Printer Friendly Page
THOSE LEFT BEHIND HAVE BENEFITS, TOO -- A
reminder
about eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) from the VA.
Here's another article to remind you of the
many benefits available from the VA.
If you don't have a copy, you should download
the 2007 edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
handbook.
Just click on the picture above to view or
download in PDF format.
Story here...
http://www.meridianstar.
com/local/local_story_1
60004913.html
Story below:
-------------------------
Veterans Corner: Those left behind
By Bobbye C. Jerone / guest columnist
The beautiful Memorial Day ceremonies around our area are still fresh in
our memories. Unfortunately, almost each of us can name a friend or
relative who has made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us can
enjoy the freedoms of our wonderful land. Some died long ago in (or from
disease or injury caused by) other wars. Some died recently, in our
present War on Terror.
But, what about those left behind by these brave warriors who have stood
in harm’s way to shield us all? What about their widows/widowers and
children? Abraham Lincoln said it best when he said a free nation’s
first responsibility is “to care for him who shall have borne the
battle, and for his widow and his orphan.” We all now seem to spend a
lot of time discussing (as we should) our brave fallen heroes. But do we
spend enough time thinking about what happens to their survivors after
taps has been played and the 21 gun salute has been shot?
Well, our nation does not forget the widow or orphan. In addition to
benefits paid to them, or provided for them, directly by the Department
of Defense; these survivors are taken care of through programs
administered by the VA.
The widow/widower and children are eligible for Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation from the VA. To be entitled to this benefit, the veteran’s
death must be the result of one of the following:
1. A disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty while
on Active Duty or
2. An injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty while on
Inactive Duty Training or
3. A service-connected disability or a condition directly related to a
service-connected disability.
Under certain conditions, DIC benefits can be awarded even though the
service connected disability did not cause the death of the veteran.
Since DIC benefits are compensation, they are not taxable, and not based
on income. The surviving spouse receives a basic payment amount for
him/herself, and an additional allowance for each dependent child. Under
certain circumstances, parents can also be eligible for DIC benefits.
Widows/widowers and children of deceased, or permanently disabled,
service connected veterans are also eligible for educational benefits
which can include everything from traditional classroom programs to
technical or vocational training-and almost everything in between.
Work-study programs and educational or vocational counseling are
provided at no cost. VA can also provide specialized vocational or
restorative training.
Medical care benefits, through the VA, are also available to survivors
of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service-connected disability.
All of these benefits combined, and the others offered by a grateful
nation, cannot begin to compensate for the loss of a loved one; but they
do help make to make the lives of the surviving spouse and children
easier-and let them know they are Not left behind or forgotten. And that
is critical.
Bobbye C. Jerone, president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 125,
Meridian. She can be reached at (601) 679-5055 or
Bvj1101@bellsouth.net.
-------------------------
Larry Scott --
