Veterans Administration and Social Security
Additionally, certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:
- A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled); -A widow or widower any age caring for the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled; -An unmarried child of the deceased who is: (bullets below) -Younger than the age 18 (or up to age 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or -Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22; -A stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, or adopted child under certain circumstances; -Parents age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at leas a half of their support; and - A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
Time limit for filing a claim
A claim for non-service-connected burial allowance must be filed with VA within 2 years after the date of the Veteran's permanent burial or cremation. If a veteran's discharge was corrected after death to "Under Conditions Other Than Dishonorable," the claim must be filed within 2 years after the date of the correction, There is no time limit for the service connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, VA hospitalization death burial allowance, or reimbursement of transportation expenses.
Form DD-214
Active Duty Discharge
Who is eligible for a headstone/marker?
Any deceased Veteran discharged under honorable conditions and any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty. A deceased Veteran discharged under conditions other than honorable may also be eligible. A copy of the deceased Veteran's discharge certificate (DD Form 214 or equivalent) or a copy of other official document(s) establishing qualifying military service must be attached to the application.
VA Form 27-2008
Application For US Flag For Burial Purposes
Social Security benefits are on what basis?
Benefits for a month are received the following month.
VA Form 40-1330
Claim For Standard Government Headstone Or Marker
Who can apply for a headstone/ marker?
Federal regulation defines "applicant" as the deceased Next-of-Kin (NOK); a person authorized in writing by the NOK; or a personal representative authorized in writing by the decedent. Written authorization must be included with the claim. A notarized statement is not required. It is important to note that the VA DOES NOT impose a time limit to file a marker claim.
Statement of Death by Funeral Director
Form SSA-721
Who is eligible for a burial flag?
Generally, veterans with an other than dishonorable discharge. Note: This includes veterans who served in the Philippine military forces while such forces were in the service of the U.S. armed forces under the President's Order of July 26, 1941 and died on or after April 25, 1951, and veterans who served in the Philippine military services are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Who is Eligible for VA burial allowances?
If the burial benefit has not been automatically paid to the surviving spouse, VA will pay the first living person to file a claim of those listed Below: - The Veteran's surviving spouse, OR -The survivor of a legal union between the deceased Veteran and the survivor, OR -The veteran's children, regardless of age, OR -The Veteran's parents or surviving parent, OR -the Executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased veteran.
Presidential Memorial Certificate
This is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current president to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans. This certificate program was initiated in march 1962 by John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent presidents. More than one certificate can be provided. As part of the application one must complete Va Form 40-0247.
Burial Flag
To apply for the burial flag complete the VA Form 27-2008
How much does the VA pay? -Service-related Death
VA will pay up to $2,000toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.
Headstone/Marker
The signature VA headstones and markers is another benefit available to most veterans. It is important funeral directors are aware of this option and offer this to all veterans families. Funeral professionals should always assist families with the application process. The application process includes completing VA Form 40-1330.
How much does the VA pay? Non-service-related Death
VA will pay up to $747 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2015 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $747 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery)
How can you apply?
You can apply by completing VA Form 21P-530, Application for Burial Benefits. You should attach a copy of the Veteran's military discharge document (DD Form 214 or equivalent) and a death certificate.
The Veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
-The Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability, OR -The Veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, OR -The Veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided to receive his or her full military retirement or disability pay, OR -The Veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under BA contract at a non-VA facility, Or -The veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to, or from, a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, OR -The Veteran had an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death and would have been entitled to benefits from a date prior to the date of death, OR - The Veteran died on, or after, October 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.
Who is eligible to RECEIVE a burial flag?
Only one flag may be issued for each deceased veteran. Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake after its use during the funeral service. The flag is given to the following Person(s) in order of precedence listed: surviving spouse, children (according to age), parents (including adoptive, stepparents, and foster parents), brothers or sisters (including brothers and sisters of half-blood), uncles or aunts, nephews or nieces, others such as cousins or grandparents. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making a request for it. If there is no living relative or one cannot be located, and no friend request the flag, it must be returned to the nearest VA facility.
VA Form 40-0247
Presidential Memorial Certificate Application.
What documentation is required in order to receive a burial flag?
Provide a copy of veteran's discharge documents that show service dates and the character of service, such as DD For 214, or verification of service from the veteran's service department or VA. Various information requested, is considered essential to the proper processing of the application. Ensure these areas of the application are completed as fully possible.
How much does Social Security pay and to whom?
Social Security will only pay a one-time payment of $255 to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased. If living apart and getting certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record, the surviving spouse may still be able to get this one-time payment. If there's no surviving spouse, a child who's eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death can get this payment. To secure this one-time lump-sum payment the survivor must complete Social Security Form SSA-8. It is also important that funeral service professionals are aware that social security benefits are payable to a person only if he or she is alive for the complete month.
Form SSA-721
Statement Of Death By Funeral Director.
Transportation and delivery of marker
The headstone or marker is shipped without charge to the consignee designated on the claim. The delivery will not be made to a Post Office Box. The consignee should be a business with the full delivery address and telephone number. If the consignee is not a business explain fully on the claim. For delivery to a Rural Route address. you must include a daytime telephone number including area code. If you fail to include the required address and telephone number info; the marker cannot be delivered. the government is not responsible for cost to install the headstone or marker in private cemeteries.
Funeral Honors: who is eligible?
-Military members who died while on active duty or in the Selected Reserve -Former military members who served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions -Former military members who completed at leas one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions -Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Certain Civilian or Contractual Groups who have been given Active Duty Service Determinations are eligible as well as National Guard Members.
Service Documentation (Discharge Paperwork)
DD Form 214 if not available, any discharge document showing honorable service can be used.
Social Security is only payable to a person if?
only if he or she is alive for the complete month.
