When military servicemembers fall in combat, their family is often entitled to certain benefits to help them cope with their grief, stabilize financially, and adjust to their new way of life. Gold Star Families are often entitled to benefits and resources through the military, but identifying what resources are available and accessing them can be challenging in the aftermath of losing a loved one.

A VA lawyer can be a helpful resource and guiding advocate when confusion and grief make it difficult to navigate available benefits. Military families in Tennessee can contact the Law Office of Daniel Martin to discuss how an attorney can help them recover the benefits they are entitled to.

What Is a Gold Star Family?

A Gold Star Family is a term used to honor the immediate family members of fallen military servicemembers who died in combat. Traditionally, families would display a service flag with blue stars to signify their loved ones were serving in the military. A gold star would be placed over the blue star if a servicemember passed away. Parents, spouses, children, and siblings can be considered part of a Gold Star Family. In addition to having access to multiple resources and benefits, these Families are also honored on special occasions like Gold Star Mother’s Day.

Because Gold Star Families support their servicemember loved one on their mission to serve, the military designates special programs for surviving family members. These programs are designed to help them cope with their loss, make informed decisions, and begin to picture a life after tragedy.

How Does the Military Support Gold Star Families?

Gold Star Families can receive numerous resources that are intended to support family members coping with the grief of losing a loved one in combat. Military OneSource provides a list of programs and benefits available to surviving family members, including:

Casualty Assistance

Maintained by the Department of Defense, casualty assistance ensures that military family members have resources like transportation and burial expense coverage, relocation assistance, and emotional support. Families are assigned a casualty assistance officer to help them through the immediate aftermath of their loved one’s passing or as long as their services are needed.

Long-term Family Support

Gold Star Families have access to long-term case management programs that provide counselors and case managers who can help the family for years after the servicemember’s death. Services include grief counseling, support groups, and financial counseling. These benefits can be especially helpful if the fallen servicemember is the primary source of income for the family.

What Gold Star Family Benefits Are Available?

Other benefits available to Gold Star Families include:

  • Funeral and burial benefits
  • Additional vesting in retirement plans
  • Tax benefits through the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act
  • Lump-sum payment of the servicemember’s death gratuity
  • Survivor Benefit Plan payments
  • Dependency and indemnity compensation
  • Education benefits
  • Benefits and payments from the Social Security Administration
  • Continuation of TRICARE health insurance benefits for three years
  • Access to continued shopping at the exchange and commissary

Monthly benefit amounts vary from family to family and depend on what specific benefits they are receiving. If you have questions about what benefits you or your family may be entitled to after the death of your servicemember loved one, a VA attorney can help. Navigating application processes, determining eligibility criteria, and accessing benefits can be challenging. Having guidance from someone who is familiar with the VA’s procedures and requirements can provide peace of mind and help the process run smoothly and efficiently.

Contact a Tennessee VA Attorney for Guidance

The numerous benefits available to Gold Star Families are meant to support them and ease them carefully into the next chapter of their lives after the devastating death of their loved one. VA-accredited lawyer Daniel Martin has extensive experience supporting and advocating for military families. He understands the complexities of the emotions that many Gold Star Families feel, and he is dedicated to helping them receive the benefits they’re entitled to.

Contact the Law Office of Daniel Martin to schedule a free consultation and find out what benefits you or your family may qualify for.