Do Spouses of 100% Disabled Veterans Get Benefits?
The spouse of a veteran with a 100% disability rating is entitled to benefits, including healthcare and educational. The veteran is also entitled to additional monetary help for the spouse and for other eligible dependents. Here’s what you need to know about what may be available to the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran.
Types of Spousal Benefits
Healthcare Benefits for Spouses
When a veteran has a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent classification of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU), their spouse may be entitled to healthcare benefits. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (CHAMPVA)
CHAMPVA coverage operates much like private or employer-based medical insurance. Most medically-necessary services are covered as long as they are provided by a licensed medical professional.
Educational Benefits for Spouses
Spouses of veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent TDIU classification are entitled to educational benefits through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. For most spouses, this help must be used within 10 years of becoming eligible. However, some spouses who became eligible recently have no time limit for using this help.
The DEA benefit is a monthly payment to help with the costs of education. Assistance may be available for college, career training certificate programs, apprenticeships, and even on-the-job training. If you started or start school or training on or after August 1, 2018, you may be entitled to up to 36 months of benefits.
The amount of benefits you’ll receive depends on the type of educational program and the number of hours you’re attending. The specific amounts are adjusted annually. The numbers below are for the period from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
For both college and vocational school programs, DEA recipients will receive:
- $,1488/month if attending full time
- $1,176/month if attending at least ¾ time
- $866/month if attending half-time
- If attending less than half time but more than ¼ time, the amount of tuition and fees up to $862/month
- If attending ¼ time or less, the amount of tuition and fees up to $372/month
Benefits for apprenticeships and on-the-job training work a little differently. The monthly benefit decreases over time, with the spouse receiving benefits of:
- $945/month in months 1-6
- $710/month in months 7-12
- $466/month in months 13-18
- $237/month in months 19 and subsequent
Additional Monetary Benefits
Strictly speaking, the additional monetary compensation for dependents is a benefit to the veteran, not directly to the spouse. But, an increased benefit is available based on the veteran having a dependent spouse. Unlike medical coverage and educational benefits, the increased monthly benefit for a spouse isn’t limited to veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or TDIU classification. This increase is payable to all veterans with a 30% disability rating or higher who have a dependent spouse. However, the increase in benefits is greater at higher disability ratings.
At the 100% level, the veteran receives an additional $208.40/month for a dependent spouse. That’s a total benefit of $3,946.25 instead of $3,737.85.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
PCAFC benefits are not available to every spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Instead, this program provides support for a spouse who is designated a family caregiver for a disabled veteran with a disability rating of at least 70% who needs day-to-day assistance. Designated family caregivers have access to education and training for caregiving, mental health counseling, and travel assistance when traveling with the veteran for medical care. Some caregivers are also eligible for:
- A monthly stipend
- CHAMPVA medical coverage
- Respite care for the veteran
Benefits for the Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran
If your spouse dies with a 100% disability rating, you may be entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). For 2024, the base rate of compensation for a surviving spouse is $1,612.75/month. Under certain circumstances, the spouse may be entitled to additional compensation. For example:
- If the deceased veteran spouse had a 100% disability rating for at least eight years before their death and the surviving spouse was married to them for the full eight years, compensation is increased by $342.46/month
- If the surviving spouse has a disabling condition that necessitates regular help with daily activities, compensation is increased by $399.54/month.
- If the surviving spouse is housebound due to a disability, compensation will be increased by $187.17/month.
Benefits are also increased for each minor child.
Surviving spouses of deceased veterans may also qualify for additional benefits, such as home loan programs, financial advice, and career counseling. However, each program has its own requirements. For example, to get a certificate of eligibility for a VA-backed mortgage loan, the surviving spouse must show that the veteran died from a service-connected condition or had been totally disabled prior to their death.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Make Sure You Get the Benefits You Deserve
Whether you’re the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran who met certain qualifications, you may be entitled to benefits directly from the VA. Unfortunately, many people miss out on benefits because they don’t know what they’re entitled to, or because they don’t know how to pursue benefits or fight a denial.
Whether you’re a veteran looking to establish your right to VA disability benefits, a surviving spouse seeking DIC or other benefits, or another dependent who has been denied benefits, Disabled Vets is here for you. Our experienced advocates have a solid understanding of what is required to qualify for benefits, and how to put together a strong claim or appeal. To learn more about how we can help, call 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form here.
Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
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