Survivors
Support for Surviving Families
If your veteran has passed, please accept our deepest condolences. When you are ready, we will gently walk you through the benefits your family may be entitled to.
You are not alone in this
If your veteran has passed, please accept our deepest condolences. When you are ready, we will gently walk you through the survivor benefits your family may be entitled to - one step at a time.
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
A tax-free monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents.
Survivors Pension
Monthly income support for eligible surviving spouses with limited resources.
Burial & Memorial Benefits
Assistance with funeral expenses, a government headstone, and military honors.
The Survivor's Benefit Manual
We gathered every benefit your family may be owed, the exact form to file, and the number to call into one calm guide - so you are not left searching at the hardest time. Read it here, print it, or save it as a PDF and keep it by the phone.
- Every survivor benefit explained in plain language
- The forms and phone numbers, all in one list
- Print it or save it as a PDF to keep
What to do, and when
You do not have to do everything at once. We have laid out the benefits process in calm stages - the first days, the first month, and beyond - so you always know the next small step to take.
Right away
In the first days
There is no rush on benefits yet. These first steps simply protect your options while you focus on family and arrangements.
Order at least 10 certified copies of the death certificate.
Almost every agency and insurer will ask for an original - it is far easier to get extras now.
Find the veteran’s discharge papers (the DD-214).
This one document unlocks nearly every VA survivor benefit. If you cannot find it, we can help you request a copy.
Tell the funeral director your loved one served.
They can arrange military funeral honors and often help start some of the VA burial paperwork.
Do not spend any VA payment for the month of death or later.
Some payments have to be returned. If you are eligible for DIC, it is handled for you - just set the money aside until you know.
Weeks 1-4
First 30 days
Now we report the death and take care of the burial and memorial honors your veteran earned.
Report the death to the VA.
Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Have the DD-214 and death certificate nearby.
Arrange burial honors or apply for a burial allowance.
Burial in a VA national cemetery is free - call the scheduling office at 1-800-535-1117. For a private burial, apply for help with VA Form 21P-530EZ.
Learn moreRequest a free headstone, marker, or medallion.
Use VA Form 40-1330. You can also ask for a free Presidential Memorial Certificate signed in the veteran’s honor.
Learn moreNotify Social Security.
Call 1-800-772-1213. A surviving spouse may qualify for a one-time payment and monthly survivor benefits.
Month 2
Days 31-60
These are the monthly benefits that replace lost income. One VA form covers most of them - we can fill it out with you.
File for DIC, Survivors Pension, and Accrued Benefits together.
All three are claimed on a single form: VA Form 21P-534EZ. A surviving parent uses VA Form 21P-535 instead.
Learn moreFile any life insurance claim.
If the veteran had SGLI or VGLI coverage, call the insurance office at 1-800-419-1473 to start the claim.
Learn moreApply for CHAMPVA health coverage if you qualify.
Use VA Form 10-10d, or call 1-800-733-8387. It can cover a surviving spouse and children.
Learn more
Month 3 onward
Days 61-90 and beyond
With the essentials filed, these benefits keep supporting your family for years - especially children and grandchildren.
Claim education benefits for a spouse or children.
Chapter 35 (DEA) and the Fry Scholarship help pay for college or trade school. Apply with VA Form 22-5490.
Learn moreAsk about the VA home loan for surviving spouses.
Many surviving spouses can use the VA home loan benefit with no down payment.
Learn moreKeep every letter the VA sends you.
Appeal deadlines are strict - usually one year. If a decision looks wrong, do not wait to ask about it.
Let us review your file for free.
We check that nothing was missed and no benefit was left unclaimed - there is never a fee to a survivor.
Form numbers and phone lines above are the VA’s official contacts. Amounts and rules can change - always confirm the current details on va.gov, or let us walk through your family’s situation with you at no cost.
Benefits for Survivors & Family
When a veteran passes, surviving spouses, children, and parents may be entitled to monthly income, health care, education, housing help, and burial honors. We walk families through this gently, one step at a time.
Information only - not legal advice
For information purposes only - this is not legal, financial, or medical advice. The Aging Veteran is a private service and is not part of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefits are subject to VA eligibility rules. Always confirm your specifics on va.gov or with a qualified professional.
We will take this one step at a time
There is no rush and no pressure. Talk with our free assistant whenever you feel ready, or call us to speak with someone who understands.
Prefer to read first? Browse our free resources.