Below is a list of items to help you understand and file for Veterans Survivor Benefits:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits and services for the surviving spouse, dependent children and dependent parents of deceased veterans and military service members.
DIC is a tax-free benefit for the surviving spouse and dependent children. A spouse's Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) annuity is reduced by any DIC amount received.
Note: A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.
VA also adds a transitional benefit of $250 to the surviving spouse's monthly DIC if there are children under age 18. The amount is based on a family unit, not individual children. It is paid for two years from the date that entitlement to DIC commences, but is discontinued earlier when there is no child under age 18 or no child on the surviving spouse's DIC for any reason.
To apply for DIC:
Usually an application for DIC benefits is completed by the Casualty Assistance Officer and submitted on behalf of the survivor.
VA Form 21-534a, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child, is used for this purpose. This form needs special processing and should be mailed or FAXED along with DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office and Insurance Center
P.O. Box 8079
Philadelphia, PA 19101
FAX number: (215) 381-3084.
Parents' DIC is a monthly benefit amount for the decedent's parents. It is based on income.
To apply for Parents DIC:
Download and complete a PDF version of VA Form 21-535 and mail to the VA regional office that serves the area where you reside.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance provides payment of a monthly education or training allowance to the spouse and children of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability. Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of benefits. Professional, educational and vocational counseling will be provided to eligible children and surviving spouses without charge upon request.
To apply for DEA:
Download and complete a PDF version of VA Form 22-5490. Follow the instructions on the form for more information on how to file the application for DEA benefits.
This program is available to eligible survivors while pursuing a program of education or training under Dependent's Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).
To apply for Work Study Employment:
Download and complete a PDF version of VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance. Follow the instructions on the form for more information on how to file the application for Work Study benefits.
The surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or as the result of a service-connected disability may be eligible for a guaranteed loan from a private lender. The loan may be used to purchase, construct or improve a home; to purchase a manufactured home and/or lot; or to refinance existing mortgages or other liens of record on a dwelling owned and occupied by the surviving spouse as his or her home. There is no time limit to use this benefit.
To apply for a VA Home Loan Guaranty:
Download and complete a PDF version of VA Form 26-1817, Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility and submit it to the VA Loan Eligibility Center that serves your location.
• Headstones and Grave Markers VA provides headstones and grave markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and of eligible dependents who are buried in military post, state veteran or national cemeteries. Niche markers also are available for identifying cremated remains in columbaria and memorial markers if the remains are not available for burial.
• Presidential Memorial Certificate A certificate bearing the President's signature is issued to recognize the service of deceased veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions. Eligible recipients include next of kin or other loved ones. A certificate can be issued to more than one eligible recipient. VA regional offices can help you in applying for certificates.
More instructions and application information may be found by clicking on either of the two topics above.
Information on where and how to file for Service member's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) proceeds may be found at VA's Insurance Center Web Site. You may also contact the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance by phone at 1-800-419-1473, by email at osgli.claims@prudential.com, or by mail at:
Office of Service members' Group Life Insurance
80 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068-1733
• Financial Counseling services are available at no cost to SGLI Insurance beneficiaries. This service provides a one-on-one counseling session, a detailed step-by-step financial plan, and access to financial counselors for one year. For additional information, call 1-888-243-7351.
Bereavement Counseling is now being offered to parents, spouses and children of Armed Forces personnel who died in the service of their country. Also eligible are family members of reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on duty. To find out more about Bereavement Services click here.
VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to survivors and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs. These services are designed to help an individual choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen goal.
Survivors and dependents should contact their local VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment program office for further information.
The designated survivor of a deceased service member will be refunded the service member's :
• pay reductions for participation in the Montgomery GI Bill, less benefits previously paid to the service member's
• contributions to the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
• Visit your VA regional office, or
• Call toll-free 1-800-827-1000, or
• *=Electronic Internet messaging at: https://iris.va.gov, or
• Visit the VA web site at http://www.va.gov.
• Information about State benefits may be found at: http://www.va.gov/partners/stateoffice/index.htm
There are many veterans service organizations that offer assistance as well as other Federal and private organizations. For information on these organizations, refer to your telephone directory, contact your VA regional office, or visit the VA web site. Here is a list of the contacts available:
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