Six Categories of Survivor’s Benefits: Survivor’s Pension

Survivor’s benefits are awarded to the survivors of deceased veterans, awarded based on the veteran’s service and/or service-connected disabilities.

Who is eligible? A surviving spouse; dependent children under the age of 18; children who are over 18 but permanently incapable of self-support; dependent parents, based on income; and persons who paid the veteran’s funeral expenses. 

There are six categories of survivor’s benefits; the fourth is a Survivor’s Pension under 38 C.F.R. §3.23(B). This is a benefit available to surviving dependents of a veteran whose death was not service-connected.

As with a regular pension, the veteran must have more than 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a period of war and any form of discharge other than dishonorable. There is no time limit to file a claim. 

The needs-based, tax-free award is awarded to based on a net worth bright line limit of $150,538 as of 2023. This calculation is based on assets, annual income and unreimbursed medical expenses compared to the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) — $10,757 for a surviving spouse with no dependents.

Eligibility is limited to a surviving spouse who was married to the veteran in question for at least one year prior to his/her death. A surviving spouse is ineligible once remarried. A surviving dependent child may be eligible if in custody of an eligible surviving spouse or guardian, but does not have independent entitlement.

Survivors cannot receive both Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and a Survivor’s Pension. 

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where VVA does not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.

Watch this space for more information on survivor’s benefits in the weeks to come!