Eligibility

The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1 ½ years to 10 years, depending on his or her age at death.

Who May Receive Benefits

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 18 or disabled.
• A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years, or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled.
• Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time).
• Children who are disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled.
• Dependent parent or parents 62 or older.

Lump-Sum Death Payment

  A one time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above.  The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order:

1.      A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death.
2.      A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death.
3.      A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death.

Applying for Benefits

Social security is automatically notified of death at the time our office submits the death certificate.  This should automatically generate the Lump-sum Death Payment.  To receive other benefits listed above, or if you have not received your LSDP within 60 days, you will need to contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.  To speak with a representative, call between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on regular business days.  At other times, and on weekends and holidays, you may leave a message and they will call you back, in most cases the next business day.

You may use the toll free number to make an appointment either in a Social Security office or telephone to apply for benefits, transact other Social Security Business, or just ask questions.

Who Is Eligible

To be eligible, you must be a veteran discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, and have completed the required period of service.  U.S. Armed Forces members who die on active duty are also eligible, as are spouses and dependent children of eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and deceased armed forces members.  Contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000 for more information.

Financial Benefits

Veterans benefits are not paid automatically.  It is your responsibility to contact the Veterans Administration. Our office can help you get started.  To ensure prompt handling of your claim, have the following information ready:

• Social Security number for yourself and your dependent children
• Certified copy of original DD214 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation)
• Certified copy of Death Certificate
• Verification of the life insurance amount you will receive as a result of the veterans death
• Paid receipts for hospital and doctor bills incurred by last illness, if applicable
• Paid receipts for funeral and cemetery expense
• If either yourself or the veteran was previously married, provide a certified copy of the original divorce decree or death certificate proving the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce or death
• If there are dependent children, you will need an original birth certificate for each child under 18 or over 18 if a full-time student
• If over 18 and still in school, you will need to fill out VA Form 21-674
• If you or the veteran receive Social Security Benefits, the exact amount must be reported
• If you already have a VA claim number, you must furnish the claim number you have been assigned
• If you or the veteran receive additional income, the source and exact amount must be reported

Reimbursement for Burial Expenses

VA will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran’s death is service connected.  VA also will cover the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disable veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of a deceased that have available gravesites.  In such cases, the person who bore the veteran’s burial expenses may claim reimbursement from VA.  VA will also pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay.  Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing home with which VA is contracted.  Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be reimbursed.  There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected deaths.  In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.

VA will pay a $300 plot allowance when the veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. Government jurisdiction if the veteran is discharged from active duty because of a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, if the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been in receipt of compensation but for receipt of military retired pay, or if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA.  The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service.

If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials, the $300 plot allowance may be paid to the state.  Burial expenses paid by the deceased’s employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed.

Burial in National Cemeteries or VA Cemeteries

Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care.  Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the inurnment of cremated remains or special gravesites for burial of cremated remains.  Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government’s expense.

Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial in one of the VA’s 114 national cemeteries.  An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under honorable or general conditions and have completed the required period of service.  Persons entitled to retired pay as a result of 20 years creditable service with a reserve component are eligible.  A U.S. citizen who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in a war also may be eligible.

Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of armed forces members also may be buried in a national cemetery.  A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who married a non-veteran, and whose remarriage was terminated by death or divorce, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved.  Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death.  Reservations made under previous programs are honored.  The National Cemetery System normally does not conduct burials on weekends.  A weekend caller, however, will be directed to one of the three strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during the weekends to schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller’s choice during the following week.

Burial Flags                                                                               

VA provides an American Flag to drape the casket of a veteran and to a person entitled to retired military pay.  After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate.  VA will also issue a flag on behalf of a service member who is missing in action and later presumed dead.  Flags are issued at VA regional offices, national cemeteries, and post offices. Our office will take care of having the flag available for your loved ones funeral service.


 

Headstones and Markers

VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.

Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble types are available to mark the grave in a style consistent with the place of burial.  Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service.  Optional items that also may be inscribed at VA expense are: military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II; months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one’s beliefs; valor awards; and the Purple Heart.  Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.

Our office can assist you in applying for your government headstone or marker.

Presidential Memorial Certificates

Sample Presidential Memorial Certificate

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation’s recognition of the veteran’s service.  The veteran’s name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President.  Our office can assist you in applying to receive the Presidential Memorial Certificate.

Additional Information

Veterans Administration
1240 East Ninth St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44199
440-526-3030
www.va.gov