Eligibility:
· Spouse of any veteran who died of a service connected disability.
· Spouse of veteran who is totally and permanently disabled (from a service connected disability). Normally, this is a 100% SC veteran.
· Spouse of service member listed as missing in action.
· Spouse of veteran who died of a disability while the disability was being evaluated for service connection (and subsequently found SC).
Eligibility Window:
* Time: For the spouse there is a 10 year window based on the veteran becoming
100% Service Connected and permanently and totally disabled, or death due to a Service Connected condition. If the person became permanent and total in 1990 the window would extend 10 years from that date. It would not be extended by death from a Service Connected cause in 1995.
As of 2005 this 10 year window has been extended to 20 years for any spouse when the veteran’s death occurs on active duty.
Entitlement:
* Training: College, Junior College, Normal school, Professional School, Technical Institute, and other institutions that function at the secondary school level or above. Receiving a high school diploma may be part of the education process (or a G.E.D.). Remedial or refresher training may also be included. Also, apprenticeship programs, for on the job training, apprenticeship and farm cooperative training may be approved. This scope was expanded in 2005. It is advisable to check with VA Vocational Rehab on individual programs.
Counseling can be provided and there is tutor assistance with stipulations.
Money, a person in college full time would draw a monthly stipend (check RO for current dollars per month). Even more significant is the fact that you can concurrently draw DIC and other pension or compensation. This greatly enhances dollar amounts.
Finally, being 100% SC does not automatically guarantee this entitlement to spouses. Service connection for Paired Organs excludes this benefit.
Note: A person cannot just one day decide to go to college and use these benefits. They must make an appointment with RO and establish eligibility. Then they must present an education plan. The best approach is to make contact with RO early and go through the steps of developing and getting approval of an education plan.
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