Eligibility For Spouse

You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

One of these must be true:

• You lived with the Veteran or service member without a break until their death, or
• If you’re separated, you weren’t at fault for the separation

And one of these must be true:

• You married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or
• You were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or
• You had a child with the Veteran or service member

Note: If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if one of these describes you:

• You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and you were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, or
• You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried

Eligibility For Child

You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

All of these must be true:

• You aren’t married, and
• You aren’t included on the surviving spouse’s compensation, and
• You’re under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if attending school)

Note: If you were adopted out of the Veteran’s or service member’s family, but meet all other eligibility criteria, you still qualify for compensation.