VA Survivor Benefits: What You're Owed When a Veteran Dies

When a Veteran dies, their surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for several VA benefits. For most survivor benefits, you need to check eligibility and file; some burial benefits may be handled automatically for an eligible surviving spouse.

Here's what's available, how to qualify, and where to start.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a tax-free monthly payment to the surviving spouse (or dependent children) of a veteran whose death was service-connected — meaning the death resulted from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active service.

As of 2026, the base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36 per month, effective December 1, 2025. Additional amounts may apply if the Veteran had a total disability rating for at least eight full years leading up to death and the surviving spouse was married to the Veteran for those same years, or if the surviving spouse has eligible children under 18.

Who qualifies:

• Surviving spouse who was married to the veteran at the time of death (or meets certain remarriage exceptions)
• Unmarried dependent children under 18, or under 23 if enrolled in school full-time
• Helpless children of any age who became permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18

How to file: Submit VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child). You can file online through VA.gov, through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), or by mail.

Key document: The DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you don't have it, request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center at archives.gov.

Survivors Pension (Non-Service-Connected Death)

If the veteran's death was not service-connected, the surviving spouse may still qualify for a VA Survivors Pension — a needs-based benefit for low-income survivors of wartime veterans.

Requirements:

• For a Veteran who entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period; for later entry, generally 24 months or the full period for which the Veteran was called to active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period, subject to exceptions
• The veteran's discharge was other than dishonorable
• The surviving spouse's countable income falls below the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), which adjusts annually

The pension amount is the difference between the MAPR and the survivor's countable income. Additional Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowances increase the MAPR if the surviving spouse has disabilities requiring daily assistance.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

The VA provides several burial-related benefits regardless of whether the death was service-connected.

Burial allowance: A one-time payment toward funeral and burial expenses. The amount depends on whether the death was service-connected (higher) or non-service-connected (lower, with additional conditions). File VA Form 21P-530EZ. A non-service-connected burial-allowance claim generally must be filed within 2 years after permanent burial or cremation; there is no time limit for a service-connected burial-allowance claim.

National cemetery burial: Eligible veterans and their spouses can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care. Arrange through the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.

Headstone or marker: Provided for an eligible deceased Veteran, including one buried in a private cemetery. The VA furnishes the headstone; installation arrangements and any private-cemetery charges are separate, so confirm them with the cemetery. Apply via VA Form 40-1330.

Presidential Memorial Certificate: A certificate signed by the current president, issued to eligible family members or close friends on request. It's a formal recognition of the Veteran's service. Apply online or with VA Form 40-0247 by mail or fax.

Burial flag: A United States flag to drape the casket, provided at no cost. Available through any VA regional office, most post offices, or the funeral home.

Accrued Benefits

If the veteran had a pending VA claim at the time of death — a disability rating increase, a claim for service connection, an appeal — the surviving spouse or dependents may be entitled to any benefits that would have been owed for the period before the veteran's death.

These are called accrued benefits. A surviving spouse or child can generally apply using VA Form 21P-534EZ, and the application is generally due within 1 year of the Veteran's death. Certain lump-sum accrued-benefits claims have a 5-year deadline after the Veteran's death. Reference the pending claim by its file number.

CHAMPVA

If the surviving spouse doesn't qualify for TRICARE, they may qualify for CHAMPVA — the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. CHAMPVA covers a portion of medical expenses for the surviving spouse and dependent children of a Veteran who died from a service-connected condition, or who was permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition at the time of death.

Apply with VA Form 10-10d.

Social Security Coordination

VA benefits and Social Security survivor benefits are separate systems, but the interaction depends on the VA benefit. DIC generally can be paid alongside Social Security, while Social Security income can affect a needs-based Survivors Pension. If the deceased Veteran was also receiving Social Security, the surviving spouse should contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for survivor benefits independently.

Note: the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, which previously could reduce Social Security benefits for people receiving certain government pensions, were repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act in January 2025. If the surviving spouse was previously affected by GPO or WEP, those offsets no longer apply — contact SSA to verify that the adjustment has been processed and inquire about retroactive payments back to January 2024.

Where to Get Help Filing

VA claims can be complex, and a qualified representative can help prepare and submit the paperwork.

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — including the American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and AMVETS — provide free claims assistance. They have accredited representatives who can prepare and submit claims on your behalf.

County Veterans Service Officers exist in most US counties and provide free, in-person assistance with VA paperwork.

VA Accredited Attorneys and Claims Agents can be retained for complex claims, especially appeals. The VA maintains a searchable directory at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.

If you're navigating VA benefits alongside the broader work of settling a parent's estate — from probate to tax filings to the grief itself — the When Your Father Dies toolkit includes a government benefits navigator that maps the full claims landscape.