When a veteran passes away, their surviving spouse often faces emotional and financial challenges. Understanding the available benefits can provide essential support during these difficult times. This brief veterans benefits guide outlines the resources available to surviving spouses, including burial benefits, pensions, and VA Aid and Attendance. We’ll cover both Federal VA benefits as well as those specific to Washington State and explore how to access benefits to help cover senior living expenses.
Are There Benefits for Spouses of Veterans?
Absolutely. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides several benefits to surviving spouses—these range from pensions and healthcare coverage to burial services. One of the most critical programs for financial relief is the Non-Service-Connected Disability Pension with Aid and Attendance, which provides monthly income to eligible veterans and their surviving spouses.
The Elder Veterans Legal Aid Group, P.C.(EVLAG), explains key criteria in more detail to help us understand what the VA uses to determine eligibility. Consider the term marital status.
Here’s what EVLAG says:
There is a different benefit amount for a single veteran vs. a married veteran and a surviving spouse.
As a surviving spouse, the veteran and spouse had to be married for at least a year, married at the time of death, and eligibility is based on the last marriage.
In summary, to qualify, spouses must meet specific criteria:
- They must have been married to the veteran for at least one year.
- They must have been married at the time of the veteran’s passing, with eligibility determined by the final marriage.
- Divorced spouses are not eligible for VA benefits.
Documentation Required to Prove Marital Status:
- Marriage certificate (or a child’s birth certificate from the union).
- Veteran’s death certificate, if applicable.
Maximum Monthly Aid & Attendance Benefit Amounts (2024):
- Married Veteran: $2,727
- Single Veteran: $2,300
- Surviving Spouse: $1,478
- Married – Both Veterans (both require care): $3,649
Overview of Veterans Benefits for Surviving Spouses
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of benefits to surviving spouses.
Below are the key benefits available:
- Disability Compensation: Monthly payments to eligible surviving spouses.
- Healthcare Coverage: Access to VA healthcare services.
- Housing Assistance: VA home loan guaranty programs for eligible spouses.
- Life Insurance: VA life insurance policies to support families.
- Education and Employment: Training, career development, and educational benefits.
- Burials and Memorials: Comprehensive burial benefits are discussed further below.
- Pensions: Income support for the spouses of wartime veterans.
For more detailed information, visit this Federal Veterans Benefits Guide.
Spouses of eligible veterans who reside in Washington State may also be eligible for Washington State Veterans Homes. These Medicaid and Medicare-certified facilities provide 24-hour nursing care, medical care, pharmacy services, and more. Learn more here.
Veterans Burial Benefits
Veterans’ burial benefits honor a veteran’s service to their country and provide their family with meaningful support. Surviving spouses may receive assistance with burial expenses, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. They are entitled to burial at no cost in one of the 155 VA national cemeteries across the U.S., where their name, birth, and death dates can be inscribed on a headstone. Additionally, perpetual gravesite care ensures a lasting tribute.
Even if the veteran is not buried in a VA cemetery—or if the spouse passes away before the veteran—the surviving spouse or dependent is still eligible for burial in a VA cemetery as well.
Learn more about how to plan for burial in advance or how to apply for burial benefits when needed.
This guide by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs allows families to plan in advance for a veteran’s or loved one’s final resting place and allows you to determine if you or your loved one is eligible for burial in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetary or State Veterans Cemetary.
Understanding VA Aid and Attendance
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a tax-free pension available to veterans who served during wartime and their surviving spouses. This monthly benefit is intended to assist those who need additional care. Eligibility for Aid and Attendance depends on meeting one of the following conditions:
- You need help with daily activities such as bathing, eating, or dressing.
- You are bedridden due to chronic illness.
- You reside in a nursing home.
- Your eyesight is limited (corrected to 5/200 visual acuity or less) or your field of vision is severely restricted.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during a period of war.
- They must have been discharged honorably or under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Surviving spouses must have been married to the veteran at the time of their passing.
Income and Asset Limits:
Applicants must meet the VA’s Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR) and stay below the asset limit to qualify for Aid and Attendance.
Eligibility and Application Process for Veterans Benefits
To access these veterans benefits, surviving spouses must submit the appropriate documentation. Generally, eligibility requires:
- Proof of marriage to the veteran at the time of their passing.
- Discharge documentation showing the veteran’s service was under honorable or qualifying conditions.
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs has a decent Veterans benefits guide, so definitely check it out.
In addition to national programs, the families of deceased veterans who have resided in Washington State for at least one year may be eligible for County Veteran Assistance Programs.
Additional Resources and Support
Assisted living and other senior living options can be expensive, and paying for this is a challenge for many seniors. Consider these statistics from the EVLAG website– The average assisted living community costs $4,500 monthly for room, board, and care, and in-home care averages $27-$35/hr, but the median monthly income for a senior over 65 is $4,200. This is a recipe for financial strain. There are programs and benefits out there to help absorb a large portion of these costs, yet many seniors and their families are not aware of these options or how to access them.
That’s where we come in. At Concierge Care Advisors, we’ve guided many families through the complexities of VA benefits and can help you access the financial support you or your loved one earned in the Service. Not only can we help you look at all the benefits that might be available to you, but we will also help you find senior living communities that fit your lifestyle and budget. 95% of our placements never have to move again- we believe in truly getting to know you and understanding your needs so we get it right the first time. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back—reach out today to secure the benefits you deserve. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
For legal and eligibility questions, our Preferred Partner Elder Veterans Legal Aid Group, P.C. (EVLAG) is a great resource. A zero-net profit law firm dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, they specialize in helping veterans and spouses explore options to cover the costs of in-home or residential care. Call them at 800-878-2149.
