What Benefits Can I Get If My Father Was in the Military?

Here’s an interesting statistic: the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will have a whopping budget of $369.3 billion in 2025. Given how much money the government allocates to veterans, what kind of benefits will trickle down to family members?

Before anything else, it must be highlighted that only a veteran or service member with an honorable discharge may be eligible for military benefits. If you have an unfavorable discharge after military service, you forfeit most of the benefits provided to service members.

But what kind of benefits can military children expect? We’ll discuss the potential perks surviving children can expect from the VA.

Monthly Payments You Can Receive

Because of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program, eligible survivors of veterans are provided a certain income. This payment is allocated to dependents of service members who passed away while on duty and those of veterans who perished because of service-connected disabilities.

Spouses are granted an average annual salary of $15,500, while a surviving child or children can receive up to $7,000. This compensation is tax-free, permitting military children to maximize the amount received.

Meanwhile, the surviving dependents of veterans who rendered active duty service during wartime may be eligible for a survivor pension. The survivor pension is exclusively available to surviving dependents (spouse or children) who remain unmarried. This compensation is forfeited if the eligible recipient gets married.

Health Care Benefits for Family Members

One of the most significant perks family members can receive from the VA is health care services. Healthcare can be costly, and access to primary care providers and specialists can save lives. Healthcare benefits also extend to medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.

Health care benefits are available to adopted, biological, unmarried, and stepchildren of veterans until they are 21 or 23 if they are enrolled in a higher education institution. Once this period lapses, they can buy Tricare Young Adult until they turn 26.

However, it should be highlighted that while the military offers vital healthcare services, vision, and dental care may incur an additional payment.

Education Benefits for Veterans and Dependents

Another vital benefit of encouraging people to sign up for active duty service is the educational programs that make studying accessible to veterans and their dependents. Select education benefits, including the GI Bill, can be transferred to military children.

Unused GI Bill education benefits are eligible for transferability to immediate family members. This particular education benefit is available to those who’ve served in the Armed Forces as an active duty member or Reserve for a minimum of six years and commit to an additional four years.

It should be highlighted that only unused education benefits can be used by a surviving child. To maximize this program, one must refer to the VA instructions.

Alternatively, military children can also use the Dependents Education Assistance Program. Regardless of which service branch their parent served in, these options are available:

• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges: This program permits service members and their dependents to finish their college degrees through compatible programs at military bases and installations worldwide.
• Scholarships and Financial Assistance: Military children can also apply for federal scholarships, loans, and grants. Select universities provide financial assistance specifically for military members and their dependents.

Select states provide grants, tuition waivers, and scholarships to veterans’ children. These options can help manage the costs of tertiary education. However, it would help to familiarize yourself with the criteria and application deadlines to maximize these educational benefits.

What Housing Benefits Are Available?

Only a surviving spouse can apply for a VA-backed home loan. A surviving child can apply for this benefit through their parent if necessary. How is this possible? Home loan benefits can be transferred through VA loan assumptions.

VA loan assumptions typically take place when a veteran dies, and the surviving child wants to keep the property with the same loan terms. If granted, the military child can enjoy the same perks, such as low interest rates and monthly payments their parent paid for that place.

All About Survivor Pension

A deceased veteran or one who incurred a service-connected disability can help their children financially through survivor benefits. These certain benefits allow them to continue studying or adjust to life without the support of that veteran.

This benefit can make a difference, especially if the veteran was the family breadwinner. Dependents can get up to $100,000 as a one-time payment if their military parent dies because of injuries from military service.

Life Insurance After Military Service

Aside from education and training benefits, life insurance is one of the most valuable privileges that can be passed on to their children. The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides up to $10,000 coverage for each dependent child.

Dependent children don’t have to pay anything, but the premium you’d have to pay increases with age. The paid life insurance is optional, and you can choose a civilian health program provided by your company or other private entities if you wish.

What Additional Support Services Can I Use?

Military bases offer dependents many other helpful programs, such as recreational and community support programs, financial assistance, and legal help. Military installations have extracurricular activities, youth programs, and summer camps for military children. They also provide counseling services to help children adjust to the challenges of being in the military community.

Legal troubles can affect anyone’s finances, and veterans’ children may be eligible for low-cost or free legal assistance with custody, estate planning, and other issues. These services help uphold the family’s interests and legal rights.

Select organizations provide emergency financial assistance to military community families facing hardships, such as housing problems or surprise medical expenses. These resources can aid them in difficult times.

What If a Veteran Was Called Back to the Military?

In addition to the many VA benefits, military children can enjoy SCRA benefits if their parents are called back to active duty. Short for Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the SCRA permits eligible parties to reduce interest rates, eviction protection, and the ability to break leases without penalties.

However, you need to prove that you’re eligible for these privileges. This entails evidence that your parent is rendering active duty service. Sometimes, getting a letter from a commanding officer takes a while. This is where SCRACVS can be of assistance. We can help you get military status verification to apply for SCRA benefits.

Conclusion

The benefits paid to veterans are pretty handsome, and fortunately, select benefits trickle down to military children. However, obtaining proof you’re connected to military personnel is key. SCRACVS can help you maximize these benefits through quick and easy military verification. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.

FAQs

Can I get money if my dad was in the military?

It’s possible if your father died while on active duty or because of service-related injuries. You may be entitled to a one-time payment and monthly allowances, if eligible.

Can I get a military discount if my dad was in the military?

You may be eligible for select discounts. However, they are not automatic; you need proof of your dad’s military service.

Does the family get money when a soldier dies?

Yes, a surviving family can get a one-time payment and monthly allowances, if eligible. The monthly compensation is tax-free.

Can I get financial aid if my parent was in the military?

Yes, you can apply for financial aid if your parent served in the Armed Forces. Select institutions offer specific programs for military children.

How does living on a military base impact my benefits as a dependent?

You have easier access to military benefits if you live at a military base. You can also build stronger ties with other members of the military community.

Am I dependent if my father is in the military?

It depends on your age and whether you remain unmarried. Select benefits are available up to a certain age only.

What qualifies a child as a military dependent?

For select benefits, you must remain unmarried and be within a specific age category. You can be a biological, adopted, or stepchild to qualify.