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Office of Survivors Assistance

FAQs

During this difficult time, we know that you will have questions about survivors benefits and how to obtain them. The Office of Survivors Assistance has prepared a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) to assist you. Please review this FAQ to see if your question has already been addressed, or visit NCA's helpful FAQ list here.

If you would like to suggest a question to be included on the OSA FAQ list, please contact us at officeofsurvivors@va.gov

  1. How do I apply for benefits?

  2. How do I reinstate my previous benefit?

  3. If I remarried, is there an impact on my DIC eligibility?

  4. Is there someone that can help me file my claim?

  5. How do I check the status of my claim?

  6. How do I know if I am eligible for a benefit?

  7. As survivor, am I eligible for my loved one's month of death compensation?

  8. What is the difference between DIC and SBP?

  9. What is the difference between DIC and Survivor's Death Pension?

  10. Is DIC taxable income?

  11. What is CHAMPVA?

  12. As a surviving spouse, am I eligible for VA medical care?

  13. How do I update my contact information?

  14. What education benefits are available and what is the Sgt. Fry Scholarship?

  15. How can I access information about VA Education Benefits for myself or for my children?

  16. What are VGLI/SGLI and how do I file a claim?

  17. How do I get a copy of my loved one’s DD-214 or DD-1300?

  18. Who is eligible for Veteran Center grief counseling, and how can I locate a center?

  19. Am I eligible for a VA Home Loan as a widow/widower?

  20. How can I find information about homeless shelters within my community?

  21. My question is not covered above, is there another source of information I can check?

1.  How do I apply for benefits?

The application for VA Survivors Benefits is a straight forward process that involves the claimant completing the appropriate forms and supplying the necessary documentation.   Applications are then sent to the appropriate VA Regional Office or Pension Management Center for processing.

It is strongly recommended that claimants make duplicate copies of their application for their own records.

To review the programs available, please visit: https://www.va.gov/opa/persona/dependent_survivor.asp

 

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2.  How do I reinstate my previous benefit?

If your DIC benefit as a surviving spouse was terminated because you remarried, but the subsequent marriage has since ended due to death, divorce, or annulment, you may file to have your previous Survivor's benefit reinstated.  (Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Chapter 12) 

To do so, you will be asked to complete VA form 21-534EZ and submit it to your local VA Regional Office along with documentation supporting the claim that your subsequent marriage has ended (i.e., divorce decree or death certificate).   After doing so, call the Veterans Benefits Administration directly at 800-827-1000 to confirm that your materials have been received and to find out the status of your reinstatement.

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3.  If I remarried, is there an impact on my DIC eligibility?

If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if one of these describes you:

  • You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, OR
  • You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried.  

If neither of the two conditions listed above apply to you, then upon remarriage your DIC will be suspended.  However, you may reinstate your DIC in the event your subsequent marriage were to end due to death, divorce, or annulment.  

More information about DIC eligibility may be found here.

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4.  Is there someone that can help me file my claim?

Yes.  You have several options available.  You may seek assistance at your local VA regional office (locate your office by clicking here).

Additionally the veterans community has a strong tradition of assisting fellow service members and their families.  This service is exemplified in the work done by Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) and County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO) throughout the United States.  Many VSOs offer to surviving families’ benefits counseling and assistance with the application process, and often have local chapters located right in the community.

It is strongly recommended that surviving family members consult with the VSO of their choice when applying for VA Survivor Benefits.

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5.  How do I check the status of my claim?

The Veterans Benefits Administration operates a National Call Center that you may utilize to check on the status of your claim.  The NCC may be reached by calling 1-800-827-1000.

 

***Did you know that by calling the NCC you may also:

•Obtain tax documentation.
•Notify VBA of the death of a veteran or a benefit recipient.
•Request information on burial and mortuary benefits.
•Learn about benefits available to surviving family members.
•Much, much more.

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6.  How do I know if I am eligible for a benefit?

As you know, the men and women that serve our nation in the Armed Forces are a unique and diversified group of individuals.  So too are their families, and the circumstances they face.

Currently, the Veterans Benefits Administration has detailed the available benefits offered to surviving family members on the VBA website.  These programs may be viewed by following this link, and selecting what group you are inquiring about (Spouse, Parent, or Child).  Click here for more information.

After you have selected who you are inquiring about, you will see a listing of the available benefits as well as the eligibility criteria.  Simply review the criteria to determine if you or your family will be eligible for any particular benefit.

 

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7.  As survivor, am I eligible for my loved one's month of death compensation?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced immediate actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive the deceased veteran’s VA compensation or pension benefit for the month of the veteran’s death.  

This benefit is only payable to surviving spouses of veterans who were receiving VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of their death. 

Because VA does not always know if a veteran is survived by a spouse, some surviving spouses have not received the month-of-death benefit to which they are entitled. 

If you are a surviving spouse of a veteran who was receiving VA benefits at the time of death and believe you may be eligible for the month-of-death benefit, please click here and provide the information requested.  VA will determine your eligibility. 

When you reach the web page to ask your question, please select:

·          “Question” for the Type of Inquiry.

·           “Survivors Month of Death Benefit” for your Topic. 

 On the second page of the web form, please make sure to include:

·          Your full name, address and contact preference (e-mail, phone number, or US Mail),

·          And, the veteran’s

o         First and last name,

o         Social Security Number or VA claim number,

o         Veteran’s date of birth,

o         Branch of service,

o         Service number, if you have it, and,

o         Service dates, if possible.

 

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8.  What is the difference between DIC and SBP?

Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is an entitlement benefit paid to eligible survivors (Spouse, unmarried child) of certain deceased service members and veterans.  The DIC benefit is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is dispersed to surviving family members that meet specific criteria.  For further details, please visit : http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/dic.doc

 

The Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) is voluntary annuity program offered for purchase to service members as a retirement benefit for family members.  This program is managed by the Department of Defense (not the Department of Veterans Affairs).  As noted, participation in this program is voluntary and not all service members opt to participate.  To learn more about SBP, please visit: http://www.dfas.mil/rapay/rafaqs/sbpfaqs.html 

 

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9.  What is the difference between DIC and Survivor's Death Pension?

Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is an entitlement benefit paid to eligible survivors (Spouse, unmarried child) of certain deceased service members and veterans.  The DIC benefit is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is dispersed to surviving family members that meet specific criteria.  For further details, please visit : http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/dic.doc

Death Pension is a needs based financial benefit payable to the unremarried surviving spouse or unmarried child of a deceased wartime veteran.  As noted, eligibility for this benefit is based upon the financial need of the applicant.  To learn more about the Death Pension please follow this link: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/spousepen.htm 

 

For more information please call 800-827-1000.

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10.  Is DIC taxable income?

No, it is not.  Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is exempt, and is not considered to be taxable income.

For more information, please visit: www.IRS.gov

 

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11.  What is CHAMPVA?

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by Health Administration Center and our offices are located in Denver, Colorado.

To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE/CHAMPUS and you must be in one of these categories:

1.the spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office, or
2.the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service connected disability, or
3.the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was at the time death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service connected disability, or
4.the surviving spouse or child of a military member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, these family members are eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).


To learn more about CHAMPVA, please visit: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/champva/index.asp

 

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12.  As a surviving spouse, am I eligible for VA medical care?

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers CHAMPVA healthcare coverage to family members that meet specific eligibility criteria.  The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by Health Administration Center and our offices are located in Denver, Colorado.

Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program (sometimes referred to by its old name, CHAMPUS) the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program whereas TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases a veteran or survivor may look to be eligible for both/either program on paper. However, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary, you cannot choose between the two.

 

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13.  How do I update my contact information?

Simple! To update your contact information, just call the National Call Center at 800-827-1000.

 

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14.  What education benefits are available and what is the Sgt. Fry Scholarship?

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.   For more information, please visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov/post-911/other-programs/dea.html 

The Fry Scholarship offers additional education choices to the surviving children of military personnel that have been killed in action.  Marine Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry, 28, of Lorena, Texas, only had a week left in his Iraq tour in 2006 when he injured his hand. He was given the option of leaving Iraq after the injury and going home with a Bronze Star. He declined and volunteered to go on one last run to defuse bombs. After working seven more hours, Gunnery Sgt. Fry was killed March 8, 2006, by an improvised explosive device in Anbar province, Iraq. He left behind his widow and three small children.

Public Law 111-32, The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill to expand the benefit to children of fallen U.S. soldiers who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

 

 

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15.  How can I access information about VA Education Benefits for myself or for my children?

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers multiple education benefits for surviving family members of deceased veterans and service members.  For additional information regarding Education Benefits, please visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov/ 

 

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16.  What are VGLI/SGLI and how do I file a claim?

The Veterans Group Life Insurance & Service members Group Life Insurance (VGLI/SGLI) are life insurance products offered to veterans and active duty personnel.  Both programs are voluntary, and may be opted out of by the service member or veteran.  As such, not all surviving family members may file a claim on this benefit.

To learn more about these programs or file a claim, please visit : http://www.insurance.va.gov/miscellaneous/index.htm

 

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17.  How do I get a copy of my loved one’s DD-214 or DD-1300?

The DD-214 and DD-1300 are important service records for your loved one and are often required when applying for VA Survivor Benefits.  Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not maintain copies of these service records.

To obtain a copy of these records, you will need to contact the National Archives at : National Archives 

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18.  Who is eligible for Veteran Center grief counseling, and how can I locate a center?

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) offers bereavement counseling to parents, spouses, and children of Armed Forces personnel who died in the service of their country.  Also eligible are family members of reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on duty. 

To locate a VA Vet Center near you, please click here.

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19.  Am I eligible for a VA Home Loan as a widow/widower?

The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the VA home loan benefit.

In addition, a surviving spouse who obtained a VA home loan with the veteran prior to his or her death (regardless of the cause of death), may obtain a VA guaranteed interest rate reduction refinance loan.

To learn more, please visit: VA Home Loan Program 

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20.  How can I find information about homeless shelters within my community?

 

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans provides a listing of Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) that provide services to Veterans and Survivors.  Click here to find information about services in your community.

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21.  My question is not covered above, is there another source of information I can check?

Of course!  To search additional VA FAQ’s or ask your own question, please visit : Inquiry Routing Information System (IRIS) 

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