Veterans

When an active-duty military person dies they are eligible for government benefits and the amount depends on rank and time of service. For an E-3 with two years and a base salary of $2,836 per month the Disability and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit is $1,700 for the spouse and $420 for each child. In addition, social security would provide $1,200 per month for the spouse and another $1,200 per child. For example, a young soldier age 30 with two years of service and rank of E-3 dies leaving a wife and one child. His family is eligible for $2,120 from DIC benefits and $2,400 per month from social security for a total monthly income of $4,520. The SS benefit ends when the child is 18 but starts up again when the mother is age 60. His family receives a onetime tax-free payment of $100,000. The family will continue to receive the other benefits associated with active-duty service things like subsidized housing and GI bill and most importantly healthcare. The GI bill is available for spouse and children. Veterans on partial disability can collect their disability checks and SS but not the DIC benefit. The disability benefit can be partial or full salary depending on the severity. Most of the other benefits continue other than the $100,000 tax free cash.