While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assists veterans, service members and their families plan and pay for burials in a national cemetery.
Learn more about VA Burial and Memorial Benefits on the federal website here.
Each person who is eligible for VA burial benefits will qualify for:
As part of the burial planning, you can request memorial items and military funeral honors. However, these benefits have additional eligibility requirements. Click here to find more about memorial items.
Burial allowances vary depending on the date of the death of the veteran.
For service-connected veteran deaths that occurred on September 11th or after, families will receive a maximum allowance of $2,000. If the death occurs before that date, the Veteran’s family will receive a maximum allowance of $1,500.
Date of death |
Maximum burial allowance |
|---|---|
On or after October 1st, 2018. |
$300 allowance and $780 for plot. |
October 1st, 2017 – September 31st, 2018 |
$300 allowance and $762 for plot. |
October 1st, 2016 – September 31st, 2017 |
$300 allowance and $749 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2015 – September 31st, 2016 |
$300 allowance and $747 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2014 – September 31st, 2015 |
$300 allowance and $745 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2013 – September 31st, 2014 |
$300 allowance and $734 for the plot. |
Date of death |
Maximum burial allowance |
|---|---|
On or after October 1st, 2019. |
$796 allowance and $796 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2017 – September 31st, 2019 |
$762 allowance and $762 for the plot. |
On or after October 1st, 2018. |
$780 allowance and $780 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2017 – September 31st, 2018 |
$762 allowance and $762 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2016 – September 31st, 2017 |
$749 allowance and $749 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2015 – September 31st, 2016 |
$747 allowance and $747 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2014 – September 31st, 2015 |
$745 allowance and $745 for the plot. |
October 1st, 2013 – September 31st, 2014 |
$734 allowance and $734 for the plot. |
Learn more about VA burial allowances here.
The following may be buried in a VA national cemetery and qualify for benefits:
Discover more about VA Burial and Memorial Benefits eligibility here including information on specific groups and those who are ineligible.
If you wish to apply for VA Burial and Memorial Benefits, you will need to complete the following three steps:
Check out the documents needed with your application here.
To apply online, click here and log into your account.
To apply by mail, fill out the Application for Burial Benefits here and send it to your nearest VA regional office. Find your closest VA location here.
Offices may be closed due to COVID-19, but you can still work with an accredited representative over the phone or through the online customer service tool. Click here to learn more about getting help with your claim.
If you have any questions about the application process or need help with your application, call VA Benefits and Services Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET:
You can check your claim status online by logging into your account here. To check your status online, you will need to sign into one of the following existing accounts:
You can contact the VA regional office where you sent your application if you applied by mail. Find VA office location and contact information here.
You can also call the VA’s toll-free hotline at (800) 827-1000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET.
Once the VA determines you are eligible for benefits, you will receive a payment monthly. If you requested direct deposit, your monthly pension payment will go into the account that you provided on the application. The VA will mail you a paper check if you did not request direct deposit.
Check here for more about managing your pension benefits.
You may need to notify the VA of personal or medical changes, such as:
You can update your profile information online by signing into your existing DS Logon, My HealtheVet or ID.me account here.
To update your information by phone, call (800) 827-1000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET.
You can also contact or visit your local VA facility in person as well as mail the Request for Change of Address/Cancellation of Direct Deposit here. Find VA office locations here.
If your benefits claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You have the following three appeal options: file a supplemental claim, request a higher-level review or file a board appeal.
To file a supplemental claim and present new evidence that supports your case, or request a higher-level review from a senior officer, you can fill out the application here and submit it in person at a local VA office. Find the nearest VA health care facility location here.
To file either a supplemental claim or request a higher-level review, you can send the application by mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
The higher-level review form can be found here. Higher-level reviews can also be requested by fax to (844) 531-7818.
Board appeals can be requested in three different ways:
Click here for more information about what to do after you request an appeal.
Find VA locations and contact information here.
If you need help or have questions about VA Burial and Memorial Benefits, call the following numbers Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET:
You can also call your nearby VA office. Find VA office locations and contact information here.
To ask questions online, click here for the Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS).
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research U.S. Veteran Affairs programs and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free Veteran Affairs Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for VA benefits, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
