Though the US military tries hard to ensure that every Veteran returns home safely, some Veterans fall in combat. For their families, the struggle to reclaim their lives, stabilize their finances, and decide what to do next can be difficult and feel impossible.
The military provides Gold Star Families with benefits and resources they can and should receive. In times of grief, knowing what resources you can access and how to utilize them best can be difficult. Read on for more information about the benefits that Gold Star Families may be eligible to receive.
A Gold Star Family includes any immediate family members of a fallen servicemember who died while serving in any time of conflict. Immediate family members include:
For example, if a Veteran is deployed in a combat zone and dies in battle, their immediate family members become part of a Gold Star Family. However, a Veteran must die in conflict or in a conflict zone for their family to qualify for Gold Star Family benefits.
For instance, if a Veteran is killed while on a US base on continental soil and not in combat, their family may not be eligible for benefits.
Being a Gold Star Family is an immense honor that no one wants. Gold Star Families can legally display a Gold Star Service Flag for their servicemembers who were killed or died in the line of duty. Furthermore, Gold Star Families can take advantage of numerous support resources and other benefits.
In the immediate aftermath of the death of a loved one, things are difficult for the survivors. Because of this, the US military and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide various family support resources.
Firstly, the Department of Defense (DOD) maintains a Casualty Assistance Program. This ensures that military families have support. Some of these benefits include:
Each family is assigned a casualty assistance officer to accomplish these support goals. They help the family indefinitely or until the family decides the assistance is no longer needed.
If your original case officer retires or can no longer offer their services, your family will receive a new case officer once you do not need their help. You can also dismiss the case officer or request a new one anytime.
Even after a Gold Star Family’s casualty assistance officer is released from their case, they still have long-term family support resources to keep in mind.
For example, families can and should take advantage of long-term case management programs. These provide access to counselors and case managers to help in the years following a servicemember’s death and burial.
Gold Star Families may use grief counseling, support groups, milestone management, and financial counseling programs. This can assist families that need to stabilize their finances, especially if the fallen servicemember was the primary earner for the family.
Each military branch, including the Coast Guard, has a distinct long-term case management program. Your casualty assistance officer should tell you more about contacting your long-term case management program based on the branch of your fallen servicemember.
Many Gold Star Family members may need to know the exact benefits they can access. Check out the online survivor benefits report if you’re in this group. This allows you to view both your current and estimated future benefits, allowing you to forecast your financial future and decide your next steps for the betterment of yourself and your entire family.
All Gold Star Families can access the following benefits:
These benefits often apply to everyone in the fallen servicemember’s immediate family circle. However, note that many benefits affecting the children or dependents of deceased servicemembers stop when the children reach a certain age.
Since you may have many questions about these benefits, contacting Veterans law attorneys at the earliest opportunity is a good idea. You may also ask questions of your casualty assistance officer, who can detail these programs and help you determine which programs you qualify for or should utilize.
Gold Star Family benefits are numerous. Knowing which programs you should access or join and how to claim these financial benefits can take time and effort. Veterans law attorneys can provide invaluable assistance during this process.
For example, when you contact Berry Law, our attorneys can break down the Gold Star Family benefits you can access immediately. We can also explain more about individual programs or benefits, so you know which ones to prioritize as you set your finances in order.
If you have many questions, consider consulting with your casualty assistance officer and Veterans law attorneys. Between both entities, you’ll have all your questions answered.
Gold Star Family benefits are available to the immediate family members of all fallen servicemembers who died while serving in conflict. These numerous benefits are intended to support those families as they recover financially and emotionally.
If you recently lost a Veteran, you may qualify for these benefits and much more. Veterans law attorneys like Berry Law can help you determine what you qualify for and help you apply for needed benefits, like funeral assistance, financial aid, and more.
Contact us today to see how we can assist you during this trying time.
Sources:
Gold Star Survivors | The United States Army
Casualty and Survivor Assistance | The Official Army Benefits Website
Resources for Gold Star & Surviving Family Members | Military OneSource
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