The sacrifices made by Veterans for our country are immeasurable. In recognition of your service, various benefits and support programs are available to you and your family. While you may be familiar with benefits provided directly to Veterans, it's equally important to understand the assistance available to your children. As military-focused financial professionals at AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC (AWM&T), we’re happy to share the benefits that children of Veterans can access, including healthcare, employment, and assistance for those whose parents have passed away.
TRICARE is a comprehensive healthcare program that serves active-duty military members, Veterans, and their families, including children. Eligible children of Veterans can access a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care. TRICARE offers several plans, and eligibility can depend on factors such as the Veteran's service history, disability status, and current military affiliation.
TRICARE provides a safety net for the children of Veterans, ensuring they receive quality healthcare when needed. To learn more about TRICARE and to check your eligibility, visit TRICARE's official website.
CHAMPVA is another healthcare program available to certain children of Veterans. This program is specifically designed for eligible dependents of Veterans with total and permanent service-connected disabilities. CHAMPVA covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health services.
To qualify for CHAMPVA benefits, applicants must be the child of a Veteran who meets the eligibility criteria. For more information about CHAMPVA and how to apply, visit the official CHAMPVA website.
State governments often offer employment benefits and resources to children of Veterans. These benefits can include preferential hiring in state government positions, vocational training programs, and job placement assistance. Eligibility requirements and available benefits vary from state to state, so it's essential to check with your state's Veterans Affairs office or website for specific information.
To find your state's Veterans Affairs office, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs State Veterans Affairs Directors page.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of benefits and services for dependents of Veterans, which may include education and training assistance, home loan guarantees, and career counseling. The VA's Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program, for example, can provide financial support for education and training for eligible dependents of Veterans.
To explore VA-dependent benefits and determine your eligibility, visit the VA's official website.
The Survivors Pension, also known as the Death Pension, is a needs-based benefit available to surviving children of deceased Veterans. To qualify, the Veteran must have served during a wartime period, and the surviving child must meet certain income and net worth limits. This pension can provide financial assistance to help cover the cost of living for eligible children.
To learn more about the Survivors Pension and how to apply, visit the VA's Survivors Pension page.
DIC benefits are provided to survivors of Veterans who died as a result of their service-connected disabilities. This compensation is available to surviving children, among others, and it offers financial support to help ease the burden of losing a parent who served their country.
For detailed information about DIC benefits and eligibility criteria, visit the VA's DIC page.
In the unfortunate event of a Veteran's passing, the VA also provides burial benefits and memorial items that can extend to the Veteran's children. These benefits may include reimbursement for burial expenses, a headstone or marker for the grave, and even burial in a national cemetery.
For more information on burial benefits and memorial items, visit the VA's Burial and Memorial Benefits page.
Children of Veterans have access to various benefits and support programs that can help with healthcare, employment, and financial assistance in the event of their parent's passing.
Since eligibility criteria and benefits may change over time, it's a good practice to regularly check official government websites for the most up-to-date information on these benefits. If you have specific questions or need assistance, you can reach out to the military financial professionals at AWM&T, or call 910-307-3500 to get started.