DH was given 100% permanent the month before he died. Agent Orange and PTSD and other injuries. As his widow I receive 50% of his benefits. There is no income tax on these monthly benefits.
As his widow I was also entitled to his education benefits, it paid for my second degree. I believe I had ten years in which to use the education benefits at an accredited school.
VA housing (mortgage) benefits apply (also has a time limit) and in our state the license plates are free.
Plus I can use my military ID for shopping on base and at places like Lowes and Home Depot and a lot of other businesses including ladies clothing stores for usually 10% discount. 10% discount may not be much, but over the years I've saved hundreds.
Just look at the VA site on line under DIC. Paperwork was a nightmare as I'm sure you know. In the end we even involved our congressman. Anyway, I tend to think the VA payments are safe for your husband and hopefully relatively safe for the widows and dependents as well.
This VA payment plus a very small survivor benefit from Civil Service is enough for me to live on-barely:). It would not be if I had to pay rent or G forbid, mortgage pmts.
Surprisingly the very best benefit turned out to be gov't empl health insurance as I was covered under his Civ Svc policy and elected to continue coverage. Little did I know at the time what a huge benefit this would turn out to be.
I do have other income and Mr. R. is still working, so it is all good - I'm more worried about the cost of his health insurance once he is retired than I am about the VA payments, I don't think they are going anywhere, unless something drastic happens.