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How Long Do You Have To Be Married To A Veteran To Get Benefits?

How Long Do You Have To Be Married To A Veteran To Get Benefits - Who Qualifies For VA Survivor Benefits - If You Marry A Veteran Do You Get Health Benefits

How long do you have to be married to a veteran to get benefits?

In this article, you’ll learn about: 

  • how long you have to be married to get veteran benefits 
  • who qualifies for veteran benefits
  • will your spouse receive your disability when you die
  • if the spouses of vets get healthcare
  •  what benefits do spouses of deceased veterans get
  • how long it takes to get the benefits 

Keep scrolling to learn more.

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How Long Do You Have To Be Married To A Veteran To Get Benefits?

There are no marriage length requirements when you’re married to a veteran to get benefits. 

Veterans receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a reward for their service. 

If you’re married to a veteran, you might be wondering if you qualify for any of these benefits. 

The eligibility for a spouse to receive veteran benefits depends on the type of benefit in question.

  • VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from service-related injuries or diseases, there is no specific marriage length requirement. However, you must have been married to the veteran before the date of their death. (VA DIC)
  • VA Pension: If you’re the surviving spouse of a veteran who served during wartime, you may be eligible for the VA Pension. For this benefit, there’s no minimum marriage length requirement, but you must not have remarried after the veteran’s death.
  • VA Health Care: Spouses may be eligible if they fall under specific categories like being the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of VA-rated service-connected conditions or being the spouse of a permanently disabled veteran due to a service-connected issue. (VA Healthcare)
  • GI Bill Education Benefits Transfer: Veterans can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses. The veteran must have served at least six years in the military and agree to serve four more years when making the transfer.
  • Home Loans: Spouses may be eligible for VA home loan benefits if they’re the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or from service-connected causes, or if they’re the spouse of a prisoner of war or service member missing in action.

Who Qualifies For VA Survivor Benefits?

The VA Survivor Benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to eligible survivors of deceased veterans. 

These benefits are designed to offer financial support to the families of those who have served in the U.S. military.

The qualifications for VA Survivor Benefits are:

  • Relation to the Veteran: The person must be a close relative to the deceased veteran. Eligible relations include:
    • Surviving spouses, even if they remarry after the age of 57.
    • Unmarried children under the age of 18.
    • Children who become permanently incapable of self-support before the age of 18.
    • Unmarried children between the ages of 18 and 23 if they attend a VA-approved school.
  • Veteran’s Service Record: The deceased veteran must have:
    • Served on active duty or active duty for training and died due to a service-related disability, or
    • Been receiving or entitled to receive VA Compensation for a service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling.
  • Duration of Marriage: For surviving spouses:
    • The marriage to the veteran must have started before January 1, 1957, or
    • The marriage must have begun within 15 years of the veteran’s discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the veteran’s death began or worsened, or
    • The surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least one year.
  • Character of Discharge: The veteran’s discharge should not be under dishonorable conditions.

Will My Wife Receive My VA Disability When I Die?

Your wife will not receive your VA disability benefits directly when you die. 

However, let’s say you have a 100% disability rating or die from a service-connected condition.

Your wife might qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). 

DIC is a tax-free benefit for eligible survivors of veterans. 

So, while she won’t get your VA disability, she may get DIC if she meets the criteria.

The criteria were laid out in the previous section.

If You Marry A Veteran Do You Get Health Benefits?

When you marry a veteran, health benefits are not automatically granted to you.

However, let’s say the veteran has a service-connected disability rated at 100% permanent and total.

You might qualify for medical benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).

Through CHAMPVA, qualified spouses receive coverage for certain medical services and supplies.

To get these benefits, the spouse must apply and meet specific criteria.

The criteria for CHAMPVA is that you have to be a widow(er) or child of veterans who:

  • Are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability
  • Died from a service-connected disability
  • Died in the line of duty and the dependents are not otherwise eligible for Department of Defense TRICARE benefits

For an individual to be eligible for CHAMPVA, they must meet the following criteria:

  • Cannot be eligible for TRICARE, which serves the families of active-duty, retired, or deceased military personnel.
  • Must be the child or spouse of a veteran who meets one of the conditions mentioned above.
  • Children are eligible up to age 18. This can be extended to age 23 if the child is a full-time student at an accredited school and both the primary and secondary schools are Veterans Affairs (VA) approved. Once a child turns 18, they must meet certain criteria to continue receiving CHAMPVA benefits, such as being unmarried.
  • The recipient must not be included under another health insurance plan. If they are, then CHAMPVA becomes a secondary payer.

What Benefits Do Spouses Of Deceased Veterans Get?

Spouses of deceased veterans can receive several benefits:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A tax-free monetary benefit for spouses if the veteran’s death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
  • Survivors Pension: A tax-free monetary benefit for low-income, un-remarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans with wartime service.
  • Burial Benefits: Help with funeral and burial expenses for veterans who meet certain criteria.
  • Educational Assistance: The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers training and education assistance.
  • Home Loan Guaranty: Spouses may use the VA’s home loan benefit to buy a home, refinance, or make home improvements.
  • Health Care: The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) provides health care coverage for eligible spouses.
  • Death Pension: A tax-free monetary benefit for un-remarried surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans, based on financial need.
  • Commissary and Exchange Privileges: Some spouses can shop at military commissaries and exchanges.

How Long Does It Take To Get VA Survivor Benefits?

The time to process VA survivor benefits varies based on the specific benefit and individual circumstances. 

Here’s how long it takes to get each of the VA survivor benefits:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Typically processed within 6 to 8 weeks.
  • Survivors Pension: Usually takes 2 to 3 months.
  • Education Benefits: Often processed within 30 days.
  • VA Home Loan Certificate Of Eligibility: This can be received in a few weeks.
  • Burial Benefits: Reimbursements usually come within a few weeks.

FAQs About How Long You Have To Be Married To A Vet To Get Military Benefits

Here are other questions related to this topic. 

Do Spouses Of Veterans Get Nursing Home Benefits?

Yes, spouses of veterans can get nursing home benefits. 

Here are the nursing home benefits that spouses of veterans can get:

  • VA Aid and Attendance: This benefit can help cover the costs of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other long-term care for spouses of veterans.
  • State Veterans Homes: Some states have veterans homes that offer nursing care to spouses of veterans. Availability and eligibility can vary by state.
  • VA Community Living Centers: While primarily for veterans, some centers may offer care to veteran spouses, depending on space and resources.

Do Spouses Of 100% Disabled Veterans Get Benefits After Death?

Yes, spouses of 100% disabled veterans do receive benefits after the veteran’s death. 

Here’s what benefits the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran gets after death:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A monthly payment if the veteran’s death was service-connected or if the veteran was rated 100% disabled for a certain period before death.
  • Survivors Pension: A financial benefit for spouses of deceased wartime veterans, based on need.
  • CHAMPVA: Health care coverage for spouses if the veteran was permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition.
  • Education and Training: The DEA program offers tuition and training support.
  • Burial and Memorial: Eligibility for burial benefits and burial in a VA national cemetery.

To sum it up, spouses of 100% disabled veterans can access various benefits.

This includes financial, healthcare, and educational support, after the veteran’s death.

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