Surviving Spouse Resources and Links

This page is designed to provide resources to surviving spouses and answer some of the more frequent asked questions of MOAA regarding survivor issues. Access more MOAA resources by visiting MOAA.org or MOAA's Surviving Spouse page; learn more about joining MOAA here. 

(Jump directly to Suggested Reading or information about Survivor Organizations.)

Q. What is the latest on efforts to repeal the Survivor Benefit Plan-Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (SBP-DIC) offset, also known as the "widows tax"?

A. Efforts by MOAA and others to repeal this unfair law resulted in a phased removal of the repeal becoming law as part of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Click here for the latest information.

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Q. How do I reach out to MOAA's Surviving Spouse Advisory Council?

A. Email the council at sscomm@moaa.org. Meet the members here.

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Q. How do I reach out to, or join, MOAA's Surviving Spouses Virtual Chapter? 

A. Email the virtual chapter at mssvc02@gmail.com. You can also join the chapter's Facebook group to find details on membership, upcoming meetings, and other resoures. Apply using this form.

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Q. What publications does MOAA provide to surviving spouses?

A. Click here for a list of survivor publications. You may also be interested in some spouse and family publications, or financial publications. Resources beyond publications, including advocacy news and monthly updates to MOAA's Surviving Spouse Corner, are available here.

MOAA's Minnesota Chapter has compiled The Day After Calls, an online publication to help families with steps to take when a military member passes.

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Q. In addition to surviving spouse materials, what other information can you provide about joining MOAA, or about other resources?

A. The lists below are grouped by topic. Not finding what you're looking for? You can reach out to MOAA's Member Service Center at 1-800-234-6622 or at msc@moaa.org.

MOAA LINKS

 

HEALTH CARE LINKS

 

SURVIVOR BENEFITS LINKS


VA BENEFITS LINKS

 

FINANCIAL LINKS

GENERAL FINANCIAL LINKS/GUIDANCE

 

SOCIAL SECURITY

Information regarding social security, including how to report a death, as well as benefits for survivors can be found here.

SCAMS

It is important to be aware of different types of scams, to have preventive measures in place to avoid them, and to know what steps to take if you have been scammed More resources:

 

SURVIVORS' ORGANIZATIONS

Organizations that support Surviving Spouses, Surviving Children, the Wounded/Disabled, and Caregivers

PARENTS

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Give an Hour
Gold Star Dads
Gold Star Fathers
Grandparents Visitation Rights Guide
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

CAREGIVERS

Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Gary Sinise Foundation
Give an Hour
Operation Family Fund
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

SURVIVING CHILDREN

A Soldier’s Child Foundation
Anchors Scholarship Foundation
Angels of America’s Fallen
Armed Services YMCA
The Army Scholarship Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters “Operation BIGS”
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Give an Hour
Honoring Our Fallen
MOAA Scholarships
Navy Gold Star Program
Snowball Express
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship for Surviving Spouses and Children

SURVIVING SPOUSES 

American Widow Project
Gary Sinise Foundation
Give an Hour
Gold Star Awareness
Gold Star Pins
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
Guide On
Honoring Our Fallen
Hope for the Warriors
Military One Source
Military Warriors Support Foundation
National Military Family Association
Navy Gold Star Program
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Operation Family Fund
Society Of Military Widows
Survivor Outreach Services
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
The Fallen Heroes Project
VA Benefits for Veterans’ Spouses, Dependents, and Survivors
Veterans United Foundation Scholarship for Surviving Spouses and Children

WOUNDED

EOD Warrior Foundation
Gary Sinise Foundation
Give an Hour
Operation Family Fund
Operation Home Front
Operation Ward 57
SEAL Legacy Foundation

 

SUGGESTED READING

GRIEF AND LOSS

A Grief Observed C.S. Lewis
A Widow's Guide to Healing: Gentle Support and Advice for the First Five Years Kristin Meekhof and James Windell
Getting Past What You'll Never Get Over John E. Westfall
Healing A Spouse’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Husband or Wife Dies Bonnie Carroll and Alan D. Wolfelt PhD
Here If You Need Me: A True Story Kate Braestrup
Heaven is for Real Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent
How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies Theresa A Rando, PhD
I Wasn’t Ready To Say Goodbye Brook Noel, Pamela Blair PhD
Life After Loss Bob Deits
Live, Love, and Let Go James K. Abshire MD
Military Widow: A Survival Guide Joanne M. Steen
On Death and Dying Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Second Firsts: Live, Laugh, Love Again Christina Rasmussen
Stitches Anne Lamott
When Bad Things Happen to Good People Harold S. Kushner
When God Winks Squire Rushnell
Why Are the Casseroles Always Tuna? Darcie Sims

DEATH OF A CHILD

Lament for a Son Nicholas Wolterstorff
The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child Barbara D. Rosof

SUICIDE 

After Suicide Loss Bob Baugher and Jack Jordan
Making Peace With Suicide: A book of Hope, Understanding and Comfort Adele Ryan McDowell PhD

FINANCIAL

A Widow's Guide to Healing: Gentle Support and Advice for the First Five Years Kristin Meekhof and James Windell
Financial Strategies for Today's Widow: Coping with the Economic Challenges of Losing a Spouse David Latko

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