There are a lot of questions and confusion around veteran benefits, and who they extend to. For example, relatives of veterans who are hoping to cash in on veteran benefits in some way, whether it be through health care, shopping discounts or the VA home loan program.
Unfortunately, very rarely do the benefits of past service extend past the spouse or minor children of the veteran. In some circumstances, dependent disabled adult children can access their parent veteran's benefits.
So who is eligible for a VA loan? The VA home loan program has even more stringent rules than many of the other benefits.
For example, disabled adult dependents cannot use it. Veterans can personally use the VA home loan if they meet the time-in-service eligibility requirements. Spouses of deceased veterans who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability, or spouses of veterans who are missing in action or prisoners of war, are also eligible. These spouses forfeit this benefit if they choose to remarry. Unless they remarry after the age of 57.
However, disabled adult dependents of veterans are not eligible to use a VA loan. Therefore children, cousins, parents or siblings can not use the VA loan either.
Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life
For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox.
