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In this post, Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 18 Best VA 100 Percent Permanent and Total Disability Benefits for Dependents!
We’ve also compiled a complete list from A-Z of little-known 100 disabled veteran benefits for dependents along with tips, strategies, and lessons learned so you know how to get them.
And we even took the time to order them by the level of importance (in our opinion) and the amount of benefit you can receive for you and/or your dependents.
Okay, let’s deep-dive some of the top VA benefits for dependents.
- What are the Best VA 100 Percent Permanent and Total Disability Benefits for Dependents?
- 18 Amazing 100 Disabled Veteran Dependent Benefits [2024]
- #1. VA Disability Compensation Pay at the Max Rate
- #2. Additional VA Disability Pay for Dependents
- #3. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Dependents
- #4. Property Tax Exemption for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans and Dependents
- #5. Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) for Dependents
- #6. Chapter 36 Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
- #7. CHAMPVA Health Insurance for the Dependents 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
- #8. Folds of Honor Educational Scholarships for Dependents of Disabled Veterans
- #9. VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound Program for Dependents
- #10. Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Benefits for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
- #11. VA Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver for Disabled Veterans and Dependents
- #12. Special Restorative Training and Special Vocational Training for Dependents
- #13. VA Burial and Plot Allowances
- #14. Military Base Commissary Privileges In-Person and Online
- #15. Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Program
- #16. FREE Space A Travel for Disabled Veterans and Dependents
- #17. Free Entrance to National Parks for Disabled Veterans
- #18. Free State Education Benefits for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans
- Want to Increase Your VA Disability Rating? WE CAN HELP!
- Conclusion and Next Steps
- About the Author
What are the Best VA 100 Percent Permanent and Total Disability Benefits for Dependents?
18 Amazing 100 Disabled Veteran Dependent Benefits [2024]
#1. VA Disability Compensation Pay at the Max Rate
Perhaps the very best benefit available to 100 percent disabled veterans is VA disability compensation pay. If you have a disability condition that was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, you may be eligible to receive tax-free monthly compensation for life. Veterans can prepare and file their own VA disability compensation claim for FREE by opening a Notice of Intent to File on the VA.gov website for a VA disability increase or first-time filer. An “Intent to File” puts the VA on notice that you’re planning to file a VA claim, which is important because it sets an effective date for when you could start getting benefits while you prepare your disability claim and gather supporting documents (Note: Limited to 12-months of back pay from your Notice of Intent to File date, unless in an appeal situation). Click HERE to view the 2023 VA disability pay chart.
#2. Additional VA Disability Pay for Dependents
Disabled veterans with a current VA disability rating of 30% or higher are eligible for an increase in monthly VA disability compensation to help support your family. Disabled veterans can apply online for free and add/remove dependents at any time on the VA.gov website inside their VA disability claim online application. The application typically takes 30 days or less to add or remove dependents. Sometimes the VA will call or write to verify your dependent status.
#3. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Dependents
If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Click HERE to find out if you’re eligible for VA DIC benefits
#4. Property Tax Exemption for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans and Dependents
One of the top 100 percent VA disability benefits available is PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS! While many states offer property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, did you know there are 18 states with full property tax exemptions for 100 percent disabled veterans? While not all 50 states offer the same tax breaks for disabled veterans, and the criteria to qualify for a waiver differs from state to state, it’s in your best interest to check with your state county tax assessor’s office to see if you qualify. You may be eligible to save thousands of dollars each year with this incredible state benefit due to reduced or no property taxes owed on your primary residence.
#5. Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) for Dependents
The VA Chapter 35 benefits program, also called Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), provides education benefits and/or special restorative training for eligible dependents (children and spouse) and survivors of certain veterans and service members. Eligible dependents can receive up to 36 or 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits for any of the following: College, technical, or vocational degree programs, independent study, online distance learning, or correspondence courses, high school diploma or GED programs, educational and career counseling programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and/or career training certificate courses. Generally, a disabled veteran must be 100% P&T due to a service-connected disability for dependents to qualify. Click HERE to find out if you’re eligible for this incredible benefit for survivors and dependents of eligible disabled veterans.
#6. Chapter 36 Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
As the dependent family member of a service member or veteran with a service-connected disability, you might be able to get educational and career counseling benefits through Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (Chapter 36). You may be eligible for this benefit if you meet both of these requirements: (1) you’re the dependent of a veteran, and (2) you’re eligible for certain VA education benefits. These VA education benefits include: The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30), or the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606).
#7. CHAMPVA Health Insurance for the Dependents 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a health insurance benefits program in which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shares the cost of certain health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. Generally, CHAMPVA covers the cost of most healthcare services and supplies that are medically necessary for eligible beneficiaries. In a nutshell, if you’re 100 percent permanently and totally disabled by the VA, your dependents qualify for completely FREE civilian healthcare! This is an amazing benefit for 100% P&T disabled veterans. You must apply by mail, and it takes 12-16 weeks to process your application. Want to know if CHAMPVA is any good? Click HERE to learn more.
#8. Folds of Honor Educational Scholarships for Dependents of Disabled Veterans
This benefit is a hidden-gem for the dependents of disabled veterans! The non-profit Folds of Honor foundation offers two exceptional educational scholarship programs for the dependents of disabled veterans. The Children’s Fund Scholarship (veteran must have a VA rating of 90% or 100%) serves K-12 students while the Higher Education Scholarship (must have a VA rating of 10% or higher) serves those seeking a first bachelor’s degree or a certification at a post-secondary institution. Both types of the Folds of Honor academic scholarships are based on “unmet need” as determined by documentation submitted by the awardee and can be valued up to $5,000 per dependent per school year. The funds can be used to cover tuition, fees, books, room and board, uniforms, etc. You must apply each year to receive the scholarship. Click HERE to learn more about Folds of Honor scholarship eligibility requirements.
#9. VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound Program for Dependents
The VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound program is a VA Pension Benefit that helps cover the costs of daily living for housebound veterans and/or those in nursing homes. Aid and Attendance benefits are a form of Special Monthly Compensation added to the amount of a monthly pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If the Veteran requires help with daily activities or he/she is housebound, click HERE now to learn more. Pro Tip: You can’t receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound at the same time. You’ll need to pick one or the other.
#10. Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Benefits for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
VA Special Monthly Compensation, also known as VA SMC benefits, is additional tax-free compensation that can be paid to disabled veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. For disabled veterans, VA Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances, such as the need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability. For example, the loss or use of a creative organ SMC-K, which is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) for men and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder for women. Pro Tip: Yes, you can apply for SMC online at VA.gov! Click HERE to view the 2023 VA SMC pay rates.
#11. VA Home Loan Funding Fee Waiver for Disabled Veterans and Dependents
Disabled Veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher qualify for a waiver of the VA home loan funding fee. Effective January 1, 2020, VA home loan funding fees range from 1.4% to 3.6% of the total loan amount (less any down payment). For example, let’s say a first-time veteran home buyer purchases a $300,000 home and makes a down payment of $15,000 (or 5% of the $300,000 VA home loan). You’ll pay a VA funding fee of $4,702.50, or 1.65% of the $285,000 loan amount. Note the funding fee applies only to the VA loan amount, not the purchase price of the home. So, if you’re a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher, you are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee! Disabled veterans can check eligibility requirements HERE. Pro Tip: Veterans can download their VA Certificate of Eligibility form online, which shows the amount of benefit available to you.
#12. Special Restorative Training and Special Vocational Training for Dependents
The VA may approve Special Restorative Training, if needed, to help the dependents of Chapter 35 benefit recipients to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability so you can work toward your educational or training goal. Alternatively, the VA may approve Special Vocational Training to help dependents overcome a physical or mental disability.
#13. VA Burial and Plot Allowances
Surviving spouses and dependents may qualify for allowances to help pay for a veteran’s burial and funeral costs. You may be able to get Veterans burial allowances if you’re paying for the burial and funeral costs and you won’t be reimbursed by any other organization, like another government agency or the Veteran’s employer. If the Veteran died of a service connected disability ON or AFTER September 11, 2001, the maximum VA Burial Benefit Allowance is $2,000 or $1,500 for a Veteran who died of a service connected disability BEFORE September 11, 2001.
#14. Military Base Commissary Privileges In-Person and Online
Commissaries, Exchanges, and MWR facilities are now available in-person and online for disabled veterans with a service-connected VA rating between 0% and 100%, effective January 1, 2020. If you’re wondering “Are all disabled veterans eligible for in-person and online commissary, exchange, and morale, welfare and recreation privileges on military installations?” The answer is YES!
#15. Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Program
The Disabled Veterans Life Insurance program is a VA program that provides insurance for disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from 0% to 100%. The basic program, commonly referred to as “RH Insurance”, insures eligible Veterans for up to $10,000 of coverage. Totally disabled veterans who are unable to work may apply for additional coverage of up to $30,000. Click HERE to review eligibility and application requirements.
#16. FREE Space A Travel for Disabled Veterans and Dependents
With the passage of the Disabled Veterans Access to Space-A Travel Act, disabled veterans with a service-connected 100% permanent and total disability rating can jump on any scheduled or unscheduled military flight within the continental United States under Category 6 operated by Air Mobility Command (AMC), subject to availability. Click HERE for the AMC official Space A travel page.
#17. Free Entrance to National Parks for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans with a 100% permanent and total VA rating are eligible to receive FREE lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The completely free Military Pass is a way to thank America’s veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military and their dependents for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters. Certain disabled veterans qualify for the Interagency Access Pass, which is a lifetime free pass for any veteran with a permanent disability. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping, guided tours, etc. For more information visit USGS Store – Access Pass.
#18. Free State Education Benefits for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans
Some states offer FREE college benefits to some veterans and the dependents of 100% disabled veterans. In Texas for example, the Hazelwood Act provides veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 hours of tuition free college at state schools. In the state of Florida, the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions. Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Click HERE to see if your state offers free education for disabled veterans.
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Conclusion and Next Steps
I hope you enjoyed this “Ultimate Guide” to the 18 Best VA 100 Percent Permanent and Total Disability Benefits for Dependents!
We covered a TON of amazing 100 veterans disability benefits for dependents of veterans with a 100% VA rating.
And now it’s on you to take action to secure them.
Knowledge becomes power through action, and I want you to get all the benefits you legally and ethically deserve for your honorable service to our country.
If you liked this blog post, please share it so we can help even more veterans secure the veteran benefits they’ve earned.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
