Help for surviving families

Take survivor benefits one step at a time.

Start with the calls below, then choose one benefit to work on. This guide covers monthly survivor payments, burial costs, health coverage, and education. Keep the records and contact notes for each application together.

Start with first steps View Benefit Areas

Calls and recordsChoose what applies

Start with the calls that apply to your family.

Use this list to contact the right offices. Write down the date, whom you spoke with, what they asked for, and when to follow up. Ask about payments before spending money that may need to be returned.

Report the death to VA: call 800-827-1000. Ask which payments must be returned and whether a surviving spouse can receive the veteran's compensation or pension for the month of death. See VA's survivor questions and answers.
If they received military retired pay, call DFAS, the military retired-pay office: 800-321-1080. Retired pay ends on the date of death. DFAS may reclaim a deposit made afterward, so ask before spending it. Ask who can claim any unpaid retired pay. See DFAS instructions after a retiree's death.
For burial in a national cemetery: you or the funeral home can call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. Ask about eligibility, available space, scheduling, and which costs are covered before making arrangements.
Ask which death certificates you need. Each agency, bank, or insurer can tell you whether it needs a certified copy and how to send it. Keep a list so you can order the copies you need.
Find the separation record (DD214). Check each application's records list. If you need a copy, request it free at archives.gov/veterans or through milConnect, the military records portal.
If they were still serving, contact your Casualty Assistance Officer. Ask for help with the death gratuity, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), and survivor applications. Keep a list of forms sent and the next follow-up date.

Payments and other help

Choose a benefit and gather its records.

The amounts below have different eligibility rules and effective dates. Read the linked instructions, choose the application that fits, and keep proof that you sent it.

Monthly survivor payments: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

The base is $1,699.36 a month, tax-free, for an eligible surviving spouse when the veteran died on or after January 1, 1993. The rate effective December 1, 2025 includes possible additions of $421.00 for each eligible child under 18 and $360.85 under the eight-year disability and marriage rule. Check the rate table and requirements for each addition.

Check eligibility: VA reviews your relationship and the veteran's service and cause of death. Some deaths not related to service can qualify under total-disability rules. Use the DIC eligibility checklist for the full requirements.
The form: VA Form 21P-534EZ — one form covers DIC, Survivors Pension, and accrued benefits (benefits still owed to the veteran at death).
Ask about the benefit start date promptly. Filing within 1 year of death can protect an earlier start date. An intent to file and exceptions may also matter; ask VA or an accredited representative what applies before waiting for every record.
Remarriage: age and date both matter. DIC can continue after remarriage at age 57 or older on or after December 16, 2003, or age 55 or older on or after January 5, 2021. Other cases need individual review. If a later marriage ends, ask VA about applying to restart payments.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) — payments through military retired pay

A spouse's monthly payment is generally 55% of the elected covered amount when SBP coverage and survivor eligibility apply. Ask DFAS to confirm the coverage and amount in the retiree's record.

This is separate from every VA benefit and comes from DFAS, not VA. Start it by calling DFAS at 800-321-1080 or via dfas.mil.
SBP and DIC can be paid together in full when you qualify for both. The reduction of SBP because of DIC ended in 2023.
Paperwork: DFAS sends an annuity packet (DD Form 2656-7) after you report the death.
Keep DFAS informed of changes. Remarriage before age 55 generally suspends spouse SBP payments; they may resume if that marriage ends. Check the SBP spouse coverage rules.

Survivors Pension — check income and wartime-service rules

For a surviving spouse with no dependents, the annual limit is $11,699, or $18,697 with approved Aid & Attendance. These rates took effect December 1, 2025. VA subtracts the income it counts from the applicable limit to work out the pension; these are not flat payments to everyone.

Check service and family rules: an unremarried surviving spouse or qualifying child must meet the Survivors Pension eligibility rules. Wartime service, discharge, marriage, and service length matter; the service-entry date affects the rules.
Same form as DIC: 21P-534EZ — VA automatically pays whichever is higher; you can't draw both.
List income, assets, and medical costs: the net-worth limit is $163,699 from December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. It includes assets and income VA counts. Eligible medical costs you paid yourself may reduce countable income, but only the amount above the applicable 5% threshold. Use the VA rate and income instructions.

Burial and memorial benefits — help with costs and honors

Burial allowances help with some costs. For qualifying service-connected deaths on or after September 11, 2001, the allowance is up to $2,000. For qualifying deaths not related to service on or after October 1, 2026, the listed amounts are up to $1,032 for burial and $1,032 for a plot. For qualifying deaths from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, the listed amounts are $1,002 for burial and $1,002 for a plot. Each allowance has its own eligibility rules. These do not cover every funeral bill. Check VA's burial allowance amounts for the date of death.

Apply with the right records: check eligibility for VA Form 21P-530EZ. Keep the death certificate, separation records, and receipts requested in the instructions.
Check the deadline: burial claims for deaths not related to service generally have a 2-year deadline after burial, with exceptions. Different time limits apply to deaths under VA care and plot or transportation claims. See VA's burial allowance and deadline rules.
Ask about cemetery and memorial benefits separately: eligible burial in a VA national cemetery includes specified services at no cost, subject to space. Private cemetery and funeral costs can remain. Read what national cemetery burial includes. A burial flag uses VA Form 27-2008.

CHAMPVA — health coverage

CHAMPVA shares covered health costs for eligible family members who are not eligible for TRICARE. It generally pays 75% of the allowable amount, after the annual outpatient deductible of $50 per person or $100 per family. Check covered care and your share of costs before treatment.

Who qualifies: spouse or child of a veteran who died of a service-connected condition or was rated permanently and totally disabled — and who isn't TRICARE-eligible (military retiree survivors usually keep TRICARE instead).
The form: VA Form 10-10d, or apply online. Questions: 800-733-8387.
Eligible for Medicare? CHAMPVA generally requires Medicare Parts A and B. Confirm your situation using the CHAMPVA eligibility instructions.

Education — Fry Scholarship vs. Chapter 35

The Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) have different eligibility and payment rules. Compare the approved program, attendance, benefits you have left, and current VA rates before choosing.

Compare individually: neither program is universally better. A spouse's choice may be permanent; children have different rules for using both programs.
Timing changed: qualifying events on or after August 1, 2023 can remove DEA time limits. Earlier cases and children's age or graduation dates need individual review.
Check current DEA rules and prepare the education application checklist before filing VA Form 22-5490.

Ask for help with one application at a time: an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help with VA claims at no charge. Ask which applications the office handles, what records to bring, and who will track the response. Find an accredited representative. For grief support, call a Vet Center at 877-927-8387 and ask about bereavement counseling eligibility.

Email this guide to yourself or a family member

Get the calls, records, benefit summaries, forms, and deadlines above in one email you can save, print, or share with family.

Support note: For urgent emotional crisis support, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and Press 1. For immediate danger, call 911.

Next forms

Start with the records you have.

Gather the separation record (DD214), death certificate, and marriage or dependency records listed for the benefit. Check the form instructions, send the requested copies, and keep the submission receipt. Note the next follow-up date. VetOps is not VA, a VSO, or a government agency. No guaranteed outcomes.

Open VA Form 21P-534EZ Open DFAS Survivor Info