If a Veteran dies before benefits are approved, is the spouse eligible for any benefits?

Yes, a surviving spouse is entitled to accrued benefits. Submit form 21-601; also submit form 21-534.  If applying for the accrued benefits only, the spouse is not required to complete any of the financial information on the 534. However, she must complete the personal information. In the remarks section state, “applying for accrued benefits only.”

If the surviving spouse is also applying for her own VA benefits, you need to complete and submit the entire 21-534.

The surviving spouse must apply for the accrued benefits (and her own) within one year of her spouse’s death.

Also, the surviving spouse is entitled to be reimbursed for burial benefits ($300 for plot and $300 for burial) and apply for a presidential memorial certificate. The form to use is 21-530.

To increase your monthly income, please contact us about a FREE HANDBOOK about VA Benefits, written by David Wingate, an accredited VA Attorney, of Senior Life Care Planning, LLC, go to info@seniorlcp.com or if you require additional information about VA Benefits, visit our Senior LCP's Website.

We also have a Blog on Elder Issues and Veteran's Benefits.

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