Orlando Harmon
If you are a veteran or the spouse, dependent child, or survivor of a veteran, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits. These benefits can be used alongside other forms of health care coverage, such as private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Spouses, dependent children, and survivors of veterans may be eligible for health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) if certain service-connected disability requirements are met. This article will explore the eligibility requirements for VA health care benefits, including CHAMPVA, and provide information on how to apply for these benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for VA health benefits? | Spouse, dependent child, surviving spouse, surviving child, caregiver, survivors, and family caregivers of Veterans and service members |
| What are the benefits? | Health care, life insurance, money for school, support for caregivers, training, counseling, payments, VA-backed home loan, VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC), Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program, Fry Scholarship, discounted private dental insurance, free temporary accommodation, prescription medications, financial stipend, access to health insurance, mental health counseling, and more |
| What documents are required? | Social Security numbers, military discharge papers, military service history information, insurance card information, gross household income, deductible expenses |
| Can VA health benefits be used with other insurance? | Yes, VA health benefits can be used with other forms of health care coverage like private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE |
| Is there any cost to the beneficiary? | Depending on the assigned priority group, there may be a copay for non-service-connected care |
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What You'll Learn
- Spouses of veterans may qualify for health care benefits through CHAMPVA
- Dependents of veterans may qualify for health care benefits through CHAMPVA
- Surviving spouses of veterans may qualify for VA-backed home loans
- Surviving children of veterans may qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Surviving parents of veterans may qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Spouses of veterans may qualify for health care benefits through CHAMPVA
Spouses of veterans may qualify for health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA is a health benefits program for the spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans who meet certain service-connected disability requirements. To be eligible for CHAMPVA, one of the following must be true:
- You're the spouse or dependent child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability.
- You're the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability.
- You're the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who, at the time of their death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability.
- You're the surviving spouse or dependent child of a service member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct.
It's important to note that you can't receive CHAMPVA benefits if you qualify for TRICARE, the Defense Department's health care program for service members, their families, and survivors. Additionally, if you remarry before the age of 55, your CHAMPVA benefits will end on the date of your remarriage. However, if you remarry on or after your 55th birthday, you can retain your CHAMPVA benefits. If your remarriage ends before you turn 55, you may qualify for CHAMPVA again starting from the first day of the month after your remarriage ends.
CHAMPVA covers most health care services and supplies, including skilled nursing care, prescription medications, and limited vision coverage. There is also the option to purchase dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) at a reduced cost. To apply for CHAMPVA, you can submit your application online or by mail, providing the necessary documentation, such as a notice of disallowance from the Social Security Administration and proof of other health insurance coverage.
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Dependents of veterans may qualify for health care benefits through CHAMPVA
If you are a dependent of a veteran, you may qualify for health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This program is designed to provide health insurance for the spouse, dependent child, or surviving spouse or child of a veteran who meets certain service-connected disability requirements.
To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you must not be eligible for TRICARE, which is the Defense Department's health care program for service members and their families. Additionally, one of the following descriptions must be true for you:
- You are the spouse or dependent child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability.
- You are the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability.
- You are the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who, at the time of their death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability.
- You are the surviving spouse or dependent child of a service member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct.
It is important to note that if you are enrolled in school full-time or are permanently disabled, your CHAMPVA benefits will continue after you turn 18. However, if you are not in one of these categories, your benefits will end when you reach the age of 18. If you get married before the age of 23, your benefits will also end on the date of your marriage.
To apply for CHAMPVA, you can do so online or by mail. You will need to submit a copy of the front and back of your health insurance card or Medicare card, as well as a document called a "notice of disallowance" from the Social Security Administration, confirming that you do not qualify for Medicare benefits. If you have Medicare Part D for prescription coverage, you will also need to submit a copy of the front and back of your Medicare Part D card.
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Surviving spouses of veterans may qualify for VA-backed home loans
As a surviving spouse of a veteran, you may be eligible for a range of benefits, including a VA-backed home loan. This benefit can help you buy a home or refinance an existing loan. To qualify for a VA-backed home loan, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to demonstrate your eligibility to your lender. You may be able to obtain a COE if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Your spouse died while in service or from a service-connected disability, and you did not remarry.
- Your spouse died while in service or from a service-connected disability, and you did not remarry before turning 57 or before December 16, 2003.
- Your spouse was totally disabled and then passed away, but their disability may not have been the direct cause of their death (certain situations apply).
It is important to note that if you remarried before December 16, 2003, and on or after your 57th birthday, you must have applied for the VA-backed home loan no later than December 15, 2004. Additionally, you will need to meet the credit and income requirements set by your lender to obtain the loan.
Aside from VA-backed home loans, surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for other benefits, such as health care, life insurance, and educational assistance. For instance, you may qualify for health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) if your spouse was permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability. Furthermore, you may be eligible for Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage and educational assistance through the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program.
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Surviving children of veterans may qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
To qualify for VA DIC, the veteran's injuries must have made it impossible for them to work. The veteran must have had a VA disability rating of totally disabling, including for individual unemployability, for at least the eight full years leading up to their death.
To apply for VA DIC, you may need to submit the following documents:
- A copy of the front and back of your health insurance card or Medicare card
- If you have Medicare Part D for prescription coverage, you will need to submit a copy of the front and back of your Medicare Part D card
- A document called a "notice of disallowance" from the Social Security Administration, confirming that you don't qualify for Medicare benefits under anyone's Social Security number
If you are the surviving child of a veteran, you may also be eligible for other benefits, including:
- Help with burial costs
- Survivor compensation
- Money for school or to help cover expenses while training for a job through the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program (also called Chapter 35) or the Fry Scholarship
- A VA-backed loan to buy, build, improve, or refinance a home
- Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage
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Surviving parents of veterans may qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Surviving parents of veterans may also be eligible for other benefits, such as health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) if the veteran meets certain service-connected disability requirements. Additionally, surviving parents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, help with burial costs, memorial items, and bereavement counseling.
To apply for VA DIC, surviving parents can fill out an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535). It is recommended to submit an intent to file form before applying for DIC benefits, as this can give time to gather evidence and avoid a later potential start date. Evidence may include military service records, doctor's reports, and medical test results.
It is important to note that if a surviving parent has remarried, they may still be eligible for compensation if they remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and were 57 years of age or older, or if they remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and were 55 or older.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as the spouse of a veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, including health care. This is provided through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). You may be eligible for CHAMPVA if you don't qualify for TRICARE, the Defense Department's health care program for service members and their families.
You must be the spouse or dependent child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability.
CHAMPVA covers most health care services and supplies, including skilled nursing care, and may also cover prescription medications.
You can apply for CHAMPVA online or by mail. You will need to submit a completed and signed VA Form 10-7959c, along with a copy of the front and back of your health insurance card or Medicare card.
