once discharged.
