Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service

Benefits for Children of Military Veterans: What You Need to Know

Posted by Roy L. Kaufmann

Did you know that the Department of Veterans Affairs will have a budget of $369.3 billion in 2025? Considering the department’s sizable budget, select benefits trickle down to veterans’ children.

However, it should be highlighted that only veterans who receive an honorable discharge status are granted veteran benefits. If you received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, you forfeit most of the benefits given to veterans.

But let’s say that veteran has a favorable discharge status. What benefits can their children receive? We’ll discuss the possible benefits veterans’ children can enjoy to maximize their rights.

Education Benefits for Veterans’ Children

One of the primary reasons why people choose to become service members is the benefits of education. Select programs permit veterans’ children to enjoy this benefit.

GI Bill Transferability

Unused education benefits from the GI Bill may be transferred to immediate family members, including children. The service member must have rendered at least six years of service (reserve or active) and commit to four more years.

Only unused education benefits of veterans or service members can be transferred to their children. Interested parties must read the instructions thoroughly to take advantage of this benefit.

Subsidy through Education Assistance Programs

Various education assistance programs are available to the children of veterans, regardless of which service branch their parents served under.

  • Scholarships and Financial Assistance: There are plenty of federal loans, grants, and scholarships to choose from. Some universities offer financial assistance to military personnel and their family members.
  • Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges: This program provides opportunities for service members and their children to finish their academic degrees through compatible programs at military installations and bases worldwide.

In addition to federal programs, some states offer tuition waivers, scholarships, and grants specifically for veterans’ children.

Exploring these state-specific benefits can provide additional financial relief. Understanding the application deadlines and criteria for these programs is essential to maximize educational opportunities.

Healthcare Privileges

Health insurance can be expensive, and one of the primary privileges of military service is health care benefits. The military’s government health insurance provider, Tricare, offers various plans that veterans and service members can apply for, which extends to their children.

As long as they remain unmarried, biological, adopted, and stepchildren of veterans are eligible for coverage until they turn 21 or 23 if enrolled in college. At 21 or 23, these children can purchase Tricare Young Adult. They’re eligible for the program until they turn 26.

While Tricare covers many healthcare needs, it’s important to note that dental and vision care may require separate plans or additional coverage.

For children of veterans who do not qualify for Tricare, other government or private healthcare programs might be available, providing alternative options for maintaining health coverage.

Child Military Care

Active duty personnel and qualified veterans can enroll their children at over 800 Child Development Centers worldwide. These centers offer child care for children aged six weeks to 12 years old; fees depend on the applicant’s pay and services. Subsidies are also available for off-base facility child care.

Families with special needs children should explore the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and other tailored services offered by the military to address their unique requirements. These programs provide specialized care, support, and resources to ensure that all children receive appropriate attention and assistance.

Career Counseling Benefit

A veteran or service member and their dependents may apply for career counseling benefits through the VA’s Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program.

The program provides resume assistance and guidance on employment opportunities. This program can guide beneficiaries if they’re uncertain about their professional path after finishing their education.

In addition to the VA’s Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program, veterans’ children can take advantage of federal internships, vocational training, and hiring preferences that specifically target military families. These programs can enhance job prospects and provide valuable career-building experiences.

Survivor Benefits

The children of deceased veterans and those with a service-connected disability are granted survivor benefits.

These benefits enable them to continue their education or adjust to losing financial support from that veteran, especially if that person was the family breadwinner. Among the benefits survivors and dependents can apply for include the following:

Death Gratuity 

In case a service member dies of injuries acquired through military service, their dependents, including children, may receive a one-time fee of up to $100,000.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

This untaxed monthly payment is given to the survivors and dependents of deceased veterans who died while on duty or those who’ve become permanently disabled because of service-related injuries.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

This program provides up to 81 months of education benefits to the surviving children of deceased veterans who died from active duty or those who’ve become permanently disabled because of service-related injuries.

Beyond the Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, some states and private organizations offer additional educational grants and scholarships for the surviving children of deceased or disabled veterans. These benefits can further support educational goals and ease financial burdens for affected families.

Additional Benefits to Consider

Housing Assistance

While VA loans are typically designed for veterans, certain benefits may extend to surviving spouses or children, particularly if the veteran passed away due to a service-connected disability. Understanding these options can help families secure stable housing.

Recreational and Community Support Programs

Military installations often provide youth programs, summer camps, and extracurricular activities specifically for veterans’ children.

Additionally, support groups and counseling services are available to help children cope with the unique challenges of being part of a military family, such as dealing with loss or adjusting to civilian life.

Veterans’ children may qualify for free or low-cost legal services, particularly in matters like estate planning, custody, and other veteran-related legal issues. These services ensure that the legal rights and interests of military families are protected.

Financial Aid Beyond Education

Various organizations offer emergency financial assistance to military families facing hardships, such as unexpected medical bills or housing issues. These resources can provide crucial support during difficult times.

Getting Assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs

No single application form allows eligible persons to maximize programs offered to veteran’s children. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs can help them identify which programs they qualify for and how to make the most of them.

These benefits can change their personal, professional, and financial situations, so they should contact the VA for further assistance.

Do Military Veterans’ Children Get SCRA Protections?

While the children of active-duty service members enjoy SCRA privileges, do these benefits extend to children of veterans? Primarily, no, because SCRA rights are provided to those who render active-duty service. However, the VA offers many benefits that can make their lives easier.

Final Words

The health care, training, and educational benefits that veterans’ children enjoy can improve their quality of life and open many opportunities. Providing evidence of the military personnel’s status is vital to maximizing these benefits, and this is where SCRACVS can help. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.

FAQs

What are the benefits of being a military child?

A military child can enjoy education, health care, child care, and other benefits, which they can maximize as long as their parent is honorably discharged from service. Survivors and dependents of deceased veterans are granted special privileges.

Do you get more money if you have a kid in the military?

You won’t get an increase in pay because you have children, but you might qualify for additional benefits to help you manage caring for your family members.

Why are military kids special?

Military children often travel when their parents are deployed to different bases, and the frequent life changes toughen them up to embrace change.

Attorney Roy Kaufmann serves as the Director of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service, located in Washington, D.C. As a recognized authority on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Mr. Kaufmann has published hundreds of articles and hosted many webinars. His teachings help law firms and businesses to remain compliant with the SCRA rules and regulations so as to avoid costly fines.