A roadmap for surviving spouses and caregivers

1. First steps after the loss

1. 1. Report the death to VA

   Call VA at 800-827-1000 to report the death. They stop future payments and tell you what to apply for. You will need the veteran's Social Security number and a copy of the death certificate.

2. 2. Get copies of the death certificate

   Order several certified copies from the funeral home or your state's vital records office — banks, VA and others each ask for one.

3. 3. Gather the veteran's papers

   DD-214 or proof of service, marriage certificate, and children's birth certificates. These prove who qualifies for survivor benefits.

4. 4. Ask about burial and memorial benefits

   VA can help pay for burial costs, a headstone or marker, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

   Open official page

2. Monthly money benefits

DIC and Survivors Pension are monthly payments that belong to you. You do not pay taxes on them, and no one can charge you a fee to apply — an accredited Veterans Service Officer helps for free.

• DIC — monthly tax-free paymentsSave

  Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: monthly payments for surviving spouses, and in some cases children or parents, when a veteran died from a service-related condition or was totally disabled.
• Survivors PensionSave

  A monthly payment for low-income surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans.
• One final payment checkSave

  The month of death payment — the veteran's last monthly benefit payment is not kept by VA.
• Burial & memorial benefitsSave

  Burial allowance, government headstone or marker, burial flag and memorial certificate.

3. Health care, education and your own well-being

Caring for a veteran — or carrying on after one — takes a toll. These benefits cover your health insurance, your family's education, and give you an actual break.

• CHAMPVA health coverageSave

  Health insurance for surviving spouses and children who are not eligible for TRICARE. It helps pay for doctor visits, hospital care and prescriptions.
• Education benefits for familySave

  Free college money for spouses and children — DEA (Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship.
• Respite care — a break for caregiversSave

  VA pays for someone to care for your loved one for a few hours or days so you can rest, run errands or see your own doctor.
• VA Caregiver Support LineSave

  Free, confidential help for caregivers: peer support, training and someone to talk to. Call 855-260-3274, Monday–Saturday.

  Call 855-260-3274
• All VA survivor benefits in one placeSave

  Start here to see every benefit VA offers to survivors, in plain language.

Watch out for survivor-benefit scams

• It is free to apply for every benefit on this page. Never pay anyone to file for DIC or a pension.
• VA will never call and demand a fee, gift card or your bank details to "release" a payment.
• Never share your VA.gov or ID.me password with anyone.
• Only VA-accredited representatives may charge for help after an initial claim — check them on the VA's accreditation search.