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    VA Survivor Benefits Checklist

    What VA help may my family get after a Veteran dies? Answer a few questions and get a checklist of benefits and documents.

    Free · No account needed · Private · About 5 minutes

    VA Survivor Benefits Checklist illustration

    How it works

    1. 1

      Answer a few questions

      Tell us about your relationship to the Veteran and their service.

    2. 2

      See what may apply

      We group the VA survivor benefits that may fit your family.

    3. 3

      Gather your documents

      Get a checklist of papers that are often needed, and check them off.

    What you get

    • VA survivor benefits that may apply to your family
    • A list of documents that are often needed
    • Calm next steps, one at a time
    • A checklist you can print or save

    What this tool does

    • • Shows the VA survivor benefit groups that may fit your situation
    • • Lists documents that are commonly helpful
    • • Lets you go at your own pace

    What this tool does not do

    • • Does not decide eligibility. Only the VA can do that
    • • Does not send anything to the VA
    • • Does not give legal advice

    What VA benefits may be available to survivors?

    When a Veteran dies, the VA may offer help to a surviving spouse, children and sometimes parents. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly payment that may be available when the death was related to service, and in some other cases.

    Other VA help can include a survivors pension for families with limited income, burial and memorial benefits, education benefits and health coverage through CHAMPVA.

    Common documents include the death certificate, the Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214), a marriage certificate and birth certificates for children. Applying soon matters, because some benefits may only be paid from the date you apply.

    Common questions

    The VA benefits a surviving spouse can get may include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a survivors pension, burial benefits, education help and health coverage through CHAMPVA. Which ones fit depends on the Veteran's service, the cause of death and your family's income.

    VA DIC, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, is a tax-free monthly payment for eligible surviving spouses, children and parents. It is generally for families of Veterans who died from a service-connected condition, or who were rated totally disabled for a set time before death.

    The VA survivors pension is a monthly payment for eligible surviving spouses and children of wartime Veterans who have limited income and assets. Unlike DIC, it does not require the death to be connected to service. Income and net worth limits apply.

    The documents you need to apply for VA survivor benefits often include the death certificate, the Veteran's DD-214 or other discharge papers, your marriage certificate, children's birth certificates and the Veteran's Social Security or VA file number. Your checklist shows which ones fit you.

    You should apply for VA survivor benefits as soon as you are able. If you apply within one year of the Veteran's death, DIC may be paid back to the first day of the month of death. Applying later may mean payments start from when you apply.

    Yes, children and parents can get VA survivor benefits in some cases. Unmarried children under 18, or up to 23 if in school, may qualify for DIC or pension. Parents with limited income may qualify for DIC for parents if the death was service-connected.

    No, this checklist does not send anything to the VA. It is a private planning tool that shows which benefits may apply and what papers to gather. You decide when and how to apply, and you can take it one step at a time.

    Keep going

    Free review

    Free VA Records Review (C-File)

    Free screener

    Benefit Eligibility Screener

    Guide

    Survivor Benefits Guide

    Guide

    Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

    Article

    Understanding VA Survivor Benefits: A Guide for Families

    Article

    New Help for VA Survivors: What Changed in 2025

    Article

    How to Apply for VA Survivors Pension in 2026

    Article

    VA Burial Benefits: Honoring Our Heroes

    Words to know

    Last reviewed September 26, 2026. For general information only, not legal or medical advice.

    Sources: VA: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation · VA: Survivor and dependent benefits

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