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The following information is designed to help you determine
what benefits may be available to you. If you have any questions
on how to apply, please contact our staff at 360-829-1171.
Eligibility
The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by
Social Security, ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending
on his or her age at death.
Who may receive monthly 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
16 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 were 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:
- A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as
the deceased person at the time of death.
- A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits
for the month of death.
- A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits
for the month of death.
Applying for benefits
You must apply in order to receive benefits. You may apply
at any Social Security office or, if you wish, you may apply
by telephone. Just dial the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213
and the operator will schedule an appointment for you or arrange
for the local Social Security office to take your claim by
telephone.
Social security teleservice - doing business
by telephone
You may call Social Security toll-free, 365 days a year,
24 hours a day. The number to use is 1-800-772-1213. To speak
with a representative, call between the hours of 7:00am and
7:00pm 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.
What Is A VA Burial Allowance ?
A VA burial allowance is a partial reimbursement of an eligible
veteran's burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death
is not service-related, the reimbursement is generally described
as two payments: (1) a burial and funeral expense allowance,
and (2) a plot interment allowance.
Who Is Eligible ?
You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:
- you paid for a veteran's burial or funeral AND
- you have not been reimbursed by another government agency
or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer
AND
- the veteran was discharged under conditions other than
dishonorable.
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must
be met:
- the veteran died because of a service-related 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 not to reduce his/her military retirement or
disability pay OR
- the veteran died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing
home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing
home.
How Much Does VA Pay?
Service-Related Death. VA will pay up to $1,500 toward burial
expenses for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. For deaths
on or after September 11, 2001, VA will pay $2,000. If the
veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of
the cost of moving the deceased may be reimbursed.
Nonservice-Related Death. VA will pay up to $300 toward
burial and funeral expenses, and a $150 plot interment allowance
for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance
is $300 for deaths on or after December 1, 2001. If the death
happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under contracted
nursing home care, some of all of the costs for transporting
the deceased’s remains may be reimbursed.
How Can You Apply?
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-530, Application
for Burial Allowance. You should attach proof of the veteran's
military service (DD 214), a death certificate, and copies
of funeral and burial bills you have paid.
Related Benefits
- Burial in VA National Cemeteries
- Headstones and Markers
- Presidential Memorial Certificates
- Burial Flags
For More Information Call Toll-Free 1-800-827-1000
Or Visit Our Web Site At http://www.cem.va.gov
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