The first article in this series on the PACT Act introduced readers to the PACT Act and explained what positive changes this new law brings to veterans and their family members. It also gave online resources (Uniform Resource Locators) where veterans and their family members can read about and file for PACT Act benefits.
The second article answered the following questions: 1. What does it mean to have a presumptive condition for toxic exposure? 2. What are the Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veteran eligibility requirements? 3. How can veterans file a claim for presumptive conditions?
The third article covered Vietnam-era veteran eligibility, the new Agent Orange presumptive conditions and locations the VA has added, the new radiation presumptive locations the VA has added, and information on getting VA benefits.
This fourth and final article on the PACT Act covers information for the survivors of veterans.
Can veterans’ survivors get compensation payments under the PACT Act?
In accordance with the VA website titled THE PACT AND YOUR BENEFITS, at https://bit.ly/3ARbVrn, the answer is Yes. If you are a surviving family member of a veteran, you may be eligible for these benefits:
A monthly VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) payment. 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). Learn more about VA DIC at https://bit.ly/3rcIrzS.
A one-time accrued benefits payment. You may qualify if you are the surviving spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent of a veteran whom the VA owed unpaid benefits at the time of their death. Learn about eligibility and the evidence needed to support VA pension, DIC, or accrued benefits claims at https://bit.ly/3SAC1pH.
A Survivors Pension. A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits. You may qualify if you are the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with wartime service. Learn about Survivors Pension at https://bit.ly/3RixtDp.
What if the VA denied a survivor’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claim and the survivor believes he or she is now eligible?
If the VA denied a survivor’s claim in the past and believes the survivor may be eligible now, the VA will try to contact the survivor. However, survivors should not wait for VA to contact them before they reapply. Survivors can submit a new application for VA DIC. Learn about the eligibility and how to apply for DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents, at https://bit.ly/3rcIrzS.
What other VA benefits are survivors eligible for?
In accordance with the VA’s website Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors and Family Members at https://bit.ly/3THXKgW, you may be eligible for these VA benefits as the surviving family member of a veteran:
Burial benefits and memorial items such as a gravesite in a VA national cemetery or a free headstone, marker, or medallion. Read more at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/.
A burial allowance to help with the veteran’s burial and funeral costs. You may qualify if you’re the veteran’s surviving spouse, partner, child, or parent. See https://bit.ly/3dKZkyx for details.
Education and training. You may qualify if you’re the survivor of a veteran who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-connected disabilities. Learn more at https://www.va.gov/education/.
Health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). You may qualify if you’re the survivor or dependent of a veteran with a service-connected disability. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3UKQNfu.
A VA-backed home loan. You may qualify if you’re the surviving spouse of a veteran. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3fcQqKm.
Find out more about family member benefits at the VA website entitled VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors and Family Caregivers at https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/. As the spouse or dependent child of a veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the veteran — and for yourself.
Filing for benefits can be complicated and confusing so veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors should use a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), whose services are free, or a VA Accredited Attorney or Claims Agent to help understand VA and State benefits and file for those benefits.
VA’s Office of General Counsel maintains a list of VA-recognized organizations and persons that are authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefits claims at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.
Below are the phone numbers and email addresses of other S.C. and Ga. county VSOs in The Island News’ footprint.
Beaufort County
The Beaufort County Veterans Service Office,100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. Additional appointment venues are the Blufton Library, Burton Wells County Park, Lobecco Library, and St. Helena Library. The phone no. is 843-255-6880, and the fax no. is 843-255-9445. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, by appointment only.
Other counties
Colleton County: Janet D. Smith, Walterboro, S.C., 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
Charleston County: David J. LeBlanc, Sr., N. Charleston, S.C., 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org.
Hampton Coiunty: Sharon Johnson, 803-914-2085/2087, sjohnson@hamptoncountysc.org.
Dorchester County: Johnny K. Brown, 843-832-0050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov.
Jasper County: Alton Jenkins, 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
Berkeley County: Jan Helton, Moncks Corner, S.C., 843-719-4023, jan.helton@berkeleycountysc.gov.
Other SC Lowcountry VSOs
Beaufort Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter VSO, Michael Vergantino, at 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com.
State of S.C. (American Legion Trained) VSO in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Elizabeth Singleton, at 843-789-7456.
VSO (American Legion Trained) Paula Maloney in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center at 803-647-2434 and va@admin.sc.gov.
Chatham County, Ga.: Reggie Louis, 912-920-0214, Ext. 2194, reggie.lewis2@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419.
Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga.: Charles Isaac, 912-408-2948, charles.isaac@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313.
Find a listing of all SC County Veterans Service Offices at https://scdva.sc.gov/county-veterans-affairs-offices.
You can read the previous three articles in this series and the more than 70 other articles on veterans’ benefits that have been published in The Island News at www.yourislandnews.com.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
