Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Family Benefits for Veterans

By Jason Candanedo

Family members of United States veterans are entitled to a variety of benefits through governmental and non-governmental organizations. Financial as well as general assistance is made available to qualifying family members. Eligibility for certain benefits is dependent upon the veteran's military status and individual circumstances. Even in the event of the death or MIA status of a veteran, family members may still be eligible to receive benefits.

Before the 1940s, veterans only received their service compensation during active duty, with a pension contingent upon certain wars. They did not receive any additional benefits. Their families did not receive special government benefits either. President Franklin D. Roosevelt corrected this in 1944 by establishing the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. The act provided veterans of World War II and subsequent wars with general assistance. Eventually these benefits trickled down to the families of veterans, especially with the onset of new wars. The Vietnam War became a catalyst for the creation and growth of non-government organizations that assisted veterans' families with benefits.

Various organizations help the families of veterans to obtain benefits and services. The Department of Veterans Affairs works locally through regional offices and state government liaisons to provide help and assistance to veterans' families. The Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense also provide information concerning VA family benefits as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Benefits and services are available to families of deceased veterans, to help them in the bereavement process. These benefits and services are made available whether the veteran dies of wounds in the line of duty or as the result of other causes. Burial assistance is one of the services provided to the families of deceased veterans. The families can also receive financial compensation, home loan assistance and educational benefits.

In order for family members to receive these benefits and services, they must meet certain stipulations and eligibility requirements. The spouses of veterans and those spouses who have not remarried usually qualify for benefits. Also, dependent children of veterans, either minors under the age of 18 or those who are under 23 if attending college, are usually considered eligible to receive veterans' family benefits.

There are provisions for veterans' families set in place by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These provisions assist families with everything from counseling services to daily needs assistance. Families caring for veterans who suffered physical and mental injuries can receive help through these provisions. Group therapy and spiritual services as well as monetary assistance are provided to care-giving families to assist them in adequately caring for the injured veteran.


http://www.lenderva.com

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