{"note":"Surviving spouse / dependent benefits guide. Many family members are eligible for benefits they never claim. CVSOs file these forms at no cost.","programs":{"dic":{"title":"Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)","short":"Tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, children, and parents of service-connected-deceased veterans.","eligibility":["Surviving spouse: must have been married to the veteran 1+ years OR have a child with them OR married before veteran's discharge if certain conditions met","Surviving children: under 18, OR 18-23 in school, OR any age if disabled before 18","Surviving parents: low-income parents may qualify under separate criteria","Veteran's death must be related to a service-connected condition (presumed if veteran was P&T at time of death for 10+ years)"],"monthly_2025_amount":"$1,653.07 base for surviving spouse","additional_modifiers":"Plus dependent allowances ($410 for each child) + housebound/aid-and-attendance increases","form":"VA Form 21P-534EZ","download_url":"https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-534ez/","next_step":"CVSO can file at no cost — find_cvso (MCP) or /api/resources/search?type=cvso"},"survivors_pension":{"title":"Survivors Pension (Death Pension)","short":"Needs-based monthly benefit for low-income surviving spouses + children of wartime veterans.","eligibility":["Veteran must have served during wartime (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11)","Surviving spouse: low-income, no income/asset over MAPR limit","Surviving children: under 18 OR 18-23 in school OR any age if disabled before 18"],"distinct_from_dic":"DIC is for service-connected deaths (paid regardless of survivor income). Survivors Pension is needs-based and for non-service-connected wartime deaths.","form":"VA Form 21P-534EZ (same form, VA classifies based on circumstances)","next_step":"For low-income surviving spouses unsure if DIC vs Pension applies — file 21P-534EZ and let VA classify."},"dea_chapter_35":{"title":"Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA / Chapter 35)","short":"Education benefits for surviving spouses + children of veterans permanently disabled or deceased.","eligibility":["Spouse / child of veteran rated P&T (Permanent and Total) before death OR died of service-connected cause","Children: ages 18-26 (extensions possible)","Spouse: 10-year window from veteran's death (or 20 years for some cases)"],"monthly_2025_amount":"~$1,536 full-time (varies by enrollment level)","duration":"Up to 36 months (or 45 for some cases)","form":"VA Form 22-5490","download_url":"https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-5490/","distinct_from_post_9_11_transferability":"DEA is for survivors. Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability lets a still-living veteran transfer their unused months to spouse/dependents."},"champva":{"title":"CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs)","short":"Health insurance coverage for spouses + dependents of P&T or service-connected-deceased veterans.","eligibility":["Spouse or child of veteran rated P&T (Permanent and Total) for service-connected disability","Spouse or child of veteran who died from service-connected cause","Surviving spouse who has not remarried"],"coverage":"Hospitalization, outpatient services, prescriptions, dental in some cases. Pays after primary insurance.","how_to_apply":"Submit VA Form 10-10d to the CHAMPVA Center.","download_url":"https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/champva/index.asp","note":"Distinct from TRICARE which covers active-duty/retiree dependents. CHAMPVA is specifically for veteran-status-determined dependents."},"va_home_loan_surviving_spouse":{"title":"VA Home Loan — Surviving Spouse Eligibility","short":"Surviving spouses of certain veterans qualify for VA-guaranteed home loan benefits in their own right.","eligibility":["Spouse of veteran who died in service or from service-connected disability","Spouse of veteran missing in action OR prisoner of war","Spouse of P&T-rated veteran who died of any cause (must apply with DD-214)"],"benefit":"No down payment, no private mortgage insurance, competitive rates.","form":"VA Form 26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility)","download_url":"https://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/forms.asp"},"burial_benefits":{"title":"Burial and Memorial Benefits","short":"Burial in VA national cemetery, presidential memorial certificate, military funeral honors, headstone/marker.","eligibility":"Most veterans with discharge other than dishonorable. Spouse + dependents may also qualify for burial in same cemetery.","components":["Free burial in VA national cemetery (for veteran)","Free burial in VA national cemetery for eligible spouse + minor children","Presidential Memorial Certificate (mailed to family)","Military funeral honors (flag, rifle salute, taps)","Free headstone or marker, even for private cemetery burial","Burial allowance: up to $2,000 service-connected; $300-$893 non-service-connected"],"forms":["VA Form 40-1330 (headstone/marker request)","VA Form 21P-530 (burial allowance)"],"contact":"National Cemetery Administration: 1-800-535-1117 — operates 142 national cemeteries."},"sgli_vgli":{"title":"SGLI / VGLI Death Benefits","short":"Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) on active duty; Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) post-separation. Pays out to designated beneficiary at death.","eligibility":"Beneficiary on the policy at time of death. Default is \"by law\" order: spouse > children > parents > estate.","payout":"Up to $500,000 (SGLI) or up to $400,000 (VGLI). Tax-free.","contact":"1-800-419-1473","note":"Different from DIC which is a recurring monthly compensation. SGLI/VGLI is a one-time lump-sum from life insurance."}},"next_steps":["Identify which programs apply (DIC for service-connected deaths; Pension for low-income wartime; CHAMPVA for P&T spouse/dependents; etc.)","File the relevant forms — most surviving-spouse/dependent benefits use 21P-534EZ","CVSO can help: find_cvso (MCP) or /api/resources/search?type=cvso","For complex cases or appeals: find_accredited_representative (MCP)"],"related_endpoints":["/api/eligibility/screener","/api/va-forms","/api/glossary/DIC"],"crisis_line":"988 Press 1 (Veterans Crisis Line — for surviving family members in distress, this line covers grief + bereavement support too).","cached_seconds":86400}