Survivor Benefit Guide for Veterans
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Losing a loved one who has served in the military is tragic. We never forget what he or she sacrificed as well as how much the person meant to us in our personal lives. However, as much as it hurts, we must move forward. Once we have gained some ground on the grieving process, we need to consider our own future. Survivor benefits can help.
Available Counseling for Veterans and Family Members Counseling is available for those family members left behind. This is part of the survivor benefits and called bereavement counseling. Service branches can help with making funeral arrangements or paying the bills. These service branches can also help you to know what other survivor benefits available to you over the long term. They can also assist in filling out the necessary paperwork to achieve those survivor benefits. Each branch of service has its own special phone number that can guide you to the assistance you need. Below are the numbers you can call toll-free numbers based upon each appropriate service branch: - Air Force 1-800-616-3775
- Army 1-866-272-5841
- Marines 1-800-847-1597
- Navy 1-800-368-3202
Also, an organization called TAPS, or Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, helps with survivor benefits as well as provides grief counseling and support as needed. They can be reached at 1-800-959-8277 any time, day or night. Along with financial assistance and bereavement counseling, here are a couple of other survivor benefits you could be eligible for: - DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) - Tax free benefit amount for spouses and children.
- DEA (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance - Monthly education or training money allowance for a spouse or dependent child of a veteran who died in service or from an injury sustained in the service.
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