Gold Star Families

During World War I, Americans hung blue stars in their windows for every family member serving in the military. If a loved one died in service, a gold star replaced the blue one. Since then, the Gold Star has symbolized the spouses and family members of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Every year on April 5, America salutes these spouses on Gold Star Spouses Day.


If you are a survivor of a fallen Veteran or service member, you are not forgotten. VA provides a variety of benefits that can help you navigate life after your loss.


Gold Star Families_Veterans Affairs

Our Gold Star Families are a vital part of our nation’s military community and we are dedicated to honoring their sacrifice. Here are a list of resources to support their journey.

The title of “Gold Star Family” is reserved for families of military members who have died in the line of duty. It is meant to honor the service member’s ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family’s loss, grief and continued healing.


RESOURCES FOR GOLD STAR FAMILIES

The Gold Star Parent Annuity Benefit authorizes an annuity payment to each Gold Star parent of a deceased Servicemember. There will be an annual increase at a rate equal to the percentage increase of benefits set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Applicants approved for the Gold Star Annuity Payment are required to verify eligibility on a yearly basis. 


The Gold Star Parent Annuity Benefit

The death of your loved one does not end your rights to certain service benefits and privileges. Dependants may use the installation theater and some other Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Dependants are eligible to continue shopping at the exchange and commissary as long as they maintain an active DoD ID card. Unmarried children of the deceased service member may use these privileges until they are 21, or 23 if enrolled in a full-time course of study in a secondary school or in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher education.


The Navy Gold Star Program Info & Resource Site

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.


Gold Star Family Benefits: The Veterans Guide

Benefits such as support services, programs and allowances are provided to the military community in addition to base salaries and wages. Browse Support After Loss-related benefits below and click for more details and to access information.

Support After Loss Benefits

Soon after arriving, Tim decided he would rather be homeless in NYC than commit suicide in Phoenix and spent five months in a shelter before obtaining his HUD/VASH voucher for supportive housing while detailing his journey from homeless to homeness with a series of articles called, 'Be the Story'. He has testified before the NYS Department of Veterans Affairs, is a member of the NYC Veterans Task Force and Military Veterans in Journalism, while founding The Forgotten Veteran non-profit. Email: Timothy Pena
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