Survivor Benefits Beyond DIC

The VA offers burial allowances that can help with funeral and burial costs, particularly when the death is service connected. Eligible veterans may also be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost to the family, with a headstone or marker provided. Families can request a burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Some of these benefits have time limits for applying. Funeral homes are often familiar with VA burial benefits and can help families gather the paperwork, but keep your own copies of everything submitted.

The survivors pension is an income-based benefit for certain surviving spouses and unmarried children of wartime veterans who have limited income and assets. It is separate from DIC, and the rules differ, so a family may qualify for one but not the other, and generally cannot receive both at the same time. Some survivors may also qualify for health care coverage through VA programs designed for families of veterans with permanent and total disabilities or service-connected deaths. Eligibility for these programs depends on specific criteria, so ask a service officer to review the family's full situation.

Children and surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions may qualify for VA education benefits that help pay for college, vocational training, apprenticeships or certain other programs. These benefits have eligibility periods and application steps, and the rules differ for spouses and children. Families should look into them early, especially if children are approaching high school graduation, so that planning for school does not happen at the last minute. A school's financial aid or veterans services office can usually explain how the VA benefit works alongside other grants, scholarships and financial aid.

1. 1

   Ask the funeral home to help file for VA burial benefits and keep copies.

2. 2

   Apply for DIC and ask a service officer whether survivors pension also applies.

3. 3

   Check whether survivors qualify for VA family health care programs.

4. 4

   Look into education benefits for children and spouses before enrollment deadlines.