A-320, Definitions of Military Connection

Revision 12-4; Effective October 1, 2012

 

A-321 Veteran

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs except TA 31, TP 32, TP 33, TP 34, TP 35 and TP 36

A veteran is eligible for benefits because of a military connection if the veteran is:

  • "honorably discharged" from the armed service, and
  • meets the minimum active duty requirement of:
    • 24 months of continuous active duty, or
    • the full period the person was called or ordered to active duty.

Individuals who served in the Philippine Commonwealth Army during World War II, or as Philippine scouts following the war, are veterans for purposes of eligibility.

Related Policy

Verification of Veteran Status, A-353.1

 

 

A-322 Active Duty Military Member

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs except TA 31, TP 32, TP 33, TP 34, TP 35 and TP 36

An active duty military member is eligible for benefits because of a military connection if currently on full-time duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. It does not include full-time National Guard duty.

Active duty training as a member of the Reserves, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard does not establish eligibility for the individual. The advisor must determine that training is not the reason the reserve member is on active duty.

Related Policy

Verification of Active Duty Military, A-353.2

 

 

A-323 Spouse or Minor Unmarried Dependent Child of Veteran or Active Duty Military Member

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs except TA 31, TP 32, TP 33, TP 34, TP 35 and TP 36

A spouse is eligible for benefits because of a military connection if the individual is currently married to a veteran or active duty military member. A minor unmarried dependent child under age 18 is eligible.

Related Policy

Verification of a Spouse or Minor Unmarried Dependent Child of a Veteran or Active Duty Military Member or Unmarried Surviving Spouse of a Deceased Veteran or Active Duty Military Member, A-353.3

 

 

A-324 Unmarried Surviving Spouse of a Deceased Veteran or Active Duty Military Member

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs except TA 31, TP 32, TP 33, TP 34, TP 35 and TP 36

To meet the alien eligibility status as a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran or an active-duty military member, the spouse must not have remarried, and the marriage to the veteran or active duty military member must fulfill one of the following requirements:

  • lasted at least one year;
  • occurred within 15 years after the period of service in which the
    injury or disease that resulted in the death of the veteran or active
    duty member ended; or
  • a child was born between the surviving spouse and the veteran or active duty member, either during or before the marriage.

Related Policy

Verification of a Spouse or Minor Unmarried Dependent Child of a Veteran or Active Duty Military Member or Unmarried Surviving Spouse of a Deceased Veteran or Active Duty Military Member, A-353.3

SNAP

If a currently certified surviving spouse remarries, the spouse retains eligible alien status through the end of the current certification period.