VA Form 21P-534EZ Instructions: How to Apply for DIC and Survivors Pension

What VA Form 21P-534EZ Covers

VA Form 21P-534EZ is the application that surviving spouses and dependent children use to claim one or more of these benefits:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — monthly tax-free payment for service-connected deaths
• Survivors Pension — needs-based monthly payment for wartime veteran survivors
• Accrued Benefits — any unpaid benefits the veteran was owed at the time of death
• Increased survivor benefits — special monthly pension or DIC based on Aid and Attendance or housebound status, or pension benefits for a disabled child

Select the benefit or benefits you are applying for. VA decides eligibility from the information and evidence you provide; the form does not automatically claim every benefit for you.

Before You Start: Gather These Documents

Depending on the benefits you claim, gather the relevant documents before starting:

• Veteran's DD Form 214 (or other discharge documentation)
• Copy of the death certificate
• Your marriage certificate (and any prior divorce decrees if applicable)
• Birth certificates for dependent children claiming benefits
• Veteran's Social Security number
• Your Social Security number
• 12 months of income records (Social Security statements, pension statements, wage records)
• 12 months of unreimbursed medical expense receipts (if applying for Survivors Pension)
• Net worth statement (bank balances, investment accounts, real property values)
• VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) if you previously submitted one

Key Information to Provide

Veteran Information. Provide the veteran's name, Social Security number, VA file number if known, date of birth, date of death, and service details. Include other names the veteran used if relevant.

Claimant Information. Provide your full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. The application is for a surviving spouse or child; follow its instructions for your claimant status.

Marriage Information. If you are claiming as a surviving spouse, provide the date and place of marriage and information about prior marriages as requested. For a common-law marriage, identify where it was established.

Dependent Children. List eligible unmarried children under 18, children under 23 attending school full-time, and children who became incapable of self-support before age 18. Provide the identifying and school information the application requests.

Service Information. Provide service details and include the DD Form 214 or other separation documents if available. VA may ask for additional service information if needed.

Cause of Death. If applying for DIC, provide the cause-of-death information and supporting evidence requested. If you are unsure whether the death was service-connected, provide the available information; VA makes that determination.

Income and Net Worth. If applying for Survivors Pension, report income sources and assets requested by the application. The primary residence and personal effects such as appliances and vehicles needed for transportation are excluded from the asset calculation.

Medical Expenses. If applying for Survivors Pension, report unreimbursed medical expenses requested by the application. Allowable expenses above 5% of the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate may reduce countable income.

Certification and Signature. Sign and date the form. False statements are subject to penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.

How to Submit

Three submission options:

1. Online — File through VA.gov's online portal (requires a VA.gov account with ID.me or Login.gov verification)
2. By mail — Send the completed form and supporting documents to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
3. Through a VSO — A VA-recognized Veterans Service Organization representative can help prepare and submit the form. Representation does not guarantee faster processing.

Processing Timeline

There is no fixed 3-to-6-month processing period for every 534EZ claim. Processing depends on the benefit claimed and the records and evidence needed; VA may ask you for additional information.

An Intent to File may preserve its received date if VA receives the completed claim within one year. For an eligible survivor claim received within one year of the veteran's death, the benefit may instead be effective from the first day of the month of death.

Common Mistakes That Delay Claims

• Leaving cause-of-death information out of a DIC claim — provide the details and evidence requested; VA determines whether the death was service-connected.
• Not reporting medical expenses — allowable unreimbursed expenses above 5% of the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate may reduce countable income for Survivors Pension.
• Submitting without the DD-214 — VA may verify service through its records, but include a copy if you have one or if VA requests it.
• Forgetting prior marriages — omitting prior marriages creates a verification delay that can stall the entire claim.

The Veteran's Death Benefits & Survivor Claims toolkit includes a pre-filled document organizer that maps each 534EZ section to the specific supporting documents required — so you submit a complete package the first time.