Spouses of U.S. veterans can access a wide range of federal benefits called derivative benefits, meaning they flow from the veteran's service record rather than the spouse's own military history. These programs cover health care, monthly compensation, pension income, and education funding. Whether you are the spouse of a living disabled veteran or a surviving spouse after a veteran's death, understanding which programs you qualify for can make a significant financial difference. This guide covers the main benefit categories, current 2026 rates, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
What Are Derivative Benefits?
Derivative benefits are benefits you receive because of your relationship to a veteran, not because of your own service. The VA administers most of these programs. The key programs for spouses fall into four categories:
- Health care: CHAMPVA (for spouses of severely disabled or deceased veterans)
- Compensation: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses
- Pension: Survivors Pension for low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans
- Education: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA/Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship
Each program has its own eligibility rules, and some require the veteran to have died or to have a specific disability rating. The section below breaks down each program.
CHAMPVA: Health Care for Veteran Spouses
CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) provides health insurance to spouses and dependents of veterans who meet specific criteria.
Who Qualifies for CHAMPVA?
You qualify as a veteran's spouse if the veteran:
- Has been rated permanently and totally disabled (100% P&T) due to a service-connected disability, or
- Died from a service-connected disability, or
- Died while rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or
- Died in the line of duty and was not dishonorably discharged
You are not eligible if you qualify for TRICARE (the military's insurance for active duty and retirees). You also lose eligibility if you remarry before age 55. Remarriage at or after age 55 does not affect CHAMPVA eligibility.
What CHAMPVA Covers
CHAMPVA covers most medically necessary services: doctor visits, preventive care, mental health treatment, hospitalization, emergency care, prescriptions, and more.
Cost sharing:
- No monthly premiums
- Annual deductible: $50 per individual, $100 per family
- Cost share: You pay 25% of covered costs after the deductible
How to Apply for CHAMPVA
- Complete VA Form 10-10d (Application for CHAMPVA Benefits)
- Gather supporting documents: proof of marriage, veteran's DD-214, documentation of the veteran's disability rating or cause of death
- Mail the completed application to the VA Health Eligibility Center (address is included with Form 10-10d)
- Processing typically takes several weeks; you will receive a CHAMPVA ID card by mail
Apply or download the form at va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/champva.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible surviving spouses when a veteran dies from a service-connected condition.
DIC Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a surviving spouse, you must have been:
- Married to the veteran for at least one year before their death, or
- Had a child together with the veteran, and
- Lived with the veteran continuously until the time of death (or, if separated, the separation was not your fault)
The veteran must have died from:
- A service-connected disease or injury, or
- Any cause while rated 100% disabled by the VA for 10 or more continuous years immediately before death, or
- Any cause while a former prisoner of war (POW) rated at least 10% disabled at time of death, or
- Active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
2026 DIC Rates for Surviving Spouses
Effective December 1, 2025, these rates apply through November 30, 2026:
| Situation | Monthly Rate |
|---|
| Base rate, surviving spouse | $1,699.36 |
| Add-on: Veteran was 100% P&T for 8+ continuous years before death (and you were married during that period) | + $360.85 |
| Add-on: Surviving spouse has children under age 18 (for first 2 years after death) | + $359.00 |
| Add-on: Surviving spouse needs Aid and Attendance | + $387.15 |
| Add-on: Surviving spouse is housebound | + $184.23 |
The 2026 rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
DIC and Remarriage
If you remarry, DIC rules depend on when you remarried and your age:
- Remarried on or after January 5, 2021, at age 55 or older: you keep DIC
- Remarried between December 16, 2003 and January 4, 2021, at age 57 or older: you keep DIC
- Remarried before age 55: you lose DIC (but may have it restored if the remarriage ends)
How to Apply for DIC
- Complete VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child)
- Gather documents: death certificate, veteran's DD-214, marriage certificate, medical evidence linking death to service if not already on file
- Submit online at va.gov, by mail to your regional VA office, or in person at a VA benefits office
- A VA-accredited claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help at no charge
Survivors Pension
The Survivors Pension is a needs-based monthly payment for low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans. Unlike DIC, it does not require the veteran to have died from a service-connected cause. The veteran simply must have served during a period of war.
Survivors Pension Eligibility
Wartime periods that qualify:
- World War II (December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946)
- Korean War (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam War (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975, or for veterans in Republic of Vietnam, February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975)
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to a date still to be set by law or presidential proclamation)
As the surviving spouse, you must:
- Not have remarried
- Have household income and net worth below VA limits
Net worth limit (December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026): $163,699. This includes assets and income but excludes your primary residence, one vehicle, and basic household furnishings.
2026 Survivors Pension Maximum Annual Pension Rates (MAPR)
The payment amount equals the difference between your countable income and the MAPR. If your income is already above the MAPR, you do not qualify.
| Household Situation | Annual MAPR | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|
| Surviving spouse, no dependent children | $11,699 | $975 |
| Surviving spouse with one or more dependent children | $15,311 | $1,276 |
| Surviving spouse, housebound, no dependents | $14,309 | $1,193 |
| Surviving spouse with Aid and Attendance, no dependents | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Surviving spouse with Aid and Attendance, one or more dependents | $22,312 | $1,860 |
Rates reflect the 2.8% COLA effective December 1, 2025.
Medical expense deduction: If your income exceeds the MAPR but you have significant unreimbursed medical expenses, you may be able to deduct those expenses to bring your countable income below the limit. Only expenses above 5% of your MAPR count (5% of $11,699 is approximately $585).
How to Apply for Survivors Pension
- Complete VA Form 21P-534EZ (same form used for DIC)
- Include financial documentation: income statements, bank accounts, asset documentation
- Include the veteran's military records and discharge documentation
- Submit to your regional VA pension management center
You can apply online at va.gov or get free help from a VSO.
Education Benefits: DEA (Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship
Two VA programs help spouses pay for college, vocational training, or other approved education programs.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)
Who qualifies:
- Spouse of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled (100% P&T) due to a service-connected disability
- Surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability or while rated permanently and totally disabled
- Spouse of a veteran who is missing in action or a prisoner of war
Benefit amount (2025-2026 rate year):
| Enrollment Status | Monthly Payment |
|---|
| Full-time | $1,574 |
| Three-quarter time | $1,181 |
| Half-time | $787 |
Duration: Up to 45 months of full-time training. Benefits are available for 10 years from the date of eligibility, unless the qualifying event occurred on or after August 1, 2023, in which case there is no time limit.
Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33)
The Fry Scholarship is available to surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. It provides Post-9/11 GI Bill-level benefits:
- Up to 36 months of tuition and fees (up to the in-state tuition rate at public schools, or up to $28,937.09 per year at private schools for the 2025-2026 academic year)
- Monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents
- Up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies
Remarriage: If you remarry, you lose Fry Scholarship eligibility. If that remarriage ends, you may regain it.
Choosing between DEA and the Fry Scholarship: If you qualify for both, you must make an irrevocable election between the two programs when you apply. Combined benefits from both programs are capped at 48 months of full-time training.
How to Apply for Education Benefits
- Go to va.gov and select "Apply for Education Benefits"
- Use Form 22-5490 (DEA) or Form 22-1990E (Fry Scholarship)
- Submit your application online, by mail, or at a VA regional office
- Once approved, work with your school's veterans certifying official each semester
Other Benefits Worth Knowing
Home loans: Surviving spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability, or who were rated 100% disabled, may be eligible for VA-backed home loans even without their own military service.
Life insurance: Some surviving spouses may be eligible for Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) proceeds if the veteran had coverage in force at time of death.
Burial benefits: If the veteran is buried in a national cemetery, burial at no cost to the family is available. A burial allowance may also be paid to surviving spouses.
State benefits: Many states offer additional property tax exemptions, vehicle registration discounts, and other programs specifically for veteran spouses. Check with your state veterans agency for local programs.
Summary Comparison Table
| Program | Who Qualifies | Benefit Type | 2026 Amount |
|---|
| CHAMPVA | Spouse of 100% P&T veteran or veteran who died service-connected | Health insurance | Covers 75% of costs after $50-$100 deductible |
| DIC | Surviving spouse; veteran died service-connected | Monthly compensation | $1,699.36/mo base |
| Survivors Pension | Surviving spouse, low income, wartime veteran | Monthly pension | Up to $11,699/year (no children) |
| DEA (Chapter 35) | Spouse of 100% P&T or service-connected deceased veteran | Education payments | Up to $1,574/mo full-time |
| Fry Scholarship | Surviving spouse of post-9/11 line-of-duty death | Tuition + housing | Up to $28,937/year tuition |
Check Your Eligibility
The programs above are not mutually exclusive. You may qualify for CHAMPVA and education benefits simultaneously, or for both DIC and education assistance. Use the free benefits screener at BenefitsUSA.org to see which programs apply to your situation based on your household size, income, and the veteran's service record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive both DIC and Survivors Pension at the same time?
No. These are separate programs and you can only receive one at a time. If you qualify for DIC, the VA will typically pay DIC since it is not income-based. Survivors Pension is needs-based and only applies if DIC does not apply (for example, when the veteran did not die from a service-connected cause).
Does remarrying end all of my VA benefits as a surviving spouse?
Not necessarily. Remarriage rules vary by program. For DIC, you can keep benefits if you remarried at or after age 55 (on or after January 5, 2021). For CHAMPVA, you can keep benefits if you remarried at or after age 55. For Survivors Pension, remarriage ends eligibility but benefits may be restored if the remarriage ends. The Fry Scholarship ends upon any remarriage.
What if the veteran died before receiving a disability rating?
You may still qualify for DIC if you can show through medical evidence that the veteran's death was connected to a service-related condition, even if the VA never formally rated it. A VSO or accredited claims agent can help gather and submit this evidence.
How long does the CHAMPVA application take?
Processing times vary but the VA generally recommends allowing several weeks after submitting a complete application. Incomplete applications take longer. Make sure to include all required documents with your initial submission to avoid delays.
Can I use DEA and the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the same time?
No. If you are the surviving spouse of a post-9/11 line-of-duty death, you can choose between DEA and the Fry Scholarship (which uses Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits), but you cannot use both simultaneously. Combined usage is capped at 48 months.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for VA benefits?
No. VA-accredited claims agents and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and others provide free help with VA claims. Hiring a lawyer is not required for initial applications. For appeals, you may want to consider an accredited attorney, but initial claims can almost always be handled with free VSO assistance.
What is the difference between a 100% rating and Permanent and Total (P&T) disability?
A 100% rating means the combined rating of the veteran's service-connected disabilities equals 100%. Permanent and Total (P&T) means the VA has determined the disability is permanent, meaning it is not expected to improve. Some benefits, like CHAMPVA, require the veteran to be both 100% rated and have P&T status. Not every veteran with a 100% rating automatically has P&T status; it must be explicitly noted in their award letter.
Where do I apply for multiple benefits at once?
Most VA benefits use va.gov as the central application portal. You can apply for DIC and Survivors Pension on the same form (VA Form 21P-534EZ). CHAMPVA uses a separate form (VA Form 10-10d). Education benefits have their own separate forms. A VSO can help you determine which applications to submit and in what order.
