25+ BEST Benefits for Spouses of Veterans Receiving TDIU!

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If you’re a disabled veteran who receives Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), you’re likely aware of the benefits to which you’re entitled.

But did you know there are benefits for your spouse as well?

We’ve compiled more than 25 of the BEST VA benefits that spouses of veterans receiving TDIU may qualify for, from healthcare and education to financial and support services.

Summary of Key Points

Medical and Caregiver Support: Spouses of veterans receiving TDIU may be eligible for related benefits, including health coverage, dental insurance (if the veteran is permanently and totally disabled), respite care, and caregiver support.

Education and Career Opportunities: Eligible spouses can access transferred post-9/11 GI Bill and DEA benefits, as well as the Yellow Ribbon Program for additional tuition coverage.

Survivor Benefits: Upon the veteran’s death, surviving spouses may receive compensation, survivor’s pension, bereavement counseling, and burial benefits, including national cemetery interment and allowances.

Housing, Life Insurance, and Financial Aid: Surviving spouses can apply for VA home loans, foreclosure avoidance counseling, and financial counseling.

TDIU Benefits for Spouses: The Best of the Best

Let’s take a closer look at the best TDIU benefits for spouses of disabled TDIU veterans, including medical benefits, education and career benefits, VA survivor benefits, housing assistance, and VA Life Insurance benefits.

Medical Benefits

Spouses, family members, and caretakers of TDIU veterans may qualify for medical benefits, compensation, or support programs if they meet the eligibility requirements, including the following:

>> Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs, or CHAMPVA, which covers:

Family planning and maternity care

Hospice care

Inpatient care (when you stay in a hospital)

Mental health care

Outpatient care and procedures (like office visits)

Skilled nursing care (medical care by licensed providers to help with medications, wound care, and other recovery and medical needs)

Ambulance services

Medical equipment that your provider prescribes to support your everyday activities

Organ transplants

Prescription medications

>> Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers; benefits may include:

Financial stipend

Access to health insurance

Caregiver training

Respite care

>> Mental health services for family, friends, and caregivers of veterans

>> VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP), which is discounted private dental insurance for those enrolled in CHAMPVA.

>> Camp Lejeune Family Member Program: The VA may pay or reimburse certain health care costs for families who lived at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina.

>> TRICARE: Spouses of TDIU retired service members may be eligible (CHAMPVA is the health care alternative).

>> CHAMPVA In-house Treatment Initiative (CITI): Spouses enrolled in CHAMPVA may be able to get healthcare at a VA facility.

>> Respite care: Pays for short-term care when spouses or caregivers of TDIU veterans need a break from caregiving.

>> Program of General Caregiver Support Services includes:

Free resources

Education

Support

Education and Career Benefits

There are also education and career benefits available for spouses of TDIU veterans, including:

>> Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

>> Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

>> Yellow Ribbon Program: In addition to transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the Yellow Ribbon Program helps pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.

>> Work-study program

>> Licensing and certification tests and prep courses

>> National tests and prep courses

>> Educational and career counseling for family members: Get educational and career counseling, resume support, and help finding a job or training program.

>> Career resources for military and veteran spouses: Spouses of TDIU veterans who have been separated from service for 180 days or less may be eligible for the Defense Department’s Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) program.

VA Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are available for spouses of TDIU veterans who have died, including:

>> Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Surviving spouses may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monetary benefit if the veteran died from a service-connected injury or illness or in the line of duty.

>> Survivors Pension: Monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.

>> Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance: For housebound survivors, this is an addition to the Survivors’ Pension.

>> Bereavement counseling: This includes outreach, counseling, and referrals.

>> Burial and memorial benefits: Some surviving spouses may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery; assistance applying for headstones, markers, medallions, plaques, and urns; and veteran burial allowance.

Housing Assistance

Surviving spouses of TDIU veterans may be eligible for VA housing assistance in the form of:

>> Home loans: Surviving spouses will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA, which has specific requirements, including total disability of the veteran before death.

>> Avoiding foreclosure: While the Veterans Affairs Servicing Program (VASP) is no longer accepting applications, the VA still provides counseling and support to veterans and spouses to help them avoid losing their homes.

VA Life Insurance

Another TDIU benefit for spouses (which also extends to other spouses) is VA life insurance benefits.

>> Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): Spouses of a service member covered under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) may be eligible for VA life insurance through FSGLI, which can be converted to a permanent, individual insurance policy (such as whole life) within 120 days from the date of the service member’s separation from service, death, or election to end SGLI coverage.

Pro Tip: Veterans who are totally disabled at the time of discharge can get a free two-year extension of SGLI coverage.

>> Accelerated benefits for terminally ill policyholders: TDIU veterans and spouses may qualify for SGLI extension, waivers of premiums, or accelerated benefits (up to 50% of your coverage, in $5,000 increments, before death).

>> Beneficiary financial counseling and online will prep: Beneficiaries of SGLI, Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), FSGLI, or Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) may be eligible for free financial advice and will preparation services.

Check out this video from VA Claims Insider! Benefits for Spouses of 100% Veterans

Conclusion

There are several TDIU benefits for spouses of individually unemployed veterans, ranging from education support to housing assistance and life insurance. Many of the benefits have specific eligibility criteria, so it’s important for you and your spouse to check each benefit to determine eligibility.

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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits come with TDIU?

TDIU provides total disability benefits equivalent to 100% VA compensation, including monthly payments, healthcare access, and dependent benefits like CHAMPVA for spouses. It focuses on veterans unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, extending many 100% disability perks to family members.

How much will the VA pay for my wife to be my caregiver?

Under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, eligible spouses receive a monthly stipend based on the veteran’s disability level and location (e.g., around $2,000–$3,000+ for severe needs), plus training and health coverage. Amounts vary; apply via VA for assessment.

Can I get TDIU if my wife works?

Yes, your spouse’s income or employment does not affect your TDIU eligibility, which is based solely on your service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment. TDIU focuses on the veteran’s unemployability, not family finances.

Do spouses of 100% disabled veterans get free health care?

Not always free, but spouses enrolled in CHAMPVA get comprehensive coverage with low copays (e.g., 25% of allowable costs after deductible), covering most services like hospital care, prescriptions, and mental health. Spouses may also get care at participating VA facilities through CHAMPVA’s CITI program, which covers the full cost of care. Eligibility requires the veteran to have a permanent and total service-connected disability, have died from a service-connected condition, or the spouse to be a primary caregiver under PCAFC, and the spouse must not have other health insurance.

What benefits does the wife of a 100% disabled veteran get?

Spouses (including wives) of 100% disabled or TDIU veterans can access CHAMPVA health care, education benefits via DEA or transferred GI Bill, caregiver stipends, housing loans (for survivors), and life insurance options like FSGLI, subject to eligibility criteria.

How much does 100% TDIU pay?

TDIU pays the same as 100% schedular disability rates: about $3,800+ monthly for a single veteran with no dependents in 2025 (rates adjust annually for COLA); additional amounts apply for spouses and children. Exact amounts depend on dependency status—check VA.gov for current rates.

About the Author

Katie McCarthy

Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.

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