Life event
Adding a spouse, updating benefits
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Veterans receiving VA disability compensation may add dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents) to their award to receive an additional compensation amount beyond the base disability rate.
Available to veterans at 30%+ disability rating with qualifying dependentsLow-cost term life insurance of up to $500,000 for active duty servicemembers and members of the Ready Reserve, automatically enrolled with opt-down or opt-out options.
Available to servicemembers on active duty or in the Ready ReserveUp to $500K coverageMax elected coverageCost-sharing health care program for the spouse and dependent children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition, and for the surviving spouse and children of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition or was rated permanently and totally disabled at death, or of a service member who died in the line of duty. Spouses, surviving spouses, and dependent children enrolled in CHAMPVA can buy discounted private dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP).
Spouses, surviving spouses, and children of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected condition, or who died from one or in the line of duty; not if eligible for TRICAREAdd your state in your profile to see state and community programs for this moment. You can also browse the full network.
A VSO rep can walk you through 21-686c at no cost. Dependency changes typically need to be filed within one year of the marriage to back-date.