Any help would be appreciated ~~ for the family of a newly deceased VN vet

[Hepburn]

My friend's husband died early last Monday morning of a massive heart attack. This was totally unexpected. He was a VN combat vet. They were not financially secure in any manner at all ~~ nor is the family. She did have his military papers and her family managed to get his right to a plot in the VA cemetery and his headstone. However, what I am asking about is if anyone knows of any other benefits to which she may be entitled.

She is a proud person and we are gathering the funds to get the rest of his arrangements covered and its really hard for her to accept financial aid like this. So things are presently OK...well, as OK as they can be under the cirucmstances...and his burial is covered.

If any group of people knows how to help out and what may be available to help someone in her situation, my wonderful family of DU friends would have info on this. Any ideas or info that you can send my way would be greatly appreciated as to what else she maybe entitled to.

BTW: My friend is almost 55 and had a 30+ year marriage and we live in So. Calif.

Thanks in advanced for any help. This is just so sad.

Edit for typo.

[SheilaT]

1. The only thing I can think of

that might matter is how long was he in the service? Did he have retirement benefits? Meaning, will she have survivor benefits?

I should be slightly more sympathetic, but someone being "too proud to accept help" tends to make me impatient. Listen, lady, I would say to her, you have a genuine need. Others want to help you. You'd be helping others out yourself if you could. Let others do for you what you would do for them.

It's the obverse of the Golden Rule, probably.

Contact the VA. Or see if there's a local organization that helps vets. I hope someone who actually knows something about these things responds for you.

[unhappycamper]

2. Here's a few links you can get started with:

National Veterans Foundation

Veterans Resources

I'm taking off now, but will stop back tomorrow & see how you are doing.

[pwb]

3. check with your county vet rep.

[Hepburn]

4. Thank you for the help and the info....

...I am getting this together and when things settle down a bit, I will start seeing what I can do about getting her any benefits that she is entitled to.

This is just so awful and so sad.