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08-23-04, 12:06 PM
VA Benefits for Survivors of Military Personnel Involved in Operations Iraqi
Freedom and Enduring Freedom

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a variety of programs to assist
the survivors of military personnel who die on active duty.

Summary of Benefits
Survivors receive certain payments or benefits regardless of whether the
in-service death is due to combat, accident or disease, including:

* Burial benefits for the deceased service member, which include a
gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, perpetual care
of the grave at no cost to the family, a government headstone or marker, and
a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

* Dependency and Indemnity Compensation at the monthly rate of $967
for a surviving spouse or more if there are dependent children.

* Life insurance, which most military members carry at the highest
level, $250,000.

More information about how VA services apply in individual cases is
available from veterans services representatives at 800-827-1000.

Casualty Assistance Program
VA has a Casualty Assistance Program to give personal attention to surviving
family members after in-service deaths, and to help them with benefit
information and applications. A casualty assistance officer is designated
at each of VA's 57 regional offices. These VA officers work closely with
military casualty officers to ensure timely assistance is available to
beneficiaries.

Reservists and National Guard Eligibility
When a member of the Reserves or National Guard dies while federally
activated or on inactive duty for training, the death is considered
service-connected for VA death benefits. Activation of a National Guard
unit by a governor alone in support of current security operations does not
qualify unit members for these VA benefits, except life insurance.

Monthly Payments for Spouse and Children
When a service member dies while on active duty, the death is considered
service-connected unless it was due to willful misconduct. VA pays at least
$967 a month in Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to surviving spouses.
In most cases, survivors' claims are processed within 48 hours.

In some cases VA can pay more than $967 a month, such as a $241 benefit for
each dependent child who is unmarried and under age 18 or up to age 23 if
studying at a VA-approved school. Payments are increased if the surviving
spouse is housebound or needs a home aide. The basic rate for survivors is
adjusted annually and payments continue generally until the death or
remarriage of the spouse before age 57. Remarriage after age 57 does not
affect benefits. Additional information about benefits for family members,
to include low-income parents of the veteran, is available at
www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/ <http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/> .

Life Insurance
Most service members and reservists take VA's life insurance coverage,
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, though a few decline coverage. Most
choose coverage at the highest levels and their designated beneficiary
receives a payment of $250,000. VA has paid every claim related to
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom within 48 hours of receiving
the necessary paperwork. VA also offers beneficiaries free, personalized
financial planning through a financial services company. More information
is available at www.insurance.va.gov <http://www.insurance.va.gov/> .

Burial in a VA National Cemetery
Members of the armed forces and veterans, their spouses and dependent
children may be buried in any of VA's national cemeteries with available
space. There currently are 120 national cemeteries across the nation and 83
have available grave space. More information is available at www.cem.va.gov
<http://www.cem.va.gov/> .

Burial in a Non-VA Cemetery
Deaths of active-duty members are not covered by VA's financial burial
allowance benefits, since the military services assist survivors with
funeral expenses and the cost of burial in private cemeteries. If a family
wishes to arrange burial in a non-VA cemetery, VA will provide a headstone
or marker for the grave.

Burial in a State Veterans Cemetery
Although not a benefit provided by VA, burial in a state veterans cemetery
is an option available in many states for those who die on active duty.
Some states have residency requirements and may impose additional
limitations.

Military Funeral Honors
Upon request, the Department of Defense will provide military funeral
honors. This arrangement typically is made by the funeral director. At
least two uniformed service members fold and present the flag and play
"Taps" by a recording or a bugler. Additional information about funeral
honors is available at www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
<http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/> .

Military Burial Flags
In the case of in-service deaths, the Defense Department provides a U.S.
flag to drape the casket or to be presented at a memorial service. After
the service, the flag is given to the next of kin.

Health Care
Health care benefits for the survivors of service members killed in action
in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom are provided by the
military. For more information, see http://www.tricare.osd.mil
<http://www.tricare.osd.mil> .

Educational Assistance
When an active-duty service member dies, VA's Survivors' and Dependents'
Educational Assistance Program generally provides up to 45 months of
education benefits to the un-remarried surviving spouse for 10 years, or for
children aged 18 to 26. Currently the rate is $788 a month for full-time
attendance, with lesser amounts for part-time education. This benefit may
be used to pursue secondary school programs; associate, bachelor or graduate
degrees; technical or vocational training; apprenticeships; and other types
of training, including work-study programs. More information is available
at www.gibill.va.gov/education/C35pam.htm
<http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/C35pam.htm> .

Refund of Service Member's Unused GI Bill Contribution
If the deceased service member had contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill
education program, the designated life insurance beneficiary or surviving
spouse is entitled to a refund of the money that was collected through
payroll deduction but was not awarded in education benefits during the
service member's lifetime. Most active-duty military members participate in
this educational benefit program, which deducts $1,200 from their pay at
$100 monthly during their first year of service.

Home Loans
Surviving spouses of military members may be eligible for a VA-guaranteed
home loan from a private lender. The loan may be used to purchase,
construct or improve a home, to refinance an existing mortgage or for
certain other purposes. As with the program for veterans, VA guarantees
part of the total loan, permitting the purchaser to obtain a mortgage with a
competitive interest rate. Except for manufactured homes and other select
cases, the surviving spouse may obtain a no-downpayment loan if the lender
agrees.

Presidential Memorial Certificate Program
The service member's next of kin receives a Presidential Memorial
Certificate. Additional certificates are available for other loved ones
upon request to VA. The gold embossed parchment-style paper is inscribed
with the service member's name and bears the president's signature. It
expresses the nation's gratitude for the deceased person's military service.