StepDad was in Korean war he is deceased she and he divorced but was wondering if she would qualify for VA benefits now that she has dementia and I need care to come into my home while I am at work to help with her. She never remarried.
Your mother may qualify based on information from the VA's website: The surviving spouse if he or she: • validly married the veteran before January 1, 1957, OR • was married to a service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR • married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the veteran’s death began or was aggravated, OR • was married to the veteran for at least one year, OR • had a child with the veteran, AND • cohabited with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND • is not currently remarried.* Note: A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.
If you go to the VA's website (I cannot post the link here) look for Veteran Services. Click Death after Service, then click Spouse. You'll find related fact sheets and necessary forms.
Your area agency on aging may also have a benefits specialist who can help. Benefits.gov is another excellent resource for finding appropriate benefit programs from state and federal agencies.
Before I can answer this question I have to know your mothers age and whether or not she is disabled. If she was married to him for 10 or more years she is eligible for Divorced widows benefits if they would grant her a higher payment than what she would get on her own work record
@Joriber, based on the description above, you need to have been married for at least one year. However, you should consider meeting with a benefits specialist through your area agency on aging (visit eldercare.gov to search for your local office) or visit the benefits.gov website to be certain. There may be other programs you qualify for as well.
The surviving spouse if he or she:
• validly married the veteran before January 1, 1957, OR
• was married to a service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR
• married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the veteran’s death began or was aggravated, OR
• was married to the veteran for at least one year, OR
• had a child with the veteran, AND
• cohabited with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND
• is not currently remarried.*
Note: A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.
If you go to the VA's website (I cannot post the link here) look for Veteran Services. Click Death after Service, then click Spouse. You'll find related fact sheets and necessary forms.
Your area agency on aging may also have a benefits specialist who can help. Benefits.gov is another excellent resource for finding appropriate benefit programs from state and federal agencies.