CAREER OUTLOOK
A summary of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits
by Chris Pearce,
editors@ccgmag.com
tional rehabilitation, home loans, and life insurance. 1. Compensation and pensions.
V
Disability compensation is paid to veterans who suffer from injuries or diseases incurred during their time on active duty, or were made worse because of military service. Additional pay- ments may be made to a veteran who has a spouse or children, or who has a very severe disability, or who has a disabled spouse. The benefits are not taxed. A Veterans Affairs Pension may be paid to veterans aged 65
years and over. A person under 65 may qualify if he or she is to- tally and permanently disabled. An income test applies. Disabled veterans may also receive an Aid and Attendance benefit if the veteran needs the assistance of another person with their day to day activities such as washing and eating, or is bedridden, in a nursing home, or blind. A Housebound benefit is also available. Both are paid in addition to the pension. A Death Pension benefit is payable to surviving spouses and dependent children. There is an income test to qualify. Burial allowances include a gravesite in a national cem-
etery, a headstone or a marker, a flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and ongoing maintenance of the grave. 2. Survivor benefits. Veterans Affairs offer a number of benefits to the spouse and children of a veteran who died in service or from a service- related disability.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly payment of $1,154 (in 2009) available to a spouse. He or she will receive an extra $286 a month for each child. This is a tax-free benefit. A spouse who remarries at age 57 years or over can continue to receive the benefit. A $250 transitional benefit is also paid each month for two years if the spouse has children under 18 years. A lump sum DIC for surviving children if there is no surviv- ing spouse is currently $488 for one child. This amount reduces with the greater number of children in the family, right up to nine children who each receive $217.66. A Parents’ DIC may be paid as a monthly benefit to the parents of a veteran who dies in active service. The benefit is means tested.
72 USBE&IT I WINTER 2011
arious benefits are available from the US Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs to veterans and their spouses and children. These include compensation and pensions, survivor benefits, education, voca-
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program pays a monthly education or training allowance. The spouse or children can receive this monthly payment for up to 45 months. Work-Study Employment is available to a spouse or chil- dren who study full time or at least three-quarter time towards a degree or a vocational or professional qualification. Other benefits include Vet Center Bereavement Counseling, and Beneficiary Financial Counseling Services, as well as those listed under other headings. 3. Education.
Benefits for training and education are available under vari- ous programs. The benefit can usually be used for a degree or
Benefits for training and education are available under various programs.
certificate course, apprenticeship, flight training, or a correspon- dence course. Under some circumstances, a remedial, deficiency, or refresher course might be approved. From 1 August 2009, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay tuition and fees to an institution of higher learning, as well as for books and supplies to the value of $1,000. It will also pay a monthly housing allowance, and a one-off payment for those in rural areas. The education benefits will be available for 15 years after release from active duty and can be paid for up to three years.
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty also provides up to three years of education benefits for veterans. Benefits under this program are available for up to 10 years. The Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve offers similar
benefits to the Active Duty program but to members of reserve forces such as Army Reserve and Navy Reserve. A Reserve Education Assistance Program gives education benefits to reserve officers called up to war or national emergency.
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