One of the most important things we can do for our families is prepare before a crisis happens. The Survivor File – Veteran Family Guide highlights several benefits and documents that families should understand and organize while the Veteran is still living. 💰 BENEFITS FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT Burial Benefits - Service-connected death: up to $2,000 - Non-service-connected death: up to $1,002 in qualifying situations - Plot/interment allowance: up to $1,002 - Transportation may be reimbursed in qualifying cases - Burial in a VA national cemetery, headstone/marker, and burial flag can be provided at no cost when eligible. Monthly DIC A surviving spouse's 2026 base DIC rate is listed as $1,699.36/month, with potential additional amounts depending on the family's circumstances. DIC is tax-free. 🎓 OTHER PROGRAMS FAMILIES MAY MISS The guide also highlights: ✅ CHAMPVA ✅ Chapter 35 / DEA education benefits ✅ Fry Scholarship ✅ VA home-loan eligibility for qualifying surviving spouses ✅ Survivor Benefit Plan through DFAS Importantly, these programs have different eligibility requirements, and some require a separate application. ⏰ DEADLINES MATTER Some benefits have specific filing windows. For example, the guide notes that qualifying non-service-connected burial benefits generally must be filed within 2 years after burial or cremation. DIC has no filing deadline, but filing within 1 year of death can affect how far back payments may be awarded. 📁 THE 20-MINUTE FAMILY FILE Take 20 minutes while everything is okay. Gather: 📌 DD214/separation documents 📌 Current VA rating decision 📌 Marriage certificate 📌 Children's birth certificates 📌 Life insurance information 📌 Bank, pension, and SBP information 📌 Burial preferences 📌 Preferred cemetery 📌 VA file/identification information 📌 Contact information for an accredited VSO And most importantly: make sure two people know where this information is kept. WHY THIS MATTERS As Veterans, we spend a lot of time making sure our claims are documented. We should give our families the same preparation.

Your VA disability rating may unlock more than just monthly compensation. Depending on your rating, you may qualify for additional state and local benefits in Alabama—including property-tax relief, vehicle benefits, hunting and fishing privileges, education assistance, employment services, and more. 📌 30%: Dependent benefits, state hiring preference, license/credential fee relief, and more 📌 50%: Additional vehicle, hunting/fishing, parks, and tax benefits 📌 70%: TDIU screening, property-tax programs, caregiver/home-support programs, and education benefits 📌 90%: Additional tax considerations and combined-rating/TDIU review 📌 100%: Maximum-level state programs, property-tax relief, vehicle and recreation benefits 📌 100% P&T: Enhanced dependent education, property-tax relief, CHAMPVA/Chapter 35, and survivor protections 💡 Important: Benefits and eligibility can vary based on your specific VA rating and circumstances. If you're a veteran in Alabama, take the time to review what you're entitled to—you may be leaving valuable benefits on the table. Save this post and share it with an Alabama veteran who needs to see it! #AlabamaVeterans #VeteransBenefits #VADisability #VAClaims #VeteranResources #100PercentPT #VeteransSupport