I was searching Military.com and found this page to share. I am not very knowledgeable on the subject so if anyone has any other info on Survivor Benefits, or if you have questions about Survivor Benefits, this would be the place to post it.

Survivor Support Organizations

Grant

I am an American Legion Post Service Officer who is willng to help veterans or active duty personnel and their families with questions on their benefits.

Is it still correct that a surviving spouse can not maintain her benefits if she remarries?

It depends on her age when she remarries. She can retain medical at age 55 and retain DIC at age 57.

My father is a vietnam era veteran and he has been diagnosed with cancer. Are there any benifits for him?

quote:

Originally posted by MissingMyLoveAgain:
My father is a vietnam era veteran and he has been diagnosed with cancer. Are there any benifits for him?

Have him check with his state's office of veteran's affairs. They will have Veteran's Affairs officers who can answer this question for him.

Clinton enacted policy that allowed for veterans to receive care through the VA even if they did not retire from service. The officer can tell you if this covers your father or not.

I wish him the best.

If we elected, when we retired at 22 yrs., to not participate in the Survivor benefit program, is there a way to join now and pay "catch-up" premiums. In the quick outbrief we had on benefits (we were overseas and leaving due to a family emergency), it seemed neither important nor cost effective. Thanks for your help...Pat Lordy

quote:

Originally posted by 10992011:
I am an American Legion Post Service Officer who is willng to help veterans or active duty personnel and their families with questions on their benefits.

As I understand it Afghanistan/Iraq War surviving spouses are receiving both DIC and SBP benefits. Does anyone know of an organization that would work with me to try to get those benefits applied to Vietnam Era/Desert Storm surviving spouses who only receive DIC?

I have been told by new widows that the way they are receiving both benefits is by having the children receive the SBP, and the widow receives the DIC.

If they don't have children, they don't get both.

Who knew they could choose this clever a way to get around the system.

I am a widow of a vietnam veteran , yes you are entitled to both, they offset each other but are becoming more and more might I say, as they are discribed by Our Government!
They always find clever way's one was the money saver!! Agent Orange! They knew when our husbands would pass and know only to let them discover this (CANCER) when six months is there lifes expectancy, Yes I'm very angry, I'd rather have the love we had as to fight for what they've promised him and I! Do I hear and AMEN?

When all else fails contact Senator Tom Cole he is really on top of things to most of my knowledge!
And Do Not Give Up!!

quote:

Originally posted by drengr:
As I understand it Afghanistan/Iraq War surviving spouses are receiving both DIC and SBP benefits. Does anyone know of an organization that would work with me to try to get those benefits applied to Vietnam Era/Desert Storm surviving spouses who only receive DIC?

Senator McCain, yes our Navy man who is always for the military (HA) is ranking member of the Armed Forces Committee. I understand S. 535 (Repeal the DIC offset to SBP) was sent to that committee quite some time ago. Sen McCain isn't even on the co-sponsor list in support of the repeal. From looking at the lists today, I concluded only 9 members on that committee are co-sponsors and 11 are not. Do you think it would help if all of us widows bombarded his office with pleas?