I have 30% disability from the Army. What benefits does this give to my children? Anybody have any experience?
I was injured in Iraq, and I now qualify for 30% military disability. I was wondering if any of you have experience with the VA benefits for dependents. I was wondering if there is any way this would help my kids, like maybe with college tuition assistance.
I am going to schedule an appointment with the VA office, but I have found it helps a lot to know what you want before you show up. It is such a complicated system that it is hard to pin down what the actual benefits are, and who qualifies.
Mrsjvb2008-09-28T12:11:50Z
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none. your dependents would only get help if you were 100% permanently disabled or killed.
Possible benefits are so numerous that nobody can identify every single possibility. But, here's some advice.
1. Most every county in the country has a veteran's service office, usually run by a county or state agency. Make an appointment with a counselor. If you haven't already applied for VA disability benefits (most soldiers do this as part of outprocessing) and intend to, then take your military file and medical records to the counselor. He can assist with identifying injuries that can be compensable. He can also provide you with benefits your particular state offers. These guys are dedicated volunteers, and have a wealth of information, much more than the DAC's that processed your discharge. 2. You are eligible for free Tricare. I believe your dependents are entitled to Tricare as well, but probably require an additional premium. Your retiree ID card serves as your medical insurance card. If you don't already have your ID, then make an appointment to get one at your nearest military facility. (Can be any branch... AF, Navy, Coast Guard. You just need your retirement orders and DD-214.) 3. You may be eligible for social security disability, if your disability is serious enough to prevent you from working. 4. Where I live, I get free admission and parking to state parks and beaches, and discounted fishing and hunting permits. 5. As a retiree, you also get to use the commissary, MWR, aafes, etc.
There's more that I cannot think of off the top of my head. Just ask around.
None. If you were receiving 30% or more from the Army, you would be on the Disability Retired List and your spouse and minor children would have ID cards for base entry and use of base facilities, in addition to medical care at military facilities and through TriCare. But, if you will be gettting compensation from the VA. It's apples and oranges. However, if you are being processed for transfer to the disability retired list (with compensation coming from the Army) that's different.
I got 40% which basically provides for $$ compensation and hiring preference for federal jobs that your a fully qualified. However doesn't provide anything for children or spouse. You are able in some instances to recieve additional veterans training (ie College reimbursement). With the possibility that your GI Bill benifits might be transferable to the wife or kids, makes seeking VA tuition something to consider [I think]. I already had a college degree, so I got nothing. ALSO-each state also provides their vets various 'awards' I think Illinois gives the vet (not the familiy) full tuition. All I could get in Nebraska was reduced priced deer tags (seriously...). Not complaining though because I'm happy to have low or no VA disability so that guys who really need it (serious wounds/damage >85%) can get a better chance.
For your kids college-please consider a military ROTC scholarship, or enlistment with a premium College tuition package ($40,000 for college for three years service). If military service was a good option for you (other than the injury-sorry), you can help advice a suitable MOS for your son/daughter. Since I do not have enough money for my childrens public college, but yet make too much for gov't grants, military is our best option.