The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits and services for the surviving spouse, dependent children and dependent parents of deceased veterans and military servicemembers.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) -- DIC is a tax-free benefit for the surviving spouse and dependent children. A spouse's Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) annuity is reduced by any DIC amount received. Note:
A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.
VA also adds a transitional benefit of $250 to the surviving spouse's monthly DIC if there are children under age 18. The amount is based on a family unit, not individual children. It is paid for two years from the date that entitlement to DIC commences, but is discontinued earlier when there is no child under age 18 or no child on the surviving spouse's DIC for any reason. (More DIC information)
Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office and Insurance Center
P.O. Box 8079
Philadelphia, PA 19101
FAX number: (215) 381-3084.
Parents' DIC -- Parents' DIC is a monthly benefit amount for the decedent's parents. It is based on income.
(More information)
To apply for Parents DIC:
Download and complete a PDF version of
VA Form 21-535 and mail to the
VA regional office that serves the area where you reside.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) -- Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance provides payment of a monthly education or training allowance to the spouse and children of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability. Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of benefits. Professional, educational and vocational counseling will be provided to eligible children and surviving spouses without charge upon request. (More information)
To apply for DEA:
Download and complete a PDF version of
VA Form 22-5490. Follow the instructions on the form for more information on how to file the application for DEA benefits.
Work-Study Employment -- This program is available to eligible survivors while pursuing a program of education or training under Dependent's Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).
(More information)
To apply for Work Study Employment:
Download and complete a PDF version of
VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance. Follow the instructions on the form for more information on how to file the application for Work Study benefits.
Home Loan Guaranty -- The surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or as the result of a service-connected disability may be eligible for a guaranteed loan from a private lender. The loan may be used to purchase, construct or improve a home; to purchase a manufactured home and/or lot; or to refinance existing mortgages or other liens of record on a dwelling owned and occupied by the surviving spouse as his or her home. (More information)
. There is no time limit to use this benefit.
Burial Benefits (Headstones, Markers Presidential Memorial Certificates)
Headstones and Grave Markers VA provides headstones and grave markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and of eligible dependents who are buried in military post, state veteran or national cemeteries. Niche markers also are available for identifying cremated remains in columbaria and memorial markers if the remains are not available for burial.
Presidential Memorial Certificate A certificate bearing the President's signature is issued to recognize the service of deceased veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions. Eligible recipients include next of kin or other loved ones. A certificate can be issued to more than one eligible recipient. VA regional offices can help you in applying for certificates.
More instructions and application information may be found by clicking on either of the two topics above.
Life Insurance Settlement -- Information on where and how to file for Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) proceeds may be found at VA's Insurance Center Web site. You may also contact the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance by phone at 1-800-419-1473, by email at osgli.claims@prudential.com, or by mail at: Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
80 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, New Jersey 07068-1733
Financial Counseling services are available at no cost to SGLI Insurance beneficiaries. This service provides a one-on-one counseling session, a detailed step-by-step financial plan, and access to financial counselors for one year. For additional information, call 1-888-243-7351.
Vet Center Bereavement Counseling -- Bereavement Counseling
is now being offered 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 find out more about Bereavement Services click here.
A new tri-fold brochure is now available for you to read or download. It is in a Power Point format but prints out nicely on two standard 8 1/2" by 11" sheets of paper. This is a 972 kb file.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Services -- VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to survivors and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs. These services are designed to help an individual choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen goal.
There are many veterans service organizations that offer assistance as well as other Federal and private organizations. For information on these organizations, refer to your telephone directory, contact your VA regional office, or visit the VA web site. Here is a list of the contacts available:
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) www.taps.org
(800) 959-8277
Questions about or problems using this web site may be referred to the Webmaster, Veterans Benefits Administration. Please do not use this e-mail for benefits questions. You should use the Contact VA web messaging form for that purpose.
Thank you.
This page has been accessed times since July 19, 2005.
