Survivor Benefits Checklist Builder
Build a personalized checklist of VA survivor benefits that may apply to your family — and the documents typically needed to apply.
Survivor Benefits Checklist Builder
Get oriented. You don't have to do everything today.
Answer a few simple questions to see which VA survivor benefit "buckets" may apply to you and what documents are commonly helpful.
What This Tool Does
This tool helps you:
- See which VA survivor benefit "buckets" may apply
- Understand what documents are commonly helpful
- Get a personalized starting point
What This Tool Does Not Do
This tool:
- Does not determine eligibility
- Does not submit anything to the VA
- Does not give legal advice
Free • No account required • Private
Survivor benefits questions, answered
What surviving spouses and families ask after a loss.
Surviving spouses may qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, a one-time death payment, VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if the death was service-connected, life insurance proceeds, pension survivor benefits, and state-level help. The right mix depends on your spouse's work history, military service, and the cause of death.
A surviving spouse can receive between 71.5% and 100% of the deceased's Social Security benefit, depending on age and circumstances. Widows and widowers can claim reduced benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled. Caring for the deceased's child under 16 also unlocks earlier benefits.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, children, or parents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition. The 2025 base rate is over $1,600 a month for a spouse, with extra amounts for children and certain situations.
You generally need the death certificate, your marriage certificate, birth certificates for any dependent children, the deceased's Social Security number, military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable, and recent tax returns. Gathering these in one folder before applying makes every other step much faster.
As soon as you can. Social Security survivor benefits and VA DIC are not retroactive past the month you apply in most cases. Waiting even a few months can cost thousands of dollars. Many of these applications can be started by phone within days of the death.