Do Widows and Children Share Military Death Benefits?

Death Gratuity

• The death gratuity is a one-time, tax-free benefit paid to the widow and surviving dependent children of a deceased service member killed in the line of active duty, a reserve service member killed in training exercises or an active duty service member killed in transit to or from an active duty assignment. According to Military.com, the death gratuity is $100,000. The U.S. Armed Forces extends this one-time payment to help the surviving family settle the financial affairs that come with the loss of a spouse and parent.
  
  

Death Pension

• The United States Armed Forces pays a death pension to a surviving spouse and dependent children of a service member killed with at least 90 days on active duty and at least one day in a combat area or at least 24 months on active duty. The family of a retired service member receiving an honorable discharge also qualifies for this benefit. The death pension pays the surviving spouse and dependent children a fixed monthly payment based on the surviving spouse's income and family size.
  
  

Survivor Medical Benefits

• A surviving spouse and unmarried, dependent children may remain on a deceased service member's Tricare military health insurance, provided the service member was on active duty for more than 30 days at the time of death. The surviving spouse shares the cost of health care at the active duty military rate for three years, then the cost shifts to the military retiree rate, according to Military.com. A widow remains eligible for this health care until remarrying. Dependent children usually remain eligible until age 21.
  
  

Allowance For Housing

• A military family living on a United States military base at the time of an active duty spouse's death may remain in on-base housing for up to 365 days. The family may alternatively choose to relocate to a private residence and receive a basic military housing allowance for the same fixed period of time. For the surviving family to receive a basic housing allowance for a private residence, the military service member must have been eligible to receive this benefit at the time of death.