This pension, sometimes also called a Death Pension is essentially a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income, un-remarried surviving spouses of a wartime veteran who has passed. Unmarried children of these families may also be eligible in receiving these benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requires the following criteria to be met for a deceased veteran’s family to receive this pension:
• For service on or before September 7, 1980, the Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a war time period.
• If he or she entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he or she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered active duty with at least one day during a war time period.
• Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.
Check out the full VA Survivors Pension page for all more details.