Comprehensive Guide to VA Survivor Benefits

If you are the spouse or dependent of a military Servicemember who died in the line of duty, a retiree, or Veteran, you are eligible for a variety of benefits offered by the Veterans Administration. The Veterans Administration established these VA survivor benefits to provide certain means and support to survivors, particularly widows, of military personnel who have lost a family member. Recognizing that spouses and families are an essential part of the support system for military personnel, VA survivor benefits seek to provide these important supporters of the military with education, healthcare, and other VA surviving spouse benefits.

What Are VA Survivor Benefits?

Depending on your deceased Servicemember’s level of service, VA survivor benefits cover a variety of different types of healthcare, financial, educational, survivors pensions and other supportive VA surviving spouse benefits. Both the spouses and dependents of the deceased Servicemember typically qualify for these VA survivor benefits, with a primary focus on healthcare and education. Some of these VA surviving spouse benefits include:

• Dependency and indemnity compensation is paid to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a Veteran who died after January 1, 1957.
• The surviving spouse or unmarried dependent child of a Veteran who served during wartime receives a survivors pension, VA surviving spouse benefits and DIC benefits.
• Housebound allowance for those who receive VA survivors pensions and are in need of help with daily activities or are housebound.
• Burial assistance to help with the burial cost of Veterans and their survivors.
• Unmarried surviving spouses who qualify for VA home loans can receive home loan benefits.
• VA survivor benefits provide spouses’ educational scholarships for a variety of educational pursuits or professional certifications.

Eligibility Requirements for VA Survivor Benefits

The level of VA surviving spouse benefits that you qualify for is tied to the level of service of your qualifying Servicemember. In some cases, the circumstances of the Veteran’s death also apply in how your VA surviving spouse benefits are calculated.

The survivors’ pension, as part of the VA surviving spouse benefits, is available to the surviving spouses and unmarried children of Veterans who served for at least 90 days of active duty, including at least one day during wartime or 24 months of active duty after September 7, 1980.

Eligibility requirements are typically as follows:

• The Veteran was discharged under any condition other than dishonorable discharge.
• The Veteran’s income was below the survivors’ pension rate independent of regular VA surviving spouse benefits.
• The Veteran died on active duty, active-duty training, or due to a service-related condition.
• Marriage to the Veteran was for at least one year.
• The survivor had a child with the Veteran.
• The survivor cohabitated with the Veteran until their death or went through a no-fault divorce.
• The survivor is not currently remarried or any other disqualifying factors in VA death benefits for spouses.
• The surviving child must be between 18 and 26 years old and unmarried.

How to Apply for VA Survivor Benefits

To apply for VA survivor benefits, follow these steps:

1. Work with a professional at a Veteran service organization, claims agent, or accredited attorney who specifies in VA survivor benefits or DIC benefits and knows the requirements for eligibility for VA survivor benefits.
2. After you confirm your eligibility for VA survivor benefits or DIC benefits, apply online at Access VA and upload your filled-out Form 21P-534EZ in PDF format.
3. Fill out the form and mail it to the department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI, 53547-5365.
4. Visit a VA regional office to complete the application, or print it out, fill it out, and bring it to your regional office.
5. If applying for educational benefits, bring information about your school, tuition, and, if applicable, an acceptance letter, along with proof of your eligibility for VA survivor benefits.

Understanding DIC and Other Financial Benefits for Survivors

The surviving spouses, children, or parents of Servicemembers who died while on active duty or from a service-connected disability receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or DIC benefits, as a tax-free monthly benefit. The purpose of DIC benefits is to provide an extra financial boost to survivors of Servicemembers who might be in need of further financial assistance than regular military pension provides. Those who are eligible for the DIC benefits include the surviving spouses, children, stepchildren, and, depending upon the circumstances, the parents of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty. DIC benefits are dependent upon the Veteran’s pay grade and the number of eligible dependents, as well as some aspects of service. In order to qualify for these VA survivor benefits, the Veteran should be one who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training, or incurred a service-related disease or injury as a result of service in the military. The DIC benefits monthly payment amount in VA surviving spouse benefits are determined by a pay scale that considers the Servicemember’s type of service and length of service.

Educational Assistance for Dependents

Survivors of deceased military personnel are eligible to receive educational assistance for their dependents in certain academic pursuits through VA survivor benefits. The primary program is the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program, which is applicable to college tuition and related expenses for up to 20 years after the death of their Servicemember. The Veterans Affairs system often refers to it as Chapter 35. It is for eligible surviving spouses and children of military personnel who died while on active duty or due to service-related causes. These VA survivor benefits can cover a portion of tuition, fees, and other educational needs, such as books or other materials. Dependent children of Servicemembers must be between 18 and 26 years of age to utilize these VA surviving spouse benefits.

To apply for the DEA program:

1. Download and fill out VA Form 22-5490.
2. Be sure to include both your Social Security number and your sponsor’s Social Security number, school information, bank details, and any other necessary information.
3. Submit it to the appropriate VA survivor benefits or DIC benefits regional processing office.
4. Once processed, you will receive a certificate of eligibility (COE), which you must submit to your chosen program during enrollment to apply for VA survivor benefits.

VA Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouses

The Department of Veteran Affairs provides the VA Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouses benefit, a monthly pension, to the spouses of deceased Veterans who require assistance with daily living activities due to a medical condition. It offers financial support on top of their regular survivor’s pension to cover the cost of in-home nursing care. To qualify for this benefit, the spouse or survivor should have been married to the Veteran who served during wartime and meets certain medical needs that require assistance. The VA adds this benefit to the existing spouse pension to help cover monthly care costs, assisting with nursing care tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, or managing medication. The VA also considers certain asset limits or income requirements to qualify for this benefit.

To apply for this benefit, the survivor must fill out VA Form 21–2680, the Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance and submit it along with supporting medical evidence from a qualified doctor to the local VA office. They may also need to submit VA Form 21-0779 if residing in a nursing home.

Long-Term Care and Housing Benefits for Surviving Spouses

As part of the VA Benefits for Surviving Spouse program, the VA provides long-term care to the surviving spouse of a Veteran or Servicemember, either to supplement their income or to cover the cost of senior care in a home or senior living facility. To qualify, the Veteran or surviving spouse must need assistance with at least two activities of daily living, such as bathing or medication management services. It applies primarily to those who are either confined to their homes, in a senior living facility, or in a community living center, such as a VA nursing home. The level of assessed need primarily determines its application, with the aim of compensating caregivers or any other eligible adult who provides care to the Veteran or spouse. Not all who receive VA survivor benefits is eligible for this program, even those who receive other VA surviving spouse benefits. A VA social worker can help begin this process, or you can call the VA toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387. You can also visit a VA regional office and request assistance with your VA surviving spouse benefits. 

Frequently Asked Questions: VA Survivor Benefits