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Manual Title Chapter Page Revision Date Virginia Medical Assistance Eligibility M02 October 2016 Subchapter Subject Page ending with Page M0220.000 CITIZENSHIP & ALIEN REQUIREMENTS M0220.311 13
b) the unremarried surviving spouse of an individual described in 1. or 2. above who is deceased, if the spouse was married to the veteran • before the expiration of fifteen years after the termination of the period of service in which the injury or disease causing the death of the veteran was incurred or aggravated; or • for one year or more; or • for any period of time if a child was born of the marriage or was born to them before the marriage. A divorced person is not a spouse. A “dependent child” for this section’s purposes is one whom the Veterans Administration (VA) has determined to meet the VA definition of “dependent child.” According to the VA, a dependent child is an unmarried child under age 18, an unmarried child between ages 18 and 23 who is attending a VA-approved school, or a “helpless” child who became disabled before attaining age 18. B. Verification 1. Discharge Status Acceptable verification of honorable discharge or active duty status include the following documents: For discharge status, an original or notarized copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD 214) issued by the branch of service in which the alien was a member verifies whether he/she was honorably discharged for a reason other than alien status. Other documentation which is acceptable under the Department of Defense (DOD) or VA guidelines can be substituted for the DD 214 form. A self declaration under penalty of perjury may be accepted pending receipt of acceptable documentation. 2. Active Duty Status For active duty military status, an original or notarized copy of the alien’s current orders showing the individual is on full-time duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (full-time National Guard duty is NOT active military status), or a military identification card (DD Form 2 (active)) verifies whether the alien is in active duty military status. Other documentation which is acceptable under the Department of Defense (DOD) or VA guidelines can be substituted for the current orders or military ID card. A self declaration under penalty of perjury may be accepted pending receipt of acceptable documentation.