How to Notify the VA of a Death

When a veteran dies, the VA must be notified quickly — both to stop ongoing benefit payments that would otherwise need to be returned, and to begin the process of claiming any survivor benefits the family is entitled to. These are two separate actions that often get confused.

Here's exactly how to handle both.

Step 1: Stop VA Benefits Payments

If the deceased was receiving VA compensation, pension, or other ongoing benefit payments, those must stop immediately upon death. Any payment made for the month of death or afterward typically must be returned.

How to notify the VA: Call the VA Benefits line at 1-800-827-1000. Have the veteran's VA file number or Social Security number ready, along with the date of death. The call representative will note the death and initiate the stop-payment process.

You can also notify the VA in writing by mailing or faxing a letter with the veteran's full name, VA file number or SSN, date of birth, and date of death to the VA regional office that handled their claim. However, calling is faster, and time matters because payments deposited after notification must be returned.

About returning overpayments: VA compensation and pension benefits are paid in advance. If a payment arrives after the veteran's death, it will likely need to be returned. The VA will issue a debt notice for any amounts paid after the date the VA receives notification of death. Do not spend any VA funds deposited after the death date until you've confirmed with the VA exactly which payments are recoverable.

Some Alabama probate courts even include a line item in their fee schedule to forward certified copies of Letters Testamentary to the VA — which reflects how common and expected this notification step is.

Step 2: Request the VA Burial Allowance

The VA offers a burial allowance to help cover funeral costs for eligible veterans. This is separate from VA survivor benefits and requires its own application.

Who qualifies:

• Veterans who were receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death
• Veterans who died in a VA facility
• Veterans whose death was service-connected
• In some cases, veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, where the death was not service-connected but the family demonstrates financial need

The allowance amounts (as of 2025–2026):

• Non-service-connected death: up to $948 for burial and funeral costs, plus up to $948 for interment in a private cemetery
• Service-connected death: up to $2,000
• Death in a VA facility: up to $948 for burial expenses, plus transportation costs for the remains

How to apply: File VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits) within two years of the veteran's burial or cremation. Submit it to the VA regional office along with the death certificate, a copy of the veteran's discharge papers (DD-214), funeral home receipts, and proof of payment.

Step 3: Apply for VA Survivor Benefits (DIC and Pension)

The VA offers two primary ongoing benefit programs for surviving family members:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) DIC is a monthly benefit paid to surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died from a service-connected disability. The amount varies based on dependency status and the veteran's disability rating.

To apply, file VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits). Submit the form along with the death certificate and proof of the relationship (marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for child).

VA Survivors Pension (non-service-connected) If the veteran's death was not service-connected but the veteran served during a wartime period, the surviving spouse may qualify for VA Survivors Pension based on financial need. This is an income-based benefit with annual income and asset limits.

Aid and Attendance add-on If the surviving spouse requires the regular aid of another person due to disability, blindness, or nursing home care, they may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit on top of Survivors Pension or DIC. This is one of the more underutilized VA benefits — worth asking about explicitly when you call.

What Documentation to Have Ready

For all VA notifications and benefit applications, collect these documents upfront:

• Veteran's DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) — if you can't locate the original, request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center at archives.gov/veterans
• Certified death certificate (1–2 copies)
• Marriage certificate (for spouse claims)
• Birth certificates for dependent children
• Veteran's Social Security number and VA file number
• Funeral and burial receipts (for burial allowance)

If the DD-214 is missing, start the records request early — it can take weeks. Processing VA benefit claims without it is not possible.

For Alabama Veterans: Estate Settlement Context

The VA notification is one component of a larger post-death administrative process. Alabama also requires notification to the Social Security Administration, the Alabama Medicaid Agency (if applicable), and potentially the IRS. The Alabama probate process runs in parallel, with its own timeline for Letters Testamentary, creditor notification, and asset distribution.

The Alabama Estate Settlement Guide includes a complete agency notification checklist that covers VA, SSA, Medicaid, and IRS alongside the Alabama-specific probate steps, organized into the sequence that avoids overpayment clawbacks and missed deadlines.

See more Alabama guides →