Dic Remarriage Regs/benefits

[Berta]

"A surviving spouse under age 55 who remarries loses CHAMPVA eligibility at midnight of the date on remarriage. He/she may re-establish eligibility if the remarriage ends by death, divorce or annulment effective the first day of the month following the termination of the remarriage or Dec. 1, 1999, whichever is later.

A surviving spouse who remarries after age 55 does not lose eligibility upon remarriage. "

http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap12.asp

Also:

Under PL 108-183, which was effective January 1, 2004, a surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for

· DIC
· VA home loans, and
· VA educational benefits.

Note: PL 108-183 is an exception to the requirement that a surviving spouse must remain unmarried in order to retain eligibility to VA benefits."

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VA awarded these potentials additional survivors benefit a few years ago, due in part ,I believe, that a veteran's surviving spouse would probably marry another veteran and could inherit so to speak ,VA benefits based on the new spouse's rating, so why not allow them to retain what they already have, if the age criteria is met.

I also think that if a surviving spouse marries a TRICARE vet, then .TRICARE would cover the widow/widower spouse instead of CHAMPVA.

Not sure. I LOVE CHAMPVA and I only wish all of our veterans had CHAMPVA instead of VAMC health care.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEMQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.benefits.va.gov%2FWARMS%2Fdocs%2Fadmin21%2Fm21_1%2Fmr%2Fpart9%2Fsubparti%2Fch04%2FM21-1MRIX_i_4.doc&ei=VTl2U_OQFdOWqAaCn4DwCg&usg=AFQjCNGQod4e52lZQ93zA-7L2u0k5nbIww&bvm=bv.66699033,d.b2k