TRICARE is the health insurance program for military families, retirees and survivors included. Take the eligibility quiz at https://tricare.mil/Plans to see which would suit.
My Mother collected Veterans benefits in the form of a check each month and had insurance and drug coverage (CHAMPVA) through the VA. The situation was a bit different ..my Dad was in WW 2 and was a POW. He never received any benefits and died at 66. But I was able to get them for her. She just passed away at 103. The extra money each month allowed her to stay in her home. We are most grateful to the VA
Call your local VA office.. They will give you best direction. Or make an appointment and go see them in person. Or , speak with a licensed ( competent ) Social Worker who may be able to get some answers for you....
Contact the VA administration. If one department doesn't know, call another. Sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is going. Ask to get everything in writing.
I've found some of my answers on VA website (when staff, even managers, do not know). Still. Ask for verification in writing.
My father passed away in 1998 from a war related cancer. My mom was able to get monthly widows compensation and health insurance through Champ VA. When she turned 65 she had to apply for Medicare and use Champ VA as her secondary. It wouldn’t hurt to call Champ VA to see what she is entitled to.
The short answer is no, but possibly. I’m a vet and do vet benefits. There are exceptions. If the veteran was 100% service-connected at the time of death, the surviving spouse should be able to get Tricare (as a secondary) plus the DIC pension. If the vet was retired military, depending on how they set up paperwork while active, the spouse could get benefits as well. Surviving spouses may be eligible for Aid & Attendance, but that’s not health insurance. Without knowing any specifics, the spouse should call the local Vet Center or VSO (Veteran Service Officer) so that they can give the veterans’ info and they can advise. Always worth a shot!
The situation was a bit different ..my Dad was in WW 2 and was a POW. He never received any benefits and died at 66. But I was able to get them for her. She just passed away at 103. The extra money each month allowed her to stay in her home. We are most grateful to the VA
If one department doesn't know, call another.
Sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is going.
Ask to get everything in writing.
I've found some of my answers on VA website (when staff, even managers, do not know). Still. Ask for verification in writing.
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