When a Veteran passes away, it can be a difficult time. VA understands and is here to help with navigating through challenges.

VA honors the sacrifices of service members’ and Veterans’ dependents and survivors through many benefit programs, which may be available to a surviving spouse, dependent children and/or parents.

Surviving family members may be eligible for certain VA benefits and programs, such as financial assistance, home loans, education assistance, VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or survivors pension.

Summary of Survivors Benefits

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

Monthly payment for the eligible surviving spouse, dependent children or parent(s) of the Veteran or service member IF the Veteran or service member died in the line of duty or due to a service-related injury or illness.

Accrued Benefits

A one-time payment to a surviving spouse, dependent children or dependent parents of a deceased Veteran based on relationship when the record shows additional benefits (such as VA compensation or pension) may have been due to the Veteran prior to passing.

Burials and Burial Allowance

Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of our National cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care; a government headstone, marker, or medallion; a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost. Some survivors may also be eligible for a plot allowance, transportation allowance, and burial allowances based on the service-connected disability status of the deceased Veteran.

Final Monthly Payment

If a Veteran who is receiving VA compensation or pension benefits passes away, their last month of benefits can be paid to their surviving spouse.

Education and Training

Chapter 35 benefits and the Fry Scholarship are the two main G.I. Bill programs offering educational assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of service-related disabilities.

Home Loan Guaranty

Home loan benefits are available for surviving spouses receiving DIC. Spouses of deceased Veterans who were on the VA-guaranteed loan can refinance their VA loan to obtain a lower interest rate through VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL).

If a surviving spouse is having trouble making their mortgage payments, VA can provide counseling to help avoid foreclosure—even if the loan isn’t a VA-guaranteed loan. Surviving spouses can contact a VA loan technician at 877-827-3702 anytime to discuss their loan. They can also send a message online through the home loan guaranty support portal.

Health Care

Survivors and dependents of Veterans may qualify for health care benefits, such as VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program, which shares the cost of most health care services and supplies with unmarried surviving spouses and children.

VA Caregiver Support Program

Advance care planning allows the caregiver and the Veteran to make important health care wishes known in advance, including assigning a trustworthy individual to make medical decisions for the Veteran if they are not able to. An advance directive is crucial for ensuring that the wishes and preferences of both caregivers and the individuals they care for are respected, particularly in times of medical crisis or incapacity.

Timely reporting and posthumous scams

VA is committed to protecting the legacy of Veterans and their loved ones. Spreading awareness of the need for the timely reporting of a Veteran’s death and posthumous scams are two more of the many ways VA supports survivors.

Timely reporting to VA helps family members avoid posthumous scams, which can cause additional financial and emotional stress during an already difficult time.

To learn more, please visit: How To Report The Death Of A Veteran To VA | Veterans Affairs.

Best practices to avoid survivors benefits scams:

  • Save important files such as the Veteran’s military service/treatment records, discharge papers, and copies of their VA claims.
  • Go to the VA website for guidance on creating an account and obtaining a VA security Personal Identification Number (PIN) to securely access benefit information. A VA Security PIN is an additional way to secure direct deposit accounts from theft and protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • Never give out PII via text, and be cautious of suspicious hyperlinks or unfamiliar hyperlinks.
  • If a survivor is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or finds suspicious activity with a direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
  • Review all documents thoroughly. Survivors should never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. They should always review the completed form before signing and retain a copy of the completed form for their records.
  • For protection against identity theft scams, notify the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to update the individual’s credit report with a deceased notice and notify the Veteran’s financial institutions so all accounts can be closed or transferred appropriately.
  • According to AARP, scammers also use names published in obituaries to pretend to be long lost relatives of the deceased. When it’s time to write your loved one’s obituary, consider leaving out the birthdate, middle name, home address, birthplace, and mother’s maiden name.
  • For other scams predators use, visit www.VA.GOV/VSAFE.

For more guidance on how to report the death of a Veteran, necessary documentation and survivor benefits resources available, visit VA Benefits For Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, And Family Caregivers | Veterans Affairs.

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7 Comments

  1. D June 14, 2024 at 07:23

    This is lies all the has done for me is killed one parent who had agent orange cancer and put other in ahome after they disables with surgery that should waited and left me all alone to die being disabled and beside giving me my meds but no help on medical stuff that can help me live longer but they want to do every thing for the gays and their spouses. And there children the va is crap

  2. Sharon Flasher June 3, 2024 at 16:20

    It has been 8 months and I haven’t got paid DIC my house and truck payment r behind and property taxes also I am discussed with u people Husband was a 100 % disable he been gone 8 months no money

    • Heidi L Conley June 5, 2024 at 11:32

      I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my husband 10 years ago and it took me almost a year to get 1 penny from them. The funeral home filed collections because his arrangements were not taken care of in a timely manner through the VA. Be patient and thank everyone that is keeping you afloat during this already trying time. Once you receive it it’s there like clock work in your account.
      God bless and thank you and your husband.

      Heidi
      Spouse of Army Veteran
      Passed 4-30-2014
      Suicide by police officer

  3. Russ thibeault. June 3, 2024 at 11:02

    I am also a Vietnam veteran

  4. Russ thibeault. June 3, 2024 at 11:00

    VA. Spouse benefits after death of veteran I am 100 disable ! What benefits is available for home care for veteran?

  5. LadyMaDona May 27, 2024 at 11:16

    My adopted Dad was my guardian &!A WW.z War Hero i! I am gonna check out as a daughter my benefits to go to school or home loan etc! Plus my Uncle died at Pearl Harbor & my blood dad was n 82 nd airborne! Guess since I was born on a Military Base I am entitled to compensation!RIP Uncle Charles & Grandpa &!Daddy! ????

  6. William Sherry May 26, 2024 at 23:49

    My Brother had passed away on Feb. 10, 2024. He was a disabled US Marine, receiving VA medical care and compensation. This information on “Understanding VA Survivors benefits” will help my sister-in-law about my deceased brother’s deceased benefits. It also makes me aware of my benefits in preparation of my passing. I am a Disabled Vietnam Veteran and have a VA Primary Disability Medical account.

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