Cameron Miranda
Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers of veterans and service members. These benefits include health care, life insurance, and money for school. While the VA defines a dependent as a spouse or a child, it is unclear whether a veteran can claim their mother-in-law as a dependent. To be eligible for dependent benefits, a veteran must have a combined disability rating of at least 30%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a disabled veteran claim their mother-in-law as a dependent? | No |
| Who can be claimed as a dependent? | Biological, adoptive, foster, step, or another qualifying type of parent. This relationship should be established for at least one year before the service member enters active duty. |
| What is the eligibility criteria for claiming a parent as a dependent? | The parent must be under the veteran's direct care and have an income and net worth that fall below the eligibility guidelines. |
| What form needs to be filled out to claim a parent as a dependent? | VA Form 21P-509 |
| What is the benefit of claiming a parent as a dependent? | It can help cover the parent's medical expenses and dependent care costs. |
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What You'll Learn
A disabled veteran can claim for a dependent parent
The VA may also provide benefits to the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness. This is called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).
The VA Dependent Parent Benefit is an additional benefit amount on top of the veteran's existing benefits. This extra benefit, which is based on need, is paid directly to the veteran and can be used for any purpose. This may include assisting with the cost of rent and utilities, buying groceries, or other necessary items. The additional cash benefit can be anywhere from $200 to $2,000 per month, depending on the veteran's disability rating, marital status, number of children, and number of dependent parents.
To file a claim for additional disability compensation for a dependent parent, the veteran must fill out and submit a Statement of Dependency of Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-509) by mail or online. The VA may be able to decide on the claim in as little as 48 hours, but it can sometimes take 7-10 business days to receive an answer. If the veteran has not received any information at that point, they can contact the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.
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A veteran's spouse and children can receive benefits
To be eligible for dependent benefits for children, veterans must have a combined disability rating of at least 30%. Once this number is reached, the veteran is eligible to file a VA Form 686-c requesting authorization for their dependents and beginning their claim to receive compensation based on the number of dependents.
Children must generally be younger than 18 or between 18 and 23 if they are attending school to qualify for benefits. Certain adult children who become seriously disabled before the age of 18 may also be entitled to DIC.
Spouses of veterans may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if they meet certain requirements. For instance, they must have married the veteran within 15 years of their discharge from military service or have been married to the veteran for at least one year. If the veteran has died, the surviving spouse may be able to receive a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). They may also be eligible for a VA-backed loan to buy, build, improve, or refinance a home.
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A veteran's spouse and children can receive health care
Once the 30% threshold is met, the veteran can file a VA Form 686-c to request authorization for their dependents and begin their claim to receive compensation based on the number of dependents. The veteran will then be notified of their eligibility to file for Dependent benefits. The veteran will begin receiving benefits within two weeks of their claim being approved.
Dependent children are generally eligible for benefits until they turn 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 if they are attending school. Certain adult children who become seriously disabled before the age of 18 may also be entitled to DIC. It is important to note that adopted children are recognized by the VA as dependents for disability benefits purposes, provided that proper documentation of legal adoption is submitted.
In addition to health care benefits, spouses and dependent children of veterans may also qualify for other benefits such as life insurance, money for school, and survivor compensation. If the veteran has served in Vietnam, Thailand, or in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the child has spina bifida, the child may be eligible for additional VA benefits.
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A veteran's spouse and children can receive life insurance
Life insurance is a valuable benefit available to veterans and their families. While I could not find explicit information on whether a disabled veteran can claim their mother-in-law as a dependent, I did find details on how a veteran's spouse and children can receive life insurance.
Spouse Eligibility
A veteran's spouse may be eligible for life insurance coverage under the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program. FSGLI is a term life insurance program that provides coverage to the spouses and dependent children of Servicemembers insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). This means that if a veteran has SGLI coverage, their spouse and dependent children will automatically be insured under FSGLI.
Children Eligibility
Dependent children of veterans may also be eligible for life insurance coverage under the FSGLI program. Additionally, certain adult children who become seriously disabled before the age of 18 may be entitled to receive benefits under the Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. To continue receiving benefits after a child turns 18, the veteran must inform the VA that the child is enrolled in school full-time.
Applying for Coverage
To apply for FSGLI coverage, spouses and dependent children of veterans can use the Servicemembers' Online Election System (SOES) to enroll or make changes to their coverage. If SOES is not accessible, the SGLV 8286A form can be used to make changes to FSGLI coverage.
Additional Benefits
In addition to life insurance, spouses and dependent children of veterans may be eligible for other benefits, such as healthcare, educational assistance, and survivor benefits. For example, the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) provides financial assistance for spouses and dependent children of veterans to pursue education or job training. Furthermore, spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery and assistance with burial costs.
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A veteran's spouse and children can receive money for school
In addition to the DEA program, there are other sources of financial assistance available to the spouses and children of veterans. The Fry Scholarship, for example, is available to the spouses and children of veterans who died on or after September 11, 2001. This scholarship provides money for tuition, housing, books, and supplies. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is another option that offers medical care and benefits to spouses and dependent children of 100% service-connected disabled veterans.
Furthermore, the VA also offers work-study programs that can help spouses and dependent children of veterans earn money while enrolled in college, vocational school, or professional training programs. Spouses and children may also be eligible for health care benefits, life insurance, and educational and career counselling through the VA. It is important to note that eligibility for these benefits may depend on factors such as the veteran's disability rating and the age of the spouse and children.
To apply for these benefits, spouses and dependent children can work with accredited representatives or VA counsellors to navigate the process. They can also submit their enrollment information online and notify the certifying official at their school of their application for VA education benefits. By providing the necessary documentation and meeting the eligibility criteria, spouses and children of veterans can access financial assistance for their educational pursuits.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a disabled veteran cannot claim for their mother-in-law. Only a veteran's spouse, dependent child, surviving spouse, surviving child, or parent can claim benefits.
A disabled veteran can claim health care, life insurance, or money for school for their spouse.
A disabled veteran can claim health care, life insurance, and money for school for their dependent children. Certain adult children who became seriously disabled before turning 18 may also be entitled to DIC.
A surviving spouse may be eligible for VA DIC, a tax-free monetary benefit, or a VA Survivors Pension. They may also be eligible for burial costs, survivor compensation, and other benefits.
A surviving child may be eligible for VA DIC or a VA Survivors Pension. They may also be eligible for money for school or to help cover expenses while training for a job through the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program or the Fry Scholarship.
