When a veteran dies: a survivor's checklist

Why now

On Oct 24, 2026, VA News shared TAPS's invitation to the National Suicide Survivor Survey, which asks people who lost a loved one to suicide what support helped and what fell short (survey closes Oct 31, 2026). Whatever the cause of death, families often don't know which VA benefits to ask for. This is a plain checklist.

First: get support (free, 24/7)

• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): 24/7 line 800-959-TAPS (8277), taps.org. Care for anyone grieving a service member or Veteran, whatever the cause of death, including suicide loss.
• Vet Center bereavement counseling: free and confidential for eligible family members. Call 877-927-8387 or see our Vet Centers guide.
• Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Survivors in crisis can call too.
• VA's suicide postvention (support after a suicide loss) resources: VA Suicide Prevention.

Paperwork to gather

• Death certificate (with cause of death) — get several copies.
• The Veteran's DD-214 or other separation papers.
• Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates.
• The Veteran's VA rating letters, and any claim that was pending when they died.
• Funeral, burial and transport receipts in your name.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

A tax-free monthly payment for an eligible surviving spouse, child or parent when the death was in service, was from a service-connected condition, or the Veteran was rated totally disabling for the required time (generally 10 years before death, or since discharge and at least 5 years, or 1 year for a former POW who died after Sept 30, 1999).

• Spouse or child of a Veteran: VA Form 21P-534EZ (DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits).
• Spouse or child of a service member who died on active duty: VA Form 21P-534a, with the casualty assistance officer.
• Parents: VA Form 21P-535 (income limits apply).

An intent to file can protect an earlier start date. Source: VA.gov DIC.

Survivors Pension

For a low-income surviving spouse or unmarried child of a wartime Veteran, even if the death wasn't service-connected. Also filed on VA Form 21P-534EZ. Medical bills can lower countable income: see Medical bills can raise your VA pension or survivor benefit. Source: VA.gov Survivors Pension.

Accrued benefits

If the Veteran had VA money owed but unpaid at death, or a claim pending, an eligible survivor may be paid it. Ask for it on the same 21P-534EZ. File within 1 year of the death (38 CFR 3.1000). A survivor can also ask to be substituted to keep a pending claim going.

Burial, plot and transport allowances

For a death on or after Oct 1, 2026 that wasn't service-connected, VA lists a $1,032 burial allowance and $1,032 for a plot (when eligible). For a service-connected death on or after Sept 11, 2001, up to $2,000. Apply online or with VA Form 21P-530EZ. A surviving spouse listed on the Veteran's VA profile is often paid automatically. Non-service-connected burial claims generally must be filed within 2 years of burial. Also ask about a free headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, a burial flag, and burial in a national cemetery. Source: VA.gov burial allowance.

CHAMPVA health coverage

Surviving spouses and dependent children may qualify if the Veteran died from a service-connected disability, or was rated permanently and totally disabled at death, and you can't get TRICARE. Apply with VA Form 10-10d. Remarrying on or after 55 keeps CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA line: 800-733-8387 (TTY 711). Source: VA.gov CHAMPVA.

Chapter 35 education (DEA)

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance pays toward college, trade school, apprenticeships or on-the-job training (up to 36 months for training starting on or after Aug 1, 2018). Apply with VA Form 22-5490. Spouses can get DEA and DIC together; a child must give up DIC while using DEA. Source: VA.gov DEA.

Other checks

• Life insurance: VA life insurance (VALife, VGLI, SGLI) — see our VALife guide.
• A VA home loan funding-fee exemption may pass to an eligible surviving spouse.
• Report the death to VA so payments stop correctly: 800-827-1000.
• Federal job preference may extend to some widows/widowers: see our federal jobs guide.

Never pay anyone to file these. Free help: a VSO or VA-accredited representative.

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