The families of U.S. soldiers killed in action or in accidents during the Iraq war are eligible for death benefits that could range from
$250,000 to more than $800,000.
The benefits are generally extended to the people who would have relied on the service member's income for economic security, and some can endure for the lifetime of the survivor.
Dependent children are eligible for additional compensation, although many of those benefits are terminated if a surviving spouse remarries.
The benefits, provided by the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, include up to 45 months of help with education costs for both spouse and children, as well as an income tax break lasting a year.
The overall value of the package depends on the length of military service and the age of the service member at the time of death.
