 VA Benefits
Quick Links
[ Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Claims ]
[ Disability Retirement Determination by the VA ]
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Claims
AFSC assists the survivors of deceased members in preparing and proving pension or compensation and other government claims. For that purpose every member should file in the office of AFSC evidence of marriage (including proof of termination of any previous marriages by either spouse) and proof of date of birth of minor children. AFSC prepares and files the necessary claim forms and follows the claims through to completion, assisting with appeals when necessary.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is paid to a veteran's survivors when service-connected injury or disease caused, or contributed to the veteran's death or when a deceased veteran was rated totally disabled by the VA for 10 years prior to his death (or five years if immediately after separation).
Proving service-connection is frequently difficult and often impossible. AFSC personnel are knowledgeable and thorough in evaluating the necessary proof and will assist the member or the surviving family in filing the claims paperwork.
Disability Retirement Determination by the VA
Upon military retirement, you should seriously consider filing a request with the VA for determination as to whether you have a service-related physical disability. The VA will have you examined at one of their medical facilities, review your military medical records, and determine if such a disability does exist. If appropriate, VA will award you compensation with a permit waiving an equal amount of retired pay in exchange for the same number of tax free dollars of VA compensation.
Those who have a service-connected disability so adjudged by the VA may apply to the agency for re-evaluation in later years if the condition has worsened. This action could result in an increase in the amount of compensation being paid.
Educational Assistance
Educational Benefits are available from the VA under the Dependents' Educational Assistance Program to children of veterans who died of service-connected causes or who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of service-connected disability.
Generally, eligible children may receive this educational assistance
under the Program in the amount of $860 per month (effective Oct 2006
- Sept 2007) for full-time attendance (the amount is reduced for less than full time attendance) for a maximum of 45 school months. The benefit is normally available to students ages 18 to 26. Where death or disability of the parent occurs after the child's 18th birthday but before the 26th birthday, the period of eligibility runs for 8 years (or until age 31) from date of parent's death or the date the disability was determined to be total and permanent. Marriage is no barrier where the child is otherwise eligible for the assistance.
Spouses are also eligible for these educational benefits under essentially the same conditions outlined above. The period of eligibility for a spouse or surviving unremarried spouse extends to 20 years from the date the veteran was first found to have a service-connected total disability permanent in nature or from the date of service-connected death.
Social Security payments for full-time students and "parents" which were eliminated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, have been replaced by a special VA benefit called Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS). Eligibility is limited to cases where the date of service-connected death was prior to August 13, 1981, or as a result of a disability which began before that date.
VA Outpatient Dental Treatment
Veterans whose dental condition or disabilities are service-connected but not compensable in degree, and which are shown to have been in existence at discharge or release from active service, must apply to the VA for outpatient dental care within 90 days of separation. Dental treatment is provided only if not provided by the military within 90 days prior to separation.
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
VGLI is a five-year renewable term plan available to all members being retired, separated or released from active duty. Reservists who are injured while performing active duty are also eligible.
VGLI may be issued in multiples of $10,000 to a maximum of $400,000. No one may be issued VGLI in excess of the amount of SGLI carried at the time of separation from service.
Cost per month |
| Coverage | Age
0-29 |
Age
30-34 |
Age
35-39 |
Age
40-44 |
Age
45-49 |
Age
50-54 |
Age
55-59 |
Age
60-64 |
Age
65-69 |
Age
70-74 |
Age
75+ |
$400K |
$32 |
$44 |
$56 |
$76 |
$100 |
$160 |
$280 |
$450 |
$600 |
$900 |
$1,800 |
$300K |
$24 |
$33 |
$42 |
$57 |
$75 |
$120 |
$210 |
$337.50 |
$450 |
$675 |
$1,350 |
$200K |
$16 |
$22 |
$28 |
$38 |
$50 |
$80 |
$140 |
$225 |
$300 |
$450 |
$900 |
$100K |
$8 |
$11 |
$14 |
$19 |
$25 |
$40 |
$70 |
$112.50 |
$150 |
$225 |
$450 |
$ 50K |
$4 |
$5.50 |
$7 |
$9.50 |
$12.50 |
$20 |
$35 |
$56.25 |
$75 |
$112.50 |
$225 |
Option for level premium with decreasing insurance:
begins after age 60
protection decreases by 25% every five years
remains constant upon reaching 25% of original coverage
Premiums are based upon age on the 121st day after separation or age on date of application, whichever is later, and remains constant for the five year term.
Veterans currently enrolled in VGLI may renew their plan or they may convert to permanent commercial insurance at the end of any five-year term.
|
