Veteran Benefits for Dependents
The government provides several benefits to military members' families. Some of these benefits are available to dependents when the service member exits the military. Dependents should take advantage of the benefits afforded to them. Many benefits can lighten their financial load and help them in stressful times. It is essential for dependents to educate themselves about benefits offered before the service member exits the military
Eligibility
To be eligible for benefits, you must be a spouse or child of a service member who was released from the military with an honorable or general discharge.
ID Privileges
Dependents of retired veterans have unlimited use of the exchange and commissary.These privileges are also available to dependents of non-retired veterans who died on active duty or veterans with a 100 percent military service disability.
Medical Care
All retired military veterans' dependents are eligible to continue Tricare health care at a cost. CHAMPVA is available to dependents who fall into one of these categories: dependent of a totally disabled veteran, surviving dependent of a veteran who died from a military service related disability, or a surviving dependent of a service member who at the time of death was considered totally disabled from military service. Only dependents not eligible for Tricare can use CHAMPVA. Both programs cover outpatient, inpatient and preventive care for dependents.
Survivor Benefits
Dependents can receive Dependents Indemnity Compensation when the service member is deceased. This benefit is tax free and accessible to the spouse and all children regardless of age. A spouse that remarries on or after the age 57 is still eligible for Dependents Indemnity Compensation.
Burial
Spouse and children may choose to be buried with the veteran in a national Veterans Affairs cemetery at no cost. The VA provides care for the site and engraves family information on the veteran's headstone at no cost to the family.
Tags: service member, available dependents, Benefits Dependents, from military, military service, dependents eligible, Dependents Indemnity
