Learn more about the health, education, death, survivor, and other types of benefits the VA offers to spouses and dependents of veterans.

When it comes to various mental health challenges, service members and military personnel represent an especially vulnerable segment of the US population. In addition to the unique military culture and lifestyle, veterans are disproportionately affected by substance use and related mental health issues due to a combination of previous deployments and difficulties that arise once they leave the military and get back to their civilian lives.1

American veterans are covered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) which is a part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, known as the VA. The VA takes care of brave individuals who sacrificed their lives in the service of their county. The VA acts in accordance with President Lincoln’s pledge that the US will always “care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan”.2

The VA’s vision is to provide US veterans with the highest standard of care through “compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship”. VA always strives to improve its benefits for American veterans and their dependents to match or exceed the benefits offered in the private sector.2

According to SAMHSA’s NSSATS survey for 2020, 228 facilities were run by the Department of Veteran Affairs for the treatment of military personnel. In addition to these VA-run facilities, there are numerous private-run centers that offer rehab programs that are tailored to meet the needs of active or former military personnel and their families. Out of 16,066 rehab centers in the US, almost a quarter offered some type of rehab program for veterans, while their families were provided by 15% of facilities.3

Besides health-related benefits, the VA has veteran’s overall well-being in mind and offers a whole range of benefits that will make their lives easier and more comfortable, including:4

Home loans.
Insurance.
Educational opportunities.
Disability compensation.
Health care services.
Pensions.
Vocational rehabilitation.
Employment.
Compensation payments for military service-related disabilities or deaths.
Burial and memorial services.

What Are VA Benefits?

The VA benefits program provides coverage to the brave people who put their health on the line to defend the values and the lifestyle that their country strives to uphold. VA benefits extend to veterans and their family members, including their spouses, children, parents, and potentially other dependents. VA benefits also cover dependents of deceased or disabled veterans as well as caregivers who take care of veterans who were rendered unable to take care of themselves. VA benefits encompass a whole range of services that deal with issues related to health, education, and employment. VA offers survivor benefits, as well as those that are offered in the unwanted and unfortunate case of veteran death.5

VA Health Benefits

VA health benefits are designed to match or exceed those that are offered on the healthcare insurance marketplace. They are offered to US veterans, their families, and caregivers. Since every veteran’s health situation represents a unique combination of their previous military experiences and medical needs, the VA offers an individually tailored set of medical benefits that will best match their specific condition. VA health benefits include services that help veterans and their families with:6

Illnesses.
Injuries.
Prevention of future health problems.
Improvement in their ability to function.
Enhancement of quality of life.

Preventive care benefits may include services like:5

Health screenings that are a valuable tool in the detection and diagnosis of potential future issues.
Health education that covers nutrition and healthy living habits, mental health issues, and substance addiction and misuse.
Counseling sessions that inform people of their genetic predispositions, sensitivity, and susceptibility to diseases that may run in the family.
Immunization and vaccination that provide protection from various infectious diseases like COVID-19 and seasonal flu.

VA benefits also offer coverage of inpatient programs that utilize the benefits of hospital care in case of:5

Surgical procedures that the doctor deems necessary.
Medical treatments that are exclusively provided inside specialized medical facilities.
Acute hospital care that is provided in case of emergency due to critical and urgent medical procedures or short-term treatments that provide after-surgical care and patient stabilization.
Specialized care that includes traumatic injuries, organ transplants, and intensive care treatment of mental and physical issues.

Veterans can apply for these benefits through the program called TRICARE. TRICARE is a VA benefits program that provides coverage to eligible US military personnel and their beneficiaries. TRICARE plans utilize the facilities and resources of the Military Health System (MHS) in combination with the best standards and practices of the civilian healthcare sector. This enables TRICARE to provide US veterans with the highest standard of medical care available.7

The US Department of Defense (DoD) runs TRICARE programs through the Defense Health Agency (DHA). TRICARE programs are provided by the integrated global system of military facilities, including hospitals and clinics that are operated by the DoD. Patients also have an option of choosing a medical facility from a long list of civilian network providers that partner with TRICARE as authorized in-network treatment options.6

Another popular VA health benefits program is CHAMPVA, or the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. CHAMPVA is a VA benefits program that lowers the costs of healthcare services for eligible beneficiaries. It does so by sharing the cost of healthcare services for veteran beneficiaries. CHAMPVA is run by the Veterans Health Administration Office of Community Care (VHA OCC) that is located in Denver, Colorado. VHA OCC verifies CHAMPVA eligibility, authorizes benefits, and processes medical claims by eligible beneficiaries.8

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 with the aim of improving the affordability, availability, and overall quality of healthcare services offered in the US. It defined 10 essential health benefits that are mandated for coverage by all healthcare plans offered on the insurance marketplace. Mental health coverage, including substance addiction issues, is included in the list of essential benefits. CHAMPVA programs fulfill and in many cases exceed minimum essential coverage requirements defined by the ACA.9

CHAMPVA is a completely separate program from TRICARE. Individuals eligible for TRICARE won’t meet the eligibility requirements for CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA is a VA benefits program whereas TRICARE is managed by the DoD. CHAMPVA is essentially a cost-sharing program that is designed to reduce healthcare expenses for veteran beneficiaries. CHAMPVA provides healthcare payment assistance to spouses, widows, and children of disabled veterans who are:9

Permanently and totally impaired due to military service-related disability, or who are
Deemed permanently and totally disabled due to military service-related condition at the time of death, or who
Died from a military service-related disability, or who
Died while on active duty but whose beneficiaries aren’t eligible for TRICARE benefits.

For people who take care of American veterans, there is the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, or PCAFC. It’s reserved for people who care for veterans who incurred or aggravated an already existing injury while fulfilling their duty in the period before May 7, 1975 or after September 11, 2001. PCAFC provides resources, support, health insurance, education, financial stipend, and beneficiary travel to individuals who are taking care of veterans or assisting them in their everyday lives.10

To be eligible for PCAFC you must be 18 or older and:10

A spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the veteran, or
Living full-time with the veteran, or
Prepared to live full-time with the veteran if you’re designated as a family caregiver

In addition to these requirements, the veteran must need at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care services and have a:10

The VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher, and
A discharge status other than dishonorable or a date of medical discharge.

VA Education Benefits

The US Military aims to provide its personnel with the educational opportunities that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives once they exit active service. VA education benefits programs include educational benefits that help veterans and their beneficiaries find appropriate educational and training assistance. VA educational benefits for veterans include:11

Career counseling and advice.
Help in finding appropriate vocational training programs.
Help in finding the right school.
Paying for college tuition fees.

The veteran’s dependents and survivors can apply for educational benefits through the so-called Chapter 35. Chapter 35 benefits are a part of the Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This program is paid through monthly installments that last for 3 years or up to 45 months. This financial assistance can be used to cover the costs of:12

Educational or career counseling.
On-the-job training.
Certain apprenticeships.
Various courses that offer career-training certificates.
College and graduate degrees.

VA Employment Benefits

The Veteran Readiness and Employment program (VR&E), also called Chapter 31, is a VA employment benefits program. It is designed to help veterans who had a service-connected disability that is preventing them from holding a job or is impairing their ability to work. Veterans can use this program to explore potential employment opportunities. This program can also help veterans overcome certain educational and training job requirements. VR&E extends to include veteran’s family members or other beneficiaries.13

The Veteran Readiness and Employment program is offered through 5 support-and-services tracks that help veterans with different aspects of finding and keeping a job that will enable them to reintegrate into the community as productive members of society. Five tracks offered through the VR&E are:14

Reemployment track that helps veterans return to their previous jobs.
Rapid Access to Employment track that helps veterans find a job that matches their existing skill set.
Self-Employment track that helps veterans with the entrepreneurial spirit set up their own business.
Employment Through Long-Term Services that helps veterans with a service-connected disability and employment barrier start working in a new field through required education or job training.
Independent Living track that helps veterans who still can’t return to work by providing them with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) who will help them improve their everyday functioning.

For dependents and family members of veterans who have a recognized service-connected disability, there is the Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program. This program is also called Chapter 36. It helps veteran’s beneficiaries with educational and career counseling through various benefits. Chapter 36 benefits offer support with:15

Exploring the dependent’s abilities and interests.
Mapping out a possible path to employment.
Help in planning the best way to use existing VA benefits.

VA Survivor Benefits

Surviving spouses, children, and parents of military personnel can apply for a tax-free monetary benefit provided by the VA. This benefit is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or VA DIC. The exact amount the beneficiaries are eligible for will vary depending on the category of survivor they fall into.16

Surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans can also apply for a Survivors Pension that is provided as a monthly payment. Eligibility requirements for this program include certain income and net worth limits that are defined by the US Congress.17

VA Death Benefits

The VA has a death benefits program that is reserved for veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable and their family members. VA death benefits are used to plan and pay for burial or memorial service in one of VA’s national cemeteries. Cremated remains are eligible for the same benefits and honors as casketed remains. Some veterans may be eligible for burial allowances that are used to pay for burial, funeral, and transportation costs.18

Most Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable will meet eligibility requirements for burial benefits that are free of charge and include:18

A gravesite in VA’s national cemetery.
The right to a ceremonial opening and closing of a veteran’s grave.
Commemorative government headstone.
Constant maintenance of the gravesite.
A marker or a medallion.
Burial flag or a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

Benefits for spouses and dependents of veterans buried in a national cemetery extend to:18

Burial with the Veteran.
Inscription of spouse or dependents name, date of birth and death on the veteran’s headstone free of charge.
Perpetual care of the burial site.
Eligibility to be buried in a national cemetery even if their death precedes that of the veteran.

What Are VA Benefits For Spouses?

Recognizing the unique position in which the veteran’s spouse finds itself, the VA offers further benefits to spouses and children of veterans who died while on active duty after 9/11. This benefit is called Fry Scholarship after Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry who died while serving in Iraq. Eligibility requirements extend to families of veterans who served in the Armed Forces or who were members of the Select Reserve and died from a military service-related disability.19

The Fry Scholarship lasts for 36 months and includes:19

Tuition money that covers full tuition fee at an in-state public school or up to $22,805.34 annually at private or out-of-state schools.
Money to cover housing costs while studying.
Money to buy books and supplies.

What Are the VA Benefits Eligibility Requirements?

All members of the active military, naval, or air service forces who were discharged for reasons other than dishonorable are eligible to apply for VA benefits programs. Eligibility extends to include current and former members of the Reserves and National Guard who completed the full period of their active-duty service for which they were called by a federal order.2

Minimum requirements for VA benefits include all veterans who:21

Were discharged because of a disability that was aggravated or caused by active-duty service.
Were discharged for military hardship or got an early-out.
Did their military service before September 7, 1980.
Enlisted after September 7, 1980, or served active-duty after October 16, 1981, and completed 24 continuous months of military service or the full period for which they were called to serve.

Do VA Spouse Benefits Cover Drug And Alcohol Rehab?

Substance abuse among active military personnel is very rare. In addition to the zero-tolerance policy and regular tests, this is also due to a widespread stigma within the armed forces. For this reason, most service members start experiencing substance use issues once they leave active duty. Stressful episodes from the past, abrupt changes in living arrangements, and reintegration into civilian life are some of the causes which act as risk factors for potential substance misuse among veterans.1

Veteran spouses can count on coverage for up to 3 substance use treatment programs during the course of their lifetime. VA spouse benefits are in accordance with the Affordable Care Act and they include drug and alcohol rehab as one of the essential health benefits. VA spouse benefits for substance use disorders can be activated through the CHAMPVA benefits program that provides treatment in a Medicaid-certified rehab centers or in one of TRICARE approved facilities.22

Substance addiction differs from case to case and every person has to take their unique medical and personal needs into account before deciding on an appropriate treatment approach. Veterans are oftentimes unaware of the full extent of their alcohol use. The VA offers veteran spouses the choice between proven rehab approaches including:22

Outpatient treatment that includes regular and intensive outpatient programs that are delivered in a variety of settings and combine different forms of counseling, group, and individual therapy sessions.
Detoxification procedures that use proven medication to cleanse the body of toxins and are limited to seven-day stays inside a specialized inpatient rehab facility that offers constant medical supervision.
Inpatient and partial hospitalization rehab programs that are reserved for severe cases of addiction that will benefit from a structured environment and constant medical attention inside a trigger-free specialized rehab center.

If you have trouble deciding on the right treatment program, call a dedicated hotline that will help you make the right decision. You can also get in touch with proven rehab providers to enquire about tailored veteran rehab programs.

Do VA Health Benefits Cover Mental Health Treatment?

Since the adoption of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, coverage for mental health has been included on the list of 10 essential health benefits that all plans must cover. This has greatly increased the availability of proven mental health treatments including programs that deal with substance use-related issues and proved especially beneficial to all US veterans since they represent one of the most vulnerable segments of the population.23

Veterans and their spouses can apply for mental health treatment through TRICARE and CHAPMVA programs. Veterans are disproportionately affected by anxiety, PTSD, and depression issues which can lead to or be aggravated by substance use. Veterans are also especially vulnerable to suffering from a combination of mental health issues and substance use that is called dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Co-occurring disorders have to be treated by medical professionals because they have great potential to quickly and seriously degrade a person’s mental and physical health.23

Can I Lose VA Benefits Because of Drug Use?

Even though substance use isn’t common among active duty personnel, the VA is fully aware of the problems that veterans face when they get back to their everyday civilian lives. As much as 50% of veterans feel that their military career prospects would be compromised if they underwent addiction rehab treatment. In order to avoid this, veterans turn to substance use to deal with their mental health issues.24

Recognizing this problem, the VA won’t take benefits away in case of a positive drug test, but will seek to encourage individuals to look for professional help in fighting addiction challenges. Some of the options available to veterans include:24

Drug substitution therapies.
Nicotine replacement therapies.
Medical detox.
Self-help groups.
Inpatient rehabilitation.
Intensive outpatient treatment.
Outpatient counseling programs.
Partial hospitalization programs.
Residential (live-in) care.
Continuing care for relapse prevention.