how to apply for va survivor benefits

How do I apply for a VA Survivors Pension?

• With the help of a trained professional. You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to...
• Online. Use the direct upload tool through AccessVA to upload your form online.
• By mail. Fill out an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ).

Full Answer

Does surviving spouse get VA benefits?

While an un-remarried spouse is eligible at any age, a child of a deceased wartime Veteran must be:

• Under 18, OR
• Under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, OR
• Permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18

Are spouses covered by VA?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many benefits to veterans and their dependents (e.g., children, spouses) for physical and mental healthcare. 1 As the spouse of a veteran, you may be able to use VA benefits to access insurance coverage for rehab and therapy related to addiction. 1

How to apply for a VA pension as a veteran?

You’ll need this information

• Social Security number or VA file number (required)
• Military history (required)
• Your financial information and the financial information of your dependents (required)
• Work history
• Bank account direct deposit information
• Medical information

How does someone know if they qualify for VA benefits?

• Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
• Were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
• Served prior to September 7, 1980

Can you apply for VA survivor benefits online?

Visit the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) page for more information on compensation benefits for survivors and dependents. You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension.

What is a Veteran widow entitled to?

If you're the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).

How much are survivor benefits from the VA?

How Much Does VA Pay? The basic monthly rate of DIC is $1,340 for an eligible surviving spouse. The rate is increased for each dependent child, and also if the surviving spouse is housebound or in need of aid and attendance.

What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?

It is important to note a key difference between survivor benefits and spousal benefits. Spousal retirement benefits provide a maximum 50% of the other spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA). Alternatively, survivors' benefits are a maximum 100% of the deceased spouse's retirement benefit.

Does the wife of a deceased veterans get benefits?

Survivors Pension Surviving spouses of deceased veterans are eligible for tax-free monthly pension benefits if they meet certain net worth and income requirements set by Congress. Those unable to work or perform daily activities can also receive a supplemental allowance.

Who is eligible for VA survivors pension?

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.

How long does a spouse get military survivors benefits?

for lifeSurviving spouses remain eligible to receive SBP benefits for life unless they remarry before age 55. In such cases, their eligibility is "suspended", rather than terminated, and will resume if their remarriage ends by death or divorce.

How long does a spouse get survivors benefits?

Widows and widowers Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 — 50 if they are disabled — provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as a surviving spouse?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you haven’t remarried after the Veteran’s death, and if the deceased Veteran didn’t receive a dishonorable...

Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as the child of a deceased wartime Veteran?

You may be eligible for this benefit if you’re unmarried and you meet at least one of these requirements. At least one of these must be true: You’r...

What wartime periods do you recognize for pension benefits?

Under current law, we recognize these wartime periods to decide eligibility for pension benefits: Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1...

How do I apply for a VA Survivors Pension?

You can apply in any of these ways: With the help of a trained professional You can work with a trained professional called an accredited represent...

Should I submit an intent to file form?

You may want to submit an intent to file form before you apply for VA Survivors Pension benefits. This can give you the time you need to gather you...

How long does it take VA to make a decision?

It depends. We process VA Survivors Pension claims in the order we receive them, unless a claim requires priority processing.

Am I eligible for education benefits?

You may be eligible for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) if you’re the child or spouse of a service member and one of these description...

What benefits can I get?

Education and training Money for tuition Money for housing Money for books and supplies

How do I get these benefits?

You’ll need to apply. Apply for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) There are 2 main GI Bill programs offering educational assistance to su...

How to apply for VA benefits?

You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.#N#Find your PMC 2 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 3 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you

How to apply for VA education benefits?

The best way to apply for your education benefits is by going to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options: By mail. Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you.

Where to apply for VA pension?

You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension. To submit a paper application Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, "Application for Pension" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.

What to do before leaving the military?

If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VA Pre-discharge claim program before leaving service. Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits for service members and Veterans.

How long does a spouse have to be on DEA?

Duration of benefits for spouses: 20 years from the service member’s date of death if they died on active duty, or 10 years from the date we determine they qualify or from the Veteran’s date of death (there may be exceptions). Fry Scholarship. Duration of benefits for spouses:

Can a dependent get VA education benefits?

Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. If you’re a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post-9/11 GI Bill ...

Can you get Chapter 35 benefits if you are a dependent?

If you’re a dependent spouse or child—or the surviving spouse or child—of a Veteran, you may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits or job training through a GI Bill program.

What is VA Survivors Pension?

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

How long did a veteran serve in the military?

At least one of these must be true. The Veteran: Entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active military service, with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or. Entered active duty after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called ...

What to do if you are not getting survivors benefits?

If you are not getting benefits. If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.

Can you report a death online?

However, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to us. You should give the funeral home the deceased person’s Social Security number if you want them to make the report. If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, ...

Can you get survivors benefits if you die?

The Basics About Survivors Benefits. Your family members may receive survivors benefits if you die. If you are working and paying into Social Security, some of those taxes you pay are for survivors benefits. Your spouse, children, and parents could be eligible for benefits based on your earnings.

How to apply for VA disability?

You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 2 Use the direct upload tool through AccessVA to upload your form online.#N#Go to AccessVA to use direct upload 3 Mail your form to this address:#N#Department of Veterans Affairs#N#Pension Intake Center#N#PO Box 5365#N#Janesville, WI 53547-5365 4 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you

How long do you have to be married to a veteran?

Married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or. Were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or.

How long do you have to serve in the military before you die?

For at least 10 years before their death, or. Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death, or. For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

Can a veteran die from a service connected illness?

The Veteran didn’t die from a service-connected illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time. If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a rating of totally disabling, they must have had this rating:

Can you get compensation as a surviving parent?

As a surviving parent. You may be able to get compensation as a surviving parent if both of the descriptions below are true for you. You’ll also need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of the descriptions below is true for the Veteran or service member.

Can you get DIC benefits if you are denied service connected disability?

If we denied your Blue Water Navy Veteran’s service-connected disability claim in the past, you may be eligible for DIC benefits based on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

How to fill out VA form 21-2680?

Fill out VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and mail it to the PMC for your state. You can have your doctor fill out the examination information section.

What is VA Aid and Attendance?

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify.