Arkansas Veterans' Child Welfare Service

Emergency help with basic living expenses, once a fiscal year, for the minor children of an honorably discharged Arkansas veteran who has died or is medically incapacitated. The department's rule and application set the incapacity at 30 percent or more; the statute names no percentage.

Also called: 20-81-101, Veterans Child Welfare Service, child welfare fund, 30 percent, basic living expenses, American Legion, HB 1899 of 2025.

For: Child, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

ArkansasState

Arkansas Code section 20-81-101 establishes the Arkansas Veterans' Child Welfare Service to furnish "temporary and interim welfare and rehabilitation services and assistance for minor children of honorably discharged Arkansas veterans who are deceased or medically incapacitated". Its director is named by the Governor on the written recommendation of the American Legion Department of Arkansas Foundation and reports to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. House Bill 1899 of 2025, which would have changed how the director is appointed, died in committee. What the department asks. Its operating rule and its 2026 application (both read 2026-09-30; neither is on the department's rebuilt site, whose State Benefits page now sends applicants to a county service officer or the email and phone below) say the service helps eligible children of honorably discharged veterans living in Arkansas "who are deceased or medically incapacitated (30% or greater)" with basic living expenses, one application per fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. Bring the DD 214, the VA benefit summary or proof of the disability percentage, the children's birth certificates, the current utility, medical, food, rent or mortgage bills showing what is past due, a death certificate where the veteran has died, and proof of custody where needed. Children under 18, or a child VA has found helpless, qualify. The rule and the statute disagree about two things. The statute says only "medically incapacitated" and sets no rating; the 30 percent figure is the department's. And the rule cites its authority as Act 910 of 2019, codified at section 25-43-1603, rather than section 20-81-101, which is where the program is. There is no fixed amount. The application asks what sum is needed and warns that the service helps "Veterans statewide in their time of need and may be limited to the amount we are able to grant". A denial can be appealed to the Director of Veterans Services and then to the Secretary. Contact [email protected] or 501-526-9205, or a county veterans service officer.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Arkansas Veterans' Child Welfare Service
Gate	Rule
An honorably discharged veteran who has died or is medically incapacitated	Ark. Code Ann. § 20-81-101(b)(1).
The department reads incapacitated as 30 percent or more	ADVA Veterans Child Welfare Service rule and 2026 application. The statute sets no percentage, and a deceased veteran's children need none. Recorded rather than enforced.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed DD214 or other separation documents
If the veteran is not receiving VA benefits.
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by ADVA, Veterans Child Welfare Service operating guide and procedures read 2026-10-10
Needed Death certificate
If the veteran has died.
Where to get it The vital records office of the state or territory where the death occurred. The funeral home usually orders copies for the family.
Listed by ADVA, Veterans Child Welfare Service operating guide and procedures read 2026-10-10
Needed Birth certificate, or military or VA ID, for each eligible child
Where to get it The vital records office of the state or territory where the person was born.
Listed by ADVA, Veterans Child Welfare Service operating guide and procedures read 2026-10-10

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-24.

What changed then:

New official source added: “ADVA, Veterans Child Welfare Service operating guide and procedures (Internet Archive copy; the department's link answers 404 since its 2026 rebuild)”.
New official source added: “ADVA, State Benefits (Arkansas Veterans Child Welfare Service; read 2026-10-24)”.
Source removed: “ADVA, Veterans Child Welfare Service operating guide and procedures”.
And 2 more changes.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.