June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, but also reflect on the work that still needs to be done to create a more inclusive and accepting society. At VA, we ensure that all Veterans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have access to the benefits and support they have earned. VA’s recent expansion in survivor benefits to same-sex spouses/partners of Veterans reflects this commitment.
Expansion in Survivor benefits
Same-sex spouses and partners of deceased Veterans can now access the same survivor benefits as heterosexual couples. Previously—due to Federal law—VA only recognized heterosexual marriages for survivor benefits. This left many same-sex couples with limited options for accessing benefits, even if they had been in committed relationships for many years.
Now, same-sex spouses and partners can access a wide range of survivor benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and accrued benefits. DIC is a tax-free monthly payment that is provided to surviving spouses, children and dependent parents of deceased Veterans. Accrued benefits are any payments that the Veteran was entitled to before they passed away but did not receive.
To be eligible for survivor benefits, spouses and partners must provide evidence that they were in a committed relationship with the Veteran at the time of their death. This evidence may include documentation such as a marriage certificate, a joint lease or mortgage, or proof of joint finances.
Other VA benefits for LGBTQ+ Veterans
In addition to survivor benefits, VA has a variety of other benefits and resources for LGBTQ+ Veterans. The Department of Defense (DoD) continually examines military benefits related to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” As a result, VA and DoD identified several benefits that the designated beneficiaries of LGBTQ+ service members and Veterans may be eligible to receive, including:
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
- Post Vietnam-era Veterans Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Montgomery G.I. Bill
- Presentation of the Flag of the United States
You may be able to get benefits without a discharge upgrade through the Character of Discharge review process. VA will review your record to determine if your service was “honorable for VA purposes.” You will need to provide documents supporting your case, like the evidence you’d send with an application to upgrade your discharge.
Additionally, LGBTQ+ Veterans can apply for a discharge upgrade if they were forced out of the military with “bad papers” due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
There is a tool that allows you to answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction: How To Apply For A Discharge Upgrade | Veterans Affairs (va.gov).
Learn more
You can learn more about VA survivor benefits and how to apply at https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/.
Learn more about VA benefits for LGBTQ+ service members and Veterans by visiting https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/lgbt.asp.
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Look at that picture, do you see anything disturbing? It effects my well being in our society today. There’s only one flag we should be proud of, the one that we fought for and many of our brothers and sisters died for.
Do you know how many married “straight” men were and still are engaging in homosexual activity while serving. More than you think. I can’t wait till that old closed minded generation dies off. I hope they put a gay flag on your casket.
I ducked witch hunts the whole time I served. It made life pretty stressful. No one knew I was gay & I still value my privacy. While I applaud the VA for their progressiveness, I agree that no veteran group deserves special status. It’s divisive. Though I’d like to see more education for males regarding the treatment of women in the military. When a statement like this raises their (boys) hackles, it’s obvious you’re dealing with an insecure, Incel- driven childish lot.
Keeping these homophobic comments up gives them credibility. Do better VA. If you support Diversity and Inclusion, take a real stand on it and shut their hateful rhetoric down. Otherwise you are complicit in their harassment and hate.
[Editor: You can read what’s allowed here on our social media policy: https://news.va.gov/social-media-policy/ ]
I’m impressed with the VA regarding this. I was even a bit surprised to see it. I thought of the military is a bit of a sexist organization. I’m not an expert or well educated about that by any means, just a feeling I have about it. Assumed VA was the same. My view is changed now on that from this article. Glad to hear it. Thank you for the update and educating me and correcting my incorrect views and assumptions.
Better late than never. As someone who served before and during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the institutionalized harm caused by harassment and abuse has caused lasting damage to mental health and quality of life. The DOD has a long way to go to make up for the harm they caused to LGBTQI2SA+ troops who were only trying to serve their country.
Hi, I’m wondering about the Pride flag in the picture with this article. I’ve always heard that No Flag should EVER be placed “higher” than the American flag. Is that true? Even if it’s not correct, it seems inappropriate to me. Please check on this, I’d like to know.
Prayerfully the VA is also recognizing those that are Asian, African-American, Confederates Christian’s and so on. We are all people, humans, veterans or veterans family and I can assure you that the Pride Community are not the entire Veteran population. But the rest of the country is left out apparently.
Sorry. I do not support that “movement”.
There’s something terribly wrong with the photo leading this article. If you don’t see it, it flies in the face of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation!
The military is no place to promote such things.
When is heterosexual month? Why is the military getting political, who cares who people sleep with. The militaries job is to be the force of our country and thats all.
This is disgraceful.
There’s only one flag that matters, and it’s the Stars and Stripes. We’re all Americans, most of us, so it should be the only flag that matters, because it represents all Americans. Be who you want, believe who you want, love you want. The American flag stands for that. You don’t need special flags.
Why is the VA gives special treatment to LGBTQ A Veteran is a Veteran we should all get treatment the same I beleive that the money that is allocated for that should go for better medical equipment and for burn pit gulf war victims and Vietnam vet
Why should LGBTQ+ veterans be treated differently than any other veteran? Why should they have benefits that others do not have? I do not understand this and it is offensive to me.
We pledge allegiance to one flag, the flag of the United States of America. Why is that LGBTQ flag flying on a pole that’s intended for the American flag? Why is it given equal status with the flag of the United States of America? I have no problem with the LGBT community but I’m sorry that it’s total crap. That flag does not have equal standing with the flags of our military branches or the United States of America. Never has never will! You cannot get more divisive than this! Is the VA there to serve veterans? Or to serve political agendas?