Long Term Assistance Program Newsletter – January 2025

Staying Resilient in the Winter While Grieving

The winter months can be challenging for those who are grieving. The long, cold days and dark evenings often magnify feelings of isolation, sadness, and loss. While grief is a deeply personal journey, there are ways to remain resilient during this time. Below are a few strategies to help navigate the winter season with strength and self-compassion.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Grief doesn’t follow a timetable, and winter’s quiet, reflective atmosphere can make emotions feel more intense. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling without judgment. Understand that feelings of sadness, anger, or numbness are natural responses to loss. Feeling these emotions can help you process them in healthy ways.

Establish a Routine

The winter months often disrupt our daily routines. Creating a new routine can provide structure and a sense of normalcy. This can be eating structured meals, starting the day with a walk, or keeping up with social connections. Small acts of uniformity can combat feelings of helplessness and loneliness.

Stay Connected

While grief can make you want to withdraw from others, social supports can become vital in tough times. Reaching out to friends and family for quick phone calls can provide a connectedness you didn’t know you needed. Attending a new support group may ease the feelings of isolation. Simply spending time around others can help feelings of seclusion.

Practice Self-care

Winter’s colder temperatures and shorter days often take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. To build resilience, prioritize self-care practices that nurture both body and mind. This could include getting enough sleep but not too much, staying hydrated, and engaging in daily movement. Small moments of relaxation such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath can help you recharge.

Honor Your Loved One’s Memory

Throughout the winter it might feel impossible to avoid reminders of your loss. Find ways to honor the memory of your loved one. This may include lighting a candle, creating a memory box, sharing the loved one’s story, or participating in a tradition you both loved. Celebrating the loved one’s life, rather than focusing solely on the absence, can help restore a sense of steadiness.

Seek Professional Support

Grief can be overwhelming, and it might feel too heavy to bear. Seeking support from a therapist or grief counselor can be vital. Professionals can offer strategies for coping that are targeted to your specific needs.

In conclusion, while the winter season may bring challenges, it also provides an opportunity to cultivate strength, reflect on the memories of your loved one, and move through grief at your own pace.

Tax Resources for Surviving Families

Surviving military families carry a profound burden. Along with the emotional and psychological challenges, they may face financial complexities in the aftermath of their loss. There are various tax resources and benefits available to help ease the financial burdens and provide support during a difficult time.

Below, we will explore the key tax resources available to surviving families, including special exemptions, as well as where to find further assistance.

One tax relief measure for surviving family members is the exclusion of certain survivor benefits from federal income tax. For example, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid by the VA to eligible surviving spouses, children, and sometimes dependent parents of service members who died in the line of duty. DIC payments are not subject to federal income tax. Another benefit that is not taxable under federal income tax law is Death Gratuity, which is a one-time payment.

Many states offer additional tax benefits for surviving military families. Several states provide property tax exemptions or deductions for survivors of service members who died while on active duty. Secondly, many states offer special Gold Star license plates or waivers on vehicle registration fees for surviving family members. Families are encouraged to check with their state’s Department of Revenue or the state’s Veterans Affairs office for specific state level benefits and exemptions.

There are resources that can offer tax filing assistance to families as well. Families eligible for Military OneSource can visit their website to use their services and chat with a MilTax consultant. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Consulting for the Elderly (TCE) program, which offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. For more information, or to determine if you qualify, you can visit the IRS’ website.

Remarriage Laws for DIC and SBP Recipients

The laws regarding remarriage for beneficiaries of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) programs have gone through some changes over the past few years and continue to be reviewed by their governing entities. Below, we will explore the key rules surrounding remarriage for recipients of these benefits and the conditions under which these benefits may change or terminate upon remarriage.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of service members who died in the line of duty or due to service-connected disabilities.

If a surviving spouse remarries before the age of 55 years old, he or she generally loses eligibility for the benefit. The VA certifies a surviving spouse’s eligibility every seven years. If you are under 55 years old, have remarried, and are still receiving DIC for yourself, please call the VA at (800) 827-1000.

However, if a surviving spouse remarries after the age of 55, he or she may be able to continue to receive DIC benefits. If a surviving spouse remarries and later divorces or the new spouse passes away, the spouse may become eligible to resume their DIC benefits, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

The Survivor Benefit Plan is a military benefit that allows active-duty service members or retirees to provide ongoing income to their surviving spouse or other dependents after their death. It is a form of life insurance available to military families.

If the surviving spouse remarries before the age of 55 the SBP benefit will terminate. DFAS certifies the surviving spouses’ marital status annually, during the month of the annuitant’s birthday. DFAS previously used the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) form, however this has changed to the Survivor Benefit Plan-Marital Status Update (SBP-MSU) form.

However, if the surviving spouse remarries after reaching the age of 55, they do not lose their SBP benefits. Therefore, if you have remarried, are under the age of 55 years old and are still receiving SBP benefits in your name, please contact LTAP or the DFAS Customer Service Representative at 1-800-321-1080. If a surviving spouse remarries, and later divorces or the new spouse passes away, they may become have their SBP reinstated, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

Understanding the rules for remarriage and how they affect eligibility for these benefits is crucial for anyone who is a recipient or considering remarriage to prevent an overpayment. It is always advisable to seek guidance from a qualified VA or DFAS rep to fully understand the implications of remarriage on specific benefits. Please do not hesitate to reach out to LTAP with any additional questions.

How Art Can Help with Grief

Grief is a deeply personal experience, one that often feels too heavy to express in words. For many, arts can serve as a powerful outlet for processing emotions and finding healing. Whether through painting, music, writing, or any form of creative expression, art offers a way to connect with and make sense of the complex feelings that accompany loss.

Creating art allows individuals to externalize inner thoughts by providing a tangible form to abstract emotions like sadness, anger, or confusion. This process can help release pent up feelings that might otherwise remain locked inside. For those who may not feel ready to speak about their grief, art offers a form of expression without the need for words. For example, a person might channel their anger into a canvas of dark colors. Similarly, writing or journaling can offer a personal record of feelings over time.

Ultimately, art doesn’t fix grief, but it can provide a way to move through it. It invites healing through expression, and connection, offering a path toward peace in the face of loss.

HONORING OUR HEROES

Lance Corporal Marcus Williams

United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Marcus Williams was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2021 and served at duty stations in North Carolina, Arizona, and California. He was a very hard worker for which he was awarded the Work Horse of the Wing Award. Marcus passed away on April 6, 2023. His funeral was attended by many of those that he had served with in the Marine Corps.

Marcus loved to help people, and that’s why he chose to serve in the Marine Corps. Anyone that met him would instantly become his friend. His friends at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina have shared with his family that the base hasn’t been the same without his smile, jokes, and laughter to get them through their day. Marcus is greatly missed and will always be loved in everyone’s hearts.

By Shanna Richardson – Surviving Mother

Corporal Jacob Michael Moore

My Heavenly Son, Corporal Jacob Michael Moore, Sunrise 12/29/97, Sunset 3/18/22. Jacob passed in an aviation mishap in Norway while deployed for NATO training. As my hero, he will always be remembered as a handsome, brave, and humble man who loved the LORD. In this I live with joy, knowing one day I'll see him again. Dreaming of eternity with the LORD and the glorious plans he has for us.

By Rhea Moore – Surviving Mother