Who it is for: Surviving spouse, dependent children, and in some cases dependent parents.

• 2026 base rate for a surviving spouse: $1,699.36 a month, tax-free (it rises each year with the cost-of-living increase).
• Add-ons: +$421/mo per dependent child under 18; +$421/mo if you need Aid & Attendance; +$197.22/mo if you are housebound.
• The 8-year provision: add $360.85/mo if the veteran was rated totally disabled for the 8 years right before death and you were married the whole 8 years. A separate 2-year bump of $359/mo can be added while you have a child under 18 at home.
• The 10-year rule most families never hear: if the veteran was rated 100% (totally disabled) for the 10 years right before death - or for 5 years from discharge, or 1 year for a former POW - a surviving spouse may receive DIC even if the death itself was NOT service-connected.
• PACT Act: if a DIC claim was denied in the past, you can ask the VA to look again under the newer toxic-exposure laws, and a new grant may be backdated.
• Remarriage does not end DIC if you remarry at 57 or older (55 or older for remarriages on or after Jan 5, 2021).

A surviving parent uses income-based Form 21P-535. Form 21-674 keeps DIC going for a child aged 18-23 who stays in school.

Official VA page: va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/dependency-indemnity-compensation/survivor-rates

Who it is for: Unmarried surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who had 90+ days of active service with at least one day during a wartime period, with limited income and assets.

• Net-worth limit (Dec 1, 2025 - Nov 30, 2026): $163,699 (this counts assets plus income - not your home or car).
• Maximum yearly amounts (Dec 1, 2025): surviving spouse $11,699; with a child $15,311; if housebound $14,298 ($17,902 with a child); if you need Aid & Attendance $18,697 ($22,304 with a child). Each additional child adds $2,984.
• It is a "fill-the-gap" benefit - the VA pays the difference between your countable income and the limit, so what you spend on your own care and medical bills can be subtracted and often raises the check.

The same single form covers DIC, Survivors Pension, and Accrued Benefits together.

Official VA page: va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/survivor-compensation/survivors-pension/rates

Who it is for: Surviving spouse, then children, then a dependent parent - or whoever paid the final expenses.

• Claimed on the same form as DIC and Survivors Pension - do not leave it off.
• "Substitution" lets you take the veteran's place in a claim that was open when they passed, so the work already done is not lost.

Official VA page: va.gov/family-member-benefits

Who it is for: The person who arranged or paid for the burial, and the veteran's family.

• Burial in a VA national cemetery is free for the veteran - and often the spouse and dependent children too: the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care.
• Burial allowance (deaths on or after Oct 1, 2025): up to $2,000 if the death was service-connected; $1,002 if not (plus a $1,002 plot allowance, and $1,002 if the veteran was in VA care). The eligible surviving spouse is usually paid automatically.
• A free government headstone, grave marker, or bronze medallion - even for a grave in a private cemetery (Form 40-1330, or 40-1330M for a medallion).
• A free U.S. burial flag (Form 27-2008 - bring it to a funeral director, VA regional office, or post office) and military funeral honors: the flag folding, its presentation, and the playing of "Taps." Tell your funeral director you want them.
• A Presidential Memorial Certificate signed in the veteran's honor (Form 40-0247).
• Plan ahead: anyone can apply now for a pre-need eligibility decision (Form 40-10007) so a place in a national cemetery is settled before it is needed.

Official VA page: va.gov/burials-memorials

Who it is for: An eligible surviving spouse and dependent children who are not eligible for TRICARE.

• Annual deductible is modest ($50 per person / $100 per family) with a 25% cost-share and a yearly out-of-pocket cap.
• Includes a Meds by Mail pharmacy option and access to dental and vision plans (VADIP).
• If you have Medicare, CHAMPVA pays second (after Medicare) - keeping both usually lowers your out-of-pocket cost.
• Remarriage before 55 ends CHAMPVA (you can get it back if that marriage later ends); remarriage at 55 or older does not end it.
• Mail: CHAMPVA, PO Box 469028, Denver, CO 80246-9028.

Official VA page: va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva

Who it is for: Surviving spouse and children of a veteran who died in service or from a service-connected condition, or was permanently and totally disabled.

• The Fry Scholarship pays Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (tuition, a housing allowance, and a books stipend) for children and spouses of those who died in the line of duty on or after Sept 11, 2001. A spouse can keep DIC and use the Fry Scholarship at the same time.
• Chapter 35 (DEA) pays $1,574 a month for full-time study, for up to 45 months, for other eligible survivors.
• Good news on deadlines: if the qualifying event happened on or after Aug 1, 2023, there is no time limit. Children generally use it between ages 18 and 26; Fry children who turned 18 after Jan 1, 2013 can use it at any age.
• Use the free GI Bill Comparison Tool to check a school before you enroll.

Already in school? Your school's certifying official files Form 22-1999 to certify your enrollment.

Official VA page: va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers

Who it is for: A surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a service-connected condition (and some others, including MIA/POW cases).

• No down payment and no private mortgage insurance - a real monthly saving.
• The VA funding fee is usually waived for surviving spouses.
• You first request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). If you receive DIC, file VA Form 26-1817 with the veteran's DD-214 - we can help.
• Most keep the benefit unless they remarry before age 57 (remarry at 57 or older and you may still qualify).

Official VA page: va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to-request-coe

Who it is for: The named beneficiary on the policy - and, for active-duty deaths, the designated death-gratuity beneficiary.

• Not sure what coverage existed? Call the insurance office at 1-800-419-1473 (email [email protected]). For older VA policies from before 1967, call 1-800-669-8477.
• A separate one-time, tax-free $100,000 death gratuity is paid by the military (Department of Defense) when a service member dies on active duty - or within 120 days of discharge in certain cases.
• Call to start the claim - do not assume someone else has. Have the death certificate and the veteran's information ready.

Official VA page: benefits.va.gov/insurance

Who it is for: The spouse or child named as the SBP beneficiary.

• The "Widow's Tax" is gone: as of 2023 you can receive the full SBP annuity AND full VA DIC - the old dollar-for-dollar offset was eliminated.
• Report the death to DFAS to start the annuity.

Who it is for: Surviving spouse, dependent children, and sometimes dependent parents.

• A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available to an eligible spouse or child.
• Report the death and ask about survivor benefits by phone - you generally cannot apply for survivor benefits online.
• Your VA DIC and Social Security survivor benefits can be received at the same time.

Official VA page: www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors