Death and Survivor Benefits Guide
Part 1: Burial and Memorial Benefits
Burial Allowance
Purpose
Helps offset burial, funeral, and transportation expenses for deceased veterans.
Allowance Categories
Service-Connected Deaths - Death resulted from military service - Determination combines rated conditions with death certificate - Allowance: up to $2,000 - Alternative: VA national cemetery may cover full costs
Non-Service-Connected Deaths - Veteran was receiving VA compensation or pension at death - Allowance: up to $1,002 - Plot allowance: up to $1,002
Deaths Under VA Care - Veteran not receiving benefits but died at VA facility, State Veterans Home, or contracted nursing facility - Allowance: up to $1,002 - Plot allowance: up to $1,002
Application
Electronic: VA Form 21P-530EZ portal
Postal mail: Send completed VA Form 21P-530EZ to: - Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center - PO Box 5365 - Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Supporting materials: - DD214 or discharge documentation - Death certificate - Itemized transportation receipts - Funeral/cemetery invoice showing: veteran name, services rendered, credits applied, amounts paid
Deadlines: - Non-service-connected: Within 2 years of burial or cremation - Service-connected or VA care deaths: No deadline
Cemetery Options
Arlington National Cemetery
Discharge requirement: Honorable characterization only
Disqualifying factors: Capital crime conviction (federal/state), Title III sex offender with lifetime minimum sentence
Eligibility pathways (meet at least one): - Active duty retiree - Reserve retiree with qualifying active duty (not training alone) - Medical separation before 1949 with active service - Decorated veterans: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross/Air Force Cross/Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Purple Heart - Former POW - Former President, Vice President, Cabinet member, Supreme Court justice, Member of Congress, or senior diplomat
VA National Cemeteries
Discharge requirement: Not dishonorable
Same disqualifying criminal factors as Arlington
Memorial Items
Burial Flag
- American flag for casket or urn
- Available when discharge was not dishonorable
- May be provided to family members or close friends
Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
- No-cost provision for eligible veterans
- Obtained through VA burials section
Presidential Memorial Certificates
- Formal document bearing presidential signature
- Available when discharge was not dishonorable
- Provided to family or friends
- Automatically presented at national cemetery services
Part 2: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Who Qualifies
DIC serves surviving spouses, children, and parents when a servicemember died on active duty or a veteran's death resulted from service-related causes.
Qualifying Circumstances
The veteran's death connected to: - Service-related illness or injury (including unclaimed complications) - Conditions never formally recognized during the veteran's lifetime - Complications from VA medical treatment - VA vocational program participation (VR&E) - Veteran held 100% rating for qualifying duration (10 years prior to death, 5 years post-discharge, or 1 year for former POWs)
Spouse Requirements
Surviving spouse must meet at least one criterion: - Marriage occurred before January 1, 1957 - Marriage within 15 years of veteran's discharge - Marriage lasted at least one year before veteran's death
Special Rules
Rating considerations: - "TDIU (Individual Unemployability) counts as 100% for DIC purposes" - Felony conviction with 60+ days incarceration suspends payments - Cannot receive DIC and Survivors Pension simultaneously (higher amount applies) - DIC can combine with SBP or Reserve Component SBP
Payment Amounts (2026)
Base rate: $1,699.36 monthly
Additional amounts available for: - Spouses needing aid and attendance or who are housebound - Parents requiring aid and attendance - Spouses with minor children - 8-year provision: additional $360.85 when veteran held 100% rating for 8+ years before death - Per-child supplements for children under 18
How to Apply
Forms: - VA Form 21P-534EZ - DIC, Death Pension, and Accrued Benefits - VA Form 21P-535 - DIC for Parents
Recommendation: Work with a Veterans Service Officer for assistance.
Resources
VA Forms
- VA Form 21P-530EZ - Burial Benefits
- VA Form 21P-534EZ - DIC/Death Pension/Accrued Benefits
- VA Form 21P-535 - DIC by Parents
Official VA Resources
- VA Burial Benefits
- DIC for Surviving Spouse
- National Cemetery Administration
- Current DIC Rate Tables