SERVING

Those That

SERVED

Articles

VA Compensation for Spouse

By Mary J. Clark

July 19, 2018

       

VA provides pensions to low-income surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased veterans with wartime service.

     

Eligibility depends upon spouse not remarrying and children must be under 18, or under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, or have become permanently incapable of self-support because of disability before age 18.

    

The deceased veteran must have met the following service requirements for spouse to qualify:

  • For service on or before September 7, 1980, the Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a war time period.
  • If he or she entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he or she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty with at least one day during a war time period.
  • Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.

   

  

  

  

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Survivors Pension is also based on your yearly family income, which must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify.

 

While an un-remarried spouse is eligible at any age, a child of a deceased wartime Veteran must be:

  • Under 18, OR
  • Under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, OR
  • Permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18

   

Your yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify for the Survivors Pension benefit.