Family and survivor benefits
Choose the family or survivor benefit by its own purpose and requirements.
DIC and Survivors Pension
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Survivors Pension are distinct programs. A shared application can ask about more than one benefit without making the benefits identical.
Separate determinations for family members
A Veteran’s benefit and a family member’s benefit are separate determinations. Each program’s instructions govern its application.
Primary-caregiver CHAMPVA coverage
A qualifying primary caregiver without other health insurance uses the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) determination path. VA enrolls the caregiver automatically if it determines CHAMPVA qualification; this differs from the ordinary family CHAMPVA application.
Example
Fictional example: A family is exploring a student’s education benefits and another family member’s CHAMPVA health coverage. The student’s education application and response stay in one folder; the health-coverage application and response stay in another. Approval of an education benefit would not enroll the other person in CHAMPVA.