If you’re looking into VA burial benefits, it’s important to understand who qualifies and what’s covered. These benefits, often called Veterans Burial Allowances, help families with burial, funeral, and transportation costs. Here’s a breakdown of who is eligible and how you can apply.
To be eligible, you must have paid for the burial or funeral costs, and no other organization (such as a government agency or the veteran’s employer) should be reimbursing you. Additionally, the following criteria must be met:
1. Your relationship to the Veteran:
- You’re the veteran’s surviving spouse (including same-sex marriages).
- You’re the surviving partner from a legal union or the surviving child.
- You’re a parent, executor, or administrator of the veteran’s estate.
2. The Veteran’s discharge and circumstances of death:
- The veteran was not dishonorably discharged.
- They either died from a service-connected disability or while receiving care from a VA or VA-contracted facility.
- Other qualifying scenarios include dying while traveling for VA-authorized care or having an active VA pension or compensation claim at the time of death.
What benefits are offered?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may receive:
- Burial Allowance: Covers burial and funeral costs.
- Plot Allowance: Helps with costs related to the gravesite or interment.
- Transportation Reimbursement: Covers costs for transporting the veteran’s remains to their final resting place.
It’s worth noting that these benefits apply to all legal burial types, including cremation and burial at sea. Additionally, if the veteran’s remains are donated to a medical school, VA benefits can still apply.
Filing deadlines
For non-service-connected deaths, you must file a claim within two years after the veteran’s burial. However, there’s no time limit if the death was service-connected or occurred while under VA care.
How to apply
Surviving spouses don’t need to file a claim, as the VA automatically processes payments upon receiving notice of the veteran’s death. Others can apply:
- Online: Submit the application through the VA’s website.
- By Mail: Fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ and mail it to the **VA Pension Intake Center** in Janesville, WI.
For additional support, call 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. ET. By meeting the requirements and following the application process, you can ensure your loved one is honored appropriately while easing the financial burden of their final arrangements.