Veterans Benefits After Death: What Families Need to Know

When a veteran dies, the family is grieving. The last thing on anyone's mind is paperwork.

But the Department of Veterans Affairs offers significant benefits to surviving family members — burial assistance, monthly income for surviving spouses, education benefits for dependents, and more. The problem is that many families never apply because they don't know these benefits exist, or they assume their loved one "didn't serve long enough" or "wasn't in combat" to qualify.

That assumption leaves real money on the table. Many peacetime veterans qualify for the same benefits as combat veterans. This guide covers every major VA survivor benefit, who's eligible, and how to apply.

First Steps: Notifying the VA

Before filing for any benefits, you need to notify the VA that the veteran has passed.

How to report a veteran's death:

• Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. This is the main benefits line. They'll update the veteran's records and can walk you through next steps.
• Visit your nearest VA Regional Office. You can find locations at va.gov. In-person visits are helpful if you have questions or need help with forms.
• Contact the funeral home. Most funeral directors with veterans experience will handle VA notification as part of their services and can help file for burial benefits simultaneously.

What you'll need:

• The veteran's full legal name and Social Security number
• Date and place of death
• DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
• Death certificate (multiple certified copies — you'll need them for several benefit applications)

If you're also serving as executor of the veteran's estate, notifying the VA should be one of your first tasks alongside securing the death certificate and notifying financial institutions.

DD Form 214: The Key to Everything

The DD Form 214 is the veteran's discharge document. It proves military service and is required for nearly every VA benefit application. Think of it as the master key that unlocks everything else.

If you have it: Make multiple copies. You'll submit it with burial benefit claims, DIC applications, pension requests, and more.

If you can't find it: Don't panic. You can request a replacement.

• Online: Submit SF-180 through the National Archives at archives.gov/veterans
• By mail: Send SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138
• Through an advocate: Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like the American Legion, VFW, or DAV can help you request records at no cost

Processing can take several weeks, so start this early. A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973 destroyed many records from 1912-1964, so some older records may require alternative documentation.

What the DD-214 tells you:

• Dates and branch of service
• Discharge characterization (honorable, general, etc.)
• Medals and awards received
• Whether the veteran had service-connected disabilities

The discharge characterization matters. Most VA benefits require an honorable or general discharge. A dishonorable discharge generally disqualifies survivors from benefits, though some exceptions exist.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

The VA provides several burial-related benefits, and they're available regardless of whether the veteran died from service-related causes.

National Cemetery Burial

Veterans with an honorable or general discharge are eligible for burial in a national cemetery at no cost to the family. This includes:

• Gravesite in any national cemetery with available space
• Opening and closing of the grave
• Government headstone or marker
• A burial flag
• A Presidential Memorial Certificate

The surviving spouse and minor children may also be eligible for burial in the same cemetery, even if they're not veterans.

To arrange burial in a national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.

Burial Allowance for Private Cemeteries

If the family prefers a private cemetery, the VA may provide a burial allowance to help cover costs:

• Service-connected death: Up to $2,000 toward burial expenses
• Non-service-connected death (veteran receiving VA pension or disability): Up to $948 for burial and $948 for a plot
• Wartime veteran: Even if not receiving VA benefits at time of death, a partial burial allowance may be available

These amounts are updated periodically. File VA Form 21P-530 to apply.

Headstones, Markers, and Medallions

The VA provides a government headstone or marker at no cost for any eligible veteran, whether buried in a national or private cemetery. Options include:

• Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble
• Upright granite or marble
• Bronze niche markers for columbaria

If the family has already purchased a private headstone, the VA will provide a bronze medallion to attach to it, indicating veteran status.

Apply using VA Form 40-1330 for headstones/markers, or VA Form 40-1330M for medallions.

Burial Flag

A United States flag is provided at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the urn. After the service, the flag is given to the next of kin. Request one through the funeral home or the local post office using VA Form 27-2008.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible survivors of veterans whose death was service-connected — or who were rated totally disabled for a specified period before death.

This is one of the most significant VA survivor benefits. As of 2026, the base monthly rate for a surviving spouse is approximately $1,612. Additional amounts may apply for dependent children or if the survivor is housebound.

Who qualifies:

• Surviving spouse who was married to the veteran at the time of death (and has not remarried, with some exceptions for remarriage after age 57)
• Surviving children under 18, or under 23 if attending a VA-approved school
• Surviving parents who are dependent on the veteran for financial support (Parents' DIC)

Eligibility scenarios:

• The veteran died from a service-connected injury or disease
• The veteran was receiving (or was entitled to receive) 100% disability compensation for at least 10 years before death
• The veteran was rated totally disabled for at least 5 years from the date of military discharge

How to apply: File VA Form 21P-534EZ (for surviving spouses/children) or VA Form 21P-535 (for surviving parents). You can apply online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA Regional Office.

Important: There is no time limit to file for DIC, but payments generally begin from the date the VA receives your application. File as soon as possible.

Survivors Pension

The Survivors Pension is a needs-based, tax-free monthly benefit for the surviving spouse or unmarried child of a deceased wartime veteran.

This is different from DIC. DIC is for service-connected deaths. The Survivors Pension is income-based — it's available even when the veteran's death had nothing to do with military service.

Requirements:

• The veteran served during a wartime period (including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11)
• The veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• The survivor's countable income falls below a threshold set by Congress annually

2026 approximate annual income limits:

• Surviving spouse with no dependents: ~$10,000
• Surviving spouse with one dependent: ~$13,000

These numbers change yearly. Net worth is also considered — the VA uses an asset limit (approximately $155,356 as of recent years) to determine eligibility.

How to apply: File VA Form 21P-534EZ. The same form is used for both DIC and Survivors Pension. The VA will evaluate eligibility for both programs from one application.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Survivors already receiving the Survivors Pension may qualify for additional monthly payments if they meet certain conditions.

Aid and Attendance applies if the survivor:

• Requires the aid of another person for daily activities (bathing, feeding, dressing)
• Is bedridden
• Is a patient in a nursing home
• Has significantly limited eyesight

Housebound benefits apply if the survivor is substantially confined to their home due to a permanent disability.

These benefits can significantly increase the monthly pension. For example, a surviving spouse on the Survivors Pension may see their monthly payment roughly double with Aid and Attendance added.

Apply by submitting medical evidence with VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance).

Education Benefits: Transferred GI Bill

If the veteran transferred their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents while still serving, those benefits may continue after the veteran's death.

What's covered:

• Tuition and fees at public institutions (up to the full in-state amount)
• A monthly housing allowance
• A books and supplies stipend

Key details:

• Transfer must have been approved by the Department of Defense before the veteran's death
• Benefits typically expire 36 months after first use or when the dependent reaches age 26 (though recent legislation has extended some deadlines)
• Surviving spouses must use transferred benefits within 15 years of the veteran's last separation from active duty

If the veteran did not transfer GI Bill benefits before death, the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program (Chapter 35) may be available to spouses and children of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who were permanently and totally disabled.

DEA provides up to 45 months of education benefits. Apply using VA Form 22-5490.

Life Insurance: SGLI and VGLI

The VA administers two primary life insurance programs that may pay out upon a veteran's death.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Active-duty service members are automatically enrolled in SGLI, which provides up to $500,000 in coverage. If the veteran was still serving at the time of death, the beneficiaries named on the SGLI form receive the payout.

Contact the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance at 1-800-419-1473 to file a claim.

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

After separation from service, veterans can convert their SGLI to VGLI. If the veteran maintained a VGLI policy, the named beneficiaries can file a claim.

Important: SGLI/VGLI proceeds go to the named beneficiaries on the policy, not necessarily to the estate or the next of kin. Check the veteran's policy to confirm who the beneficiaries are. This is one of several financial matters that fall outside the standard executor checklist because they're paid directly to beneficiaries.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)

If the veteran suffered a qualifying traumatic injury during service, a one-time payment of up to $100,000 may be available through TSGLI. This is separate from the SGLI death benefit.

Common Mistakes That Cost Families Benefits

Assuming the veteran wasn't eligible. Many families don't apply because the veteran served during peacetime, never saw combat, or left the military decades ago. None of these factors automatically disqualify survivors. If the veteran served on active duty and received an honorable or general discharge, survivor benefits are likely available.

Not applying because of income. Some benefits like the Survivors Pension are income-based, but the thresholds are higher than many families assume. And DIC and burial benefits have no income limits at all. Apply and let the VA determine eligibility — don't self-screen.

Waiting too long to file. There's no deadline for most VA benefits, but payments generally start from the date the VA receives the application. Filing six months after the death means six months of potential DIC or pension payments lost.

Not getting help. VA forms can be confusing, and the process can be slow. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — including the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and state-level organizations — provide free claims assistance. They can help complete forms, gather evidence, and follow up with the VA.

Losing track of multiple benefit streams. Between burial benefits, DIC, pension, education, and insurance, there are many separate applications to file and track. Using an estate management platform like HeirPortal can help families and executors track every benefit alongside other estate milestones, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Where to Get Free Help

You don't have to navigate VA benefits alone. Several organizations provide free assistance:

• Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, and others have trained claims representatives who help for free
• State Veterans Affairs offices: Every state has a department of veterans affairs with staff who can help file claims
• VA Regional Offices: Walk-in assistance available at va.gov/find-locations
• County Veterans Service Officers: Many counties employ a dedicated veterans service officer
• The VA's Survivors Assistance line: 1-800-827-1000

These organizations can help you determine which benefits the family qualifies for, complete the paperwork, and follow up if claims are delayed.

FAQ

Do all veterans qualify for burial benefits, or only combat veterans?

Most veterans with an honorable or general discharge qualify for burial benefits regardless of whether they served in combat. This includes peacetime veterans, Reserve and National Guard members who were activated for federal duty, and veterans who served in non-combat roles. The key requirement is the discharge characterization, not combat service.

Can a surviving spouse receive both DIC and the Survivors Pension?

No. DIC and the Survivors Pension are separate programs, and you cannot receive both simultaneously. However, the VA will evaluate your eligibility for both when you submit VA Form 21P-534EZ and will award the higher benefit. DIC is generally the larger payment.

What if the veteran's DD-214 was lost in the 1973 fire?

The National Personnel Records Center has reconstruction procedures for records destroyed in the 1973 fire. Alternative evidence can include discharge papers held by state veterans affairs offices, old tax returns showing military income, photographs in uniform, and sworn statements from fellow service members. A VSO can help you navigate the reconstruction process.

How long does it take to receive VA survivor benefits?

Processing times vary. Burial benefits are typically processed within a few weeks. DIC and Survivors Pension claims can take 3-6 months, sometimes longer if additional evidence is needed. Filing a complete application with all supporting documents speeds up the process significantly. VSOs can help ensure your application is complete before submission.

Does remarriage affect a surviving spouse's eligibility?

It depends on the benefit and when the remarriage occurs. For DIC, remarriage after age 57 does not terminate benefits (under current law). For the Survivors Pension, remarriage generally ends eligibility. Burial benefits for the surviving spouse in a national cemetery are not affected by remarriage. Check current VA policy, as these rules have changed in recent years.

Are benefits available for veterans who served in the Reserves or National Guard?

Yes, but eligibility depends on the nature of service. Reserve and Guard members who were called to federal active duty (under Title 10) are generally eligible for the same benefits as active-duty veterans. Those with only Title 32 (state) service may have limited eligibility. The DD-214 or equivalent discharge paperwork will show the nature of service.

Losing a veteran is painful. Navigating the benefits system shouldn't add to that pain. The VA offers meaningful support to surviving families — burial assistance, monthly income, education benefits, and more. Most of it goes unclaimed simply because families don't know it exists. Now you do. File early, get help from a VSO, and make sure your family receives everything your loved one's service earned.