Divorce can raise a lot of questions when one spouse is a veteran. VA disability benefits are protected in some ways, but they may still affect child support, healthcare access, or other financial responsibilities. Knowing which rules apply can help veterans and former spouses avoid surprises. Here’s what to understand about how these benefits work after a marriage ends.
Can VA Disability Benefits Be Divided in Divorce?
VA disability compensation is not treated as shared property during a divorce. Federal law protects these payments from being divided between spouses, even if the benefits were received during the marriage.
This protection comes from the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA). It states that VA disability pay is not part of the marital estate. That means a divorce court cannot award any portion of it to the other spouse.
These payments are meant to support the veteran due to service-connected injuries or health issues. Because of that, they are treated differently from military retirement pay or other income that may be divided.
Garnishment for Child Support or Alimony
VA disability benefits can sometimes be garnished to help cover child support or alimony. This only happens when a veteran is receiving VA disability pay in place of part of their military retirement pay. Veterans can choose to waive a portion of their military pension in exchange for tax-free VA benefits. When they do, that portion becomes open to garnishment for legal obligations.
If a court orders support payments, the Department of Veterans Affairs may allow part of the veteran’s disability pay to be withheld. The amount usually ranges from 20% to 50%, depending on how many dependents are involved.
These benefits cannot be garnished for other debts, such as loans or credit cards. The rule applies only to family support payments ordered by a court.
Can an Ex-Spouse Ever Get VA-Related Benefits?
While VA disability compensation cannot be transferred to a former spouse, some related benefits may still be available under certain conditions.
Health Care Access: The 20/20/20 Rule
A former spouse may qualify for military health care if they meet the 20/20/20 rule:
- The marriage lasted at least 20 years
- The veteran had at least 20 years of military service
- The marriage and military service overlapped for at least 20 years
If all three conditions are met, the former spouse may keep access to TRICARE health coverage. This access ends if the former spouse remarries.
If the overlap is less than 20 years but still at least 15, the ex-spouse might qualify for limited coverage for a short time under the 20/20/15 rule.
Military ID and Base Access
Former spouses who meet the 20/20/20 rule may also keep their military ID and gain access to commissaries and exchanges. These privileges are not available if the rule is not fully met.
These benefits are not part of VA disability compensation, but they are tied to the veteran’s military service and can affect the former spouse’s financial situation.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Divorce
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is a type of insurance tied to military retirement. It allows a veteran to provide income to a spouse or former spouse after their death. If the SBP is not addressed during the divorce, the former spouse may lose the right to any future payments.
A court can award SBP coverage to a former spouse as part of the divorce terms. But to make it official, the former spouse must apply to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) within one year of the divorce. This is known as a “deemed election.”
SBP coverage is not automatic. If a veteran remarries or changes their beneficiary without notice, the former spouse could lose this benefit. Staying eligible may also depend on whether the former spouse has remarried.
Apportionment and Financial Support
If a veteran is not meeting their financial obligations, the VA may redirect part of their disability benefits to a spouse, child, or dependent parent. This process is called apportionment.
Apportionment is not automatic. The former spouse or dependent must apply through the VA and provide proof that the veteran is not offering adequate support. They must also show financial need.
The VA will review both the veteran’s and the applicant’s financial situations before deciding whether to approve the request. If approved, the VA will determine how much of the veteran’s benefits should be sent to the spouse or dependent.
This process can take time and depends on several factors, including household income and expenses. Not every request is granted.
What to Do After a Divorce
After a divorce, veterans need to update their records with the VA. This includes removing a former spouse as a dependent or adding new dependents if custody or family status has changed.
Not updating this information can lead to overpayments. If that happens, the VA may reduce future benefits to recover the extra money.
Veterans can update their records through VA.gov by submitting the proper forms and documents. This may include a divorce decree or custody agreement.
Keeping records current helps avoid delays, errors, or unexpected changes to benefits.
Wrapping Up
VA disability benefits are protected in divorce, but they can still affect financial responsibilities like child support. While former spouses can’t receive the disability payments directly, some related benefits may apply in special cases—especially if the marriage was long and overlapped with military service.
Veterans should make sure their VA records are up to date after a divorce. And both parties may want to speak with a legal professional to understand what options and limits apply to their situation.
