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VETERANS LIFE INSURANCE HQ
We Protect Veterans operates at a level most agencies can’t match. We know the VA inside and out—its gaps, its limits—and combine that with deep expertise in the private market to secure real protection that actually holds up. Our team of seasoned veteran and civilian professionals isn’t made up of desperate salespeople—we’re disciplined, experienced, and focused on getting it right. You wouldn’t send a team fresh out of bootcamp on a critical mission, and your family is the most important mission there is. The difference is simple: real protection vs. being left exposed when it matters most.
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MYTH
"My VA disability rating automatically continues for my family after I die."
fACT
Your disability compensation stops at death. Your family must separately apply for DIC if your death was service-connected, or Survivors Pension if you were a wartime veteran. These are different programs with different eligibility rules — they don't transfer automatically.
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MYTH
"CHAMPVA is free health care for all military families."
fACT
CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing health insurance program, not free care — and it's only for specific family members of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled at 100%, or who died from a service-connected condition. Military families typically use TRICARE, not CHAMPVA. If you qualify for TRICARE, you do NOT qualify for CHAMPVA.
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MYTH
"If my surviving spouse remarries, they lose ALL VA benefits."
fACT
It depends on the benefit. DIC payments stop if a surviving spouse remarries before age 57 — but can be restored if the new marriage ends. The Fry Scholarship now carries over even after remarriage (updated rules effective Jan 2025). Surviving Spouse pension does stop upon remarriage, generally.
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MYTH
"Aid & Attendance is a separate VA benefit I can apply for on its own."
fACT
Aid & Attendance is an add-on to a VA pension, not a standalone program. You must first qualify for and receive either a Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension before the A&A extra payment can be added to it.
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MYTH
"If I get an Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge, I get zero VA benefits."
fACT
An OTH discharge does NOT automatically disqualify you from everything. You may still receive mental health care, care for service-connected conditions, MST-related care, and Vet Center counseling. Apply and let the VA determine your eligibility — don't assume the door is closed.
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MYTH
"The VA covers all my funeral costs."
fACT
The VA provides a partial burial allowance — up to $978 for non-service-connected deaths (as of Oct 2024), and up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths. Average funeral costs run $7,000–$12,000+. The VA does NOT pay the full bill.
MYTH VS.FACT
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MYTH
"Veterans Pension is just another name for disability compensation."
fACT
These are completely different programs. Disability compensation is for service-connected conditions regardless of income. Pension is a needs-based program for low-income wartime veterans who are 65+ or permanently disabled — no service connection required. You can potentially receive both, but they are not the same.
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MYTH
"VA dental care is included with VA health care for everyone."
fACT
Most veterans do NOT receive free VA dental care. It's only available to veterans with certain conditions (like 100% P&T rating, former POWs, etc.). Most enrolled veterans can buy discounted dental insurance through VADIP — but that's not the same as free dental benefits.
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MYTH
"My family gets my full GI Bill benefits after I die."
fACT
GI Bill transfer to dependents must be done WHILE on active duty, before separation. If a service member dies in the line of duty, their family may qualify for the Fry Scholarship instead — which provides similar education benefits. The two programs have different eligibility rules.
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Aid & Attendance / Housebound
Extra monthly pension money for veterans (and surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities or are confined to their home.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans or survivors already receiving a VA pension who need daily personal care, are bedridden, live in a nursing home, or have severely limited vision.
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Added to — not separate from — pension payments
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Housebound = mostly confined to home due to permanent disability
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Cannot receive both A&A and Housebound simultaneously
Vocational Rehab & Employment
Also called Chapter 31. Helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs — or live more independently.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating AND an employment handicap. Apply within 12 years of discharge or first VA disability rating.
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Job training, education, resume help
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Independent living services if unable to work
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Subsistence allowance while in training
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VA Dental & VADIP
Free VA dental care is limited — but the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) provides discounted private dental insurance for enrolled veterans.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR FREE CARE:
100% P&T rated veterans, former POWs, veterans whose disability is dental-related, and certain other groups. Most veterans do NOT get free dental.
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VADIP available to any VA health care-enrolled veteran
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Covers diagnostics, preventive care, root canals, surgery
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CHAMPVA beneficiaries also eligible for VADIP
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VA DISABILITY COMPENSATION
Monthly, tax-free payments for veterans who got sick or injured during military service, or whose service made an existing condition worse.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans with service-connected conditions — physical or mental — including PTSD, TBI, hearing loss, chronic pain, cancers from toxic exposures (PACT Act), and more.
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Ratings from 0% to 100% in 10% increments
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Higher pay with dependents
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100% P&T rating unlocks additional benefits
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PACT Act expands presumptive conditions (burn pits, Agent Orange, toxic exposure)
VA Health Care
Comprehensive health care through the VA system — primary care, mental health, specialty care, prescriptions, and more.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans who served on active duty and were NOT discharged dishonorably. Most veterans qualify. Combat veterans get enhanced eligibility (up to 10 years after discharge).
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Priority groups 1–8 (disability rating affects group)
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Mental health care available regardless of discharge status
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OTH discharge? You may still access care for service-connected conditions
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PACT Act expands eligibility for toxic exposure veterans
Veterans Pension
Monthly payments for low-income wartime veterans who meet age or disability requirements.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Wartime veterans (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War) who are 65+ OR permanently disabled, with income and net worth below Congress-set limits.
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Must have at least 90 days active duty with 1 day wartime
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Non-service-connected — you don't need a disability rating
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Payment based on the difference between income and MAPR (Maximum Annual Pension Rate)
Veterans Benefits
For active-duty members, retired veterans, and those separated from service.
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CHAMPVA
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA — health insurance for eligible family members who don't qualify for TRICARE (DoD's program).
WHO QUALIFIES:
Spouse or dependent child of a veteran who is: (1) 100% permanently & totally disabled from a service-connected condition, OR (2) died from a service-connected condition, OR (3) was P&T rated at time of death.
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Covers inpatient/outpatient care, prescriptions, mental health
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Cost-sharing program — not 100% free
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Primary caregivers in the PCAFC program may also qualify
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FSGLI (Family Life Insurance)
Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance — automatic life insurance coverage for spouses and dependent children of active-duty service members with SGLI.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Spouses and dependent children of active-duty service members who have full-time SGLI coverage.
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Up to $100,000 for spouses (cannot exceed member's SGLI amount)
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$10,000 free coverage for each dependent child
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Must convert within 120 days of separation, divorce, or death to keep coverage
VADIP for Families
Family members enrolled in CHAMPVA are also eligible for discounted dental insurance through VADIP.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Surviving spouses, dependent children enrolled in CHAMPVA.
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Delta Dental and MetLife plan options
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Covers preventive, restorative, emergency dental care
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Premiums lower than typical private insurance
Family Member Benefits
For active-duty members, retired veterans, and those separated from service.
For surviving spouses, children, and parents after a veteran or service member passes away.
Tax-free monthly payments to surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members or veterans who died from a service-connected condition.
WHO QUALIFIES:Spouse or dependent child of a veteran who is: (1) 100% permanently & totally disabled from a service-connected condition, OR (2) died from a service-connected condition, OR (3) was P&T rated at time of death.
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Covers inpatient/outpatient care, prescriptions, mental health
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Cost-sharing program — not 100% free
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Primary caregivers in the PCAFC program may also qualify
FSGLI (Family Life
Insurance)
Monthly income-based payments to low-income surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Surviving spouse or unmarried dependent child of a wartime veteran who had an honorable discharge, with household income and net worth below legal limits.
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Does NOT require the veteran's death to be service-connected
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Payment = difference between your income and the MAPR
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Can add Aid & Attendance or Housebound if needed
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Surviving spouse who remarries generally loses eligibility
VADIP for
Families
Free grief counseling through VA Vet Centers for surviving family members after the death of a service member or veteran.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died while serving, veterans who were receiving Vet Center services, or veterans/service members who died by suicide.
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Completely free — no copays, no enrollment required
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Available at community-based Vet Centers
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Telehealth (phone/video) appointments available
Survivor Benefits
For surviving spouses, children, and parents after a veteran or service member passes away.
Aid & Attendance for Survivors
Added monthly pension payment for surviving spouses who receive a Survivors Pension AND need help with daily activities or are housebound.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Surviving spouse already receiving the Survivors Pension who needs personal care assistance, is bedridden, in a nursing home, or has limited vision.
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Separate application required (VA Form 21-2680)
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Cannot receive A&A and Housebound at the same time
Whether you're separating, retired, or a surviving family member — this guide covers disability compensation, health care, survivors benefits, burial honors, education, home loans, life insurance, caregiver support, and more. We also bust the most common myths veterans and families fall for.
Every VA Benefit.
One Page. No Runaround.
EDUCATE
ADVOCATE
SERVE
National Cemetery Burial
Eligible veterans, their spouses, and certain dependent children may be buried in any VA national cemetery at no cost to the family.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable with at least 24 months of active duty (or shorter if medical discharge). Active-duty service members, National Guard/Reserve who died on active duty.
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Grave opening & closing, liner, headstone/marker — all free
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Perpetual care of the gravesite — free
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Spouses and dependent children also eligible
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Cremation AND traditional burial both covered
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Apply for pre-need eligibility in advance (highly recommended)
VA Burial Allowance
Partial reimbursement for burial and funeral costs for those who paid out of pocket — NOT full cost coverage.
WHO QUALIFIES:
The person who paid for the burial (surviving spouse, child, parent, friend, or funeral director) who was not reimbursed by another source, and the veteran was not dishonorably discharged.
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Service-connected death:up to $2,000 (deaths after 9/11)
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Non-service-connected death:up to $978 burial + $978 plot (as of Oct 2024)
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Transportation reimbursement to national cemetery
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Covers cremation, burial at sea, body donation
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File within 2 years for non-service-connected deaths
Memorial Items
The VA provides a range of memorial items to honor a veteran's service — all free of charge.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died while serving, veterans who were receiving Vet Center services, or veterans/service members who died by suicide.
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Burial flag— for eligible veterans
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Headstone or grave marker— for any burial type, even private cemetery
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Presidential Memorial Certificate— signed certificate honoring service
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Medallion— for private headstones, to indicate veteran status
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Plaque or urn— for cremated remains in a columbarium
Burial & Memorial Benefits
Honoring veterans with dignity — burial in national cemeteries, flags, headstones, and financial assistance.
VA Home Loan Guarantee
VA-backed loans let veterans buy, build, improve, or refinance a home with competitive rates, no down payment required in most cases, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard/Reserve members who meet service requirements. You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
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No down payment required (in most cases)
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No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
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Competitive interest rates
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Limits on closing costs
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Reusable benefit — you can use it multiple times
Surviving Spouse Home Loans
Surviving spouses of veterans may qualify for a VA-backed home loan with the same benefits — no down payment, no PMI, competitive rates.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who: died in service or from a service-connected disability, is MIA/POW, or was totally disabled then died (even if disability wasn't cause of death).
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Need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
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Surviving spouses who remarried after age 57 and after Dec 16, 2003 may still qualify
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Receiving DIC: use VA Form 26-1817
Disability Housing Grants
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants help veterans with service-connected disabilities modify or build accessible homes.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities (like loss of limb, blindness, severe burns, or certain mobility limitations).
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SAH grants up to $109,986 (2024 rates)
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SHA grants up to $22,036
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Usable up to 6 times over a lifetime
VA Home Loan Benefits
For veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance — automatic low-cost term life insurance for active-duty service members.
WHO QUALIFIES (VETERAN):
Must have a VA disability rating of 70%+, need at least 6 months of personal care, and be enrolled in VA health care. Who qualifies (Caregiver): Must be 18+ and be a spouse, child, parent, stepfamily, extended family member, or someone who lives with the veteran full-time.
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Monthly stipend paymentfor Primary Family Caregiver
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CHAMPVA health care if caregiver doesn't have other coverage
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Mental health counseling
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Respite care (at least 30 days/year)
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Free legal and financial planning assistance
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Access to military commissaries and exchanges
Program of General Caregiver Support Services
For caregivers of veterans who don't qualify for PCAFC — still provides peer support, skills training, coaching, and referrals.
WHO QUALIFIES:
Any caregiver of a veteran enrolled
in VA health care. No disability rating
minimum required.
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Peer support mentoring
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Skills training and coaching
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Telephone and online support programs
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Referrals to VA and community resources
Caregiver Support Benefits
For family members caring for seriously injured or ill veterans at home.
Quote yourself. Apply on your terms.
No call-center runaround. Run your own numbers and start an honest application whenever you're ready — and reach a real person at We Protect Veterans the second you want one.
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