Common-Law Marriage: Veteran Benefits Eligibility

Spouses of veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent TDIU classification are entitled to benefits, including healthcare and educational benefits. The veteran is also entitled to additional monetary help for the spouse and for other eligible dependents. This includes the spouses of those in common-law marriages, as long as they were living together and acting as husband and wife before the date that their state stopped recognising common-law marriages.

Spouses of 100% disabled veterans are entitled to benefits

The spouse of a 100% disabled veteran may be entitled to healthcare benefits. They are also entitled to educational benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This is a monthly payment to help with the costs of education, including college, career training certificate programs, apprenticeships, and even on-the-job training.

Other benefits that spouses of disabled veterans may be entitled to include health insurance, federal or state job hiring preference, commissary and exchange privileges, and more.

It is important to note that not all benefits are available to every spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. For example, PCAFC benefits are not available to every spouse. Additionally, while most spouses must use their DEA benefits within 10 years of becoming eligible, some spouses who became eligible recently have no time limit for using this help.

In terms of common-law marriages, it is important to note that the VA will respect common-law marriages for VA spousal benefits if the couple was living together and acting as husband and wife prior to the dates that certain states stopped recognizing common-law marriages (e.g., Georgia stopped recognizing common-law marriages in 1997, and Florida in 1968). Another requirement for VA spousal benefits is continuous cohabitation, meaning the couple cannot be living in separate houses or places, having separate lives.

Spouses of disabled veterans may be eligible for health insurance

Spouses of veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent TDIU classification are entitled to educational benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. For most spouses, this help must be used within 10 years of becoming eligible. However, some spouses who became eligible recently have no time limit for using this help. The DEA benefit is a monthly payment to help with the costs of education. Assistance may be available for college, career training certificate programs, apprenticeships, and even on-the-job training.

In terms of common-law marriages, Georgia stopped recognizing common-law marriages in 1997 and Florida stopped recognizing them in 1968. However, if you were living together and acting as husband and wife prior to those dates, the VA will respect your common-law marriage for VA spousal benefits. Another requirement for VA spousal benefits is that you must have continuous cohabitation.

Common-law marriages are recognised for VA spousal benefits

Spouses of veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent TDIU classification are entitled to educational benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. For most spouses, this help must be used within 10 years of becoming eligible. However, some spouses who became eligible recently have no time limit for using this help. The DEA benefit is a monthly payment to help with the costs of education. Assistance may be available for college, career training certificate programs, apprenticeships, and even on-the-job training. If you started or start school or training on or after August 1, 2018, you may be entitled to up to 36 months of benefits.

Spouses of disabled veterans may also be entitled to healthcare benefits. These benefits could include health insurance, federal or state job hiring preference, commissary and exchange privileges and more.

Spouses of 100% disabled veterans may be entitled to healthcare benefits

If you are the spouse of a disabled veteran, you may also be eligible for health insurance, federal or state job hiring preference, commissary and exchange privileges, and more.

It is important to note that not all spouses of 100% disabled veterans will receive the same benefits. For example, PCAFC benefits are not available to every spouse of a 100% disabled veteran. Additionally, while most spouses must use their DEA benefits within 10 years of becoming eligible, some spouses who became eligible recently have no time limit for using this help.

In terms of common-law marriages, it is important to note that the VA will only respect common-law marriages for spousal benefits if the couple was living together and acting as husband and wife prior to the dates that their state stopped recognizing common-law marriages. For example, Georgia stopped recognizing common-law marriages in 1997, and Florida stopped recognizing them in 1968.

Spouses of disabled veterans may be eligible for federal or state job hiring preference

Spouses of veterans with a permanent 100% disability rating or a permanent TDIU classification are entitled to educational benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This benefit is a monthly payment to help with the costs of education. Assistance may be available for college, career training certificate programs, apprenticeships, and even on-the-job training.

In terms of common-law marriages, the VA will respect common-law marriages for VA spousal benefits if the couple was living together and acting as husband and wife before the dates that certain states stopped recognizing common-law marriages. For example, Georgia stopped recognizing common-law marriages in 1997 and Florida in 1968.

Frequently asked questions