VA Survivor Benefits After a Veteran’s Death: What Every Family Needs to Know

Every year, roughly 6,000 veterans die by suicide. Thousands more die from overdoses, accidents, and service-connected illnesses. And in almost every case, the surviving family has no idea what they’re entitled to from the VA.

I’ve been in veterans’ homes after suicides and unattended deaths. The families are dealing with grief, often trauma, and a cleanup situation that requires professional help — all while the VA has benefits sitting there that nobody told them about. Some of these benefits are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Some are worth hundreds of thousands over a lifetime.

This guide covers every VA survivor benefit in plain language, tells you exactly how to file, and addresses the questions families are actually asking — including the ones nobody else will answer honestly.

The Big Myth: “The VA Won’t Pay If It Was Suicide”

This is wrong. The VA pays survivor benefits after a veteran’s suicide.

I put this at the top because it’s the single most damaging misconception families carry. Many surviving spouses don’t file for DIC because they believe suicide disqualifies them. It does not.

Here’s the reality: If the veteran’s death was caused by or related to a service-connected condition — and PTSD, traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorders related to service are all recognized service-connected conditions — then DIC, burial benefits, and all other survivor programs apply. The manner of death (suicide, overdose, accident) does not disqualify the claim. What matters is the cause — was it connected to their service?

For veterans who died by suicide related to PTSD or combat trauma, the connection is usually straightforward. If the veteran had an existing VA disability rating for a mental health condition, the case is even stronger.

Do not let this myth cost your family. File the claim. Let the VA make the determination. If denied, appeal — veteran service organizations (VSOs) will help you for free.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is the most significant VA survivor benefit. It’s a tax-free monthly payment to surviving spouses, dependent children, or dependent parents of veterans who died from service-connected causes.

Current DIC Rates (2025, adjusted annually)

Over a surviving spouse’s lifetime, DIC can total $300,000–$500,000+. This is money many families never claim because they don’t know it exists or believe the myth about suicide disqualification.

Who Qualifies for DIC

• Surviving spouse who was married to the veteran at the time of death and has not remarried (or remarried after age 55)
• Surviving children who are unmarried and under 18, under 23 and enrolled in school, or permanently disabled before age 18
• Surviving parents who are income-dependent (separate, lower rates)

How to Apply

1. Gather: veteran’s DD214 (discharge papers), marriage certificate, death certificate, and any VA medical records or disability rating decisions
2. Apply online at VA.gov/survivors/dic, by mail (VA Form 21-534EZ), or in person at a VA regional office
3. Processing time: typically 3–6 months
4. Benefits are retroactive to your application date — file as soon as possible, even if you don’t have every document yet

Pro tip: Contact a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) like the DAV, VFW, or American Legion. They have trained claims agents who will help you file for free. They know the system and dramatically improve approval rates.

VA Burial Benefits

The VA provides several burial-related benefits, and they’re available for all veterans with qualifying discharge — not just those with service-connected deaths.

What’s Available

Your funeral home should know this. Most funeral directors are familiar with VA burial benefits and can help you access them. If yours isn’t, find one who is — or call the VA directly. See our guide on choosing a funeral home for what to look for.

Survivors Pension

This is a separate, needs-based monthly benefit for low-income surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans. Unlike DIC, it does not require a service-connected death — it’s based on financial need.

Eligibility

• Veteran served during a VA-recognized wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War/post-9/11)
• Veteran had qualifying discharge
• Survivor’s income and net worth are below VA limits (these limits change annually; unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce your countable income)

Maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a surviving spouse: approximately $10,000–$16,000/year depending on circumstances, with additional amounts for dependents and aid & attendance needs.

Important: You can receive either DIC or Survivors Pension, not both. DIC is usually higher. But if you don’t qualify for DIC (the death wasn’t service-connected), the pension may still be available.

Health Care: CHAMPVA

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) provides health insurance to eligible survivors who don’t qualify for TRICARE.

Who Qualifies

• Spouse or child of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition
• Spouse or child of a veteran who was permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition at the time of death
• Must not be eligible for TRICARE

CHAMPVA covers most medical services: doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health care, preventive care. It works similarly to other health insurance — you pay a small cost-share and the VA covers the rest. There are no premiums.

This matters enormously for surviving spouses who were dependent on the veteran’s health insurance. Many families lose their coverage the same month they lose their loved one. CHAMPVA fills that gap.

Education Benefits for Survivors

Two programs provide education assistance to surviving dependents:

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)

• Monthly stipend for up to 36 months of education
• Available to spouses and children of veterans who died from service-connected causes or had permanent total disability ratings
• Covers degree programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and some certification programs

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

• Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/10/2001
• Covers full tuition and fees at public schools, housing allowance, and book stipend
• Up to 36 months of benefits

These education benefits can be worth $50,000–$150,000+ depending on the school and program. If you have children, file for these immediately — there are age and time limits on eligibility.

Life Insurance: SGLI and VGLI

Most active-duty service members have Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), which provides up to $500,000 in coverage. Veterans who separated may have converted to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI).

SGLI/VGLI pays for suicide. There is no suicide exclusion in SGLI or VGLI. The full death benefit is payable regardless of the manner of death.

If you’re not sure whether your veteran had SGLI or VGLI: Contact the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at 1-800-419-1473. They can confirm coverage and help you file a claim.

SGLI claims are typically processed and paid within 5–10 business days after the claim is received with all required documents. This is one of the fastest payouts available after a death.

The Cleanup Reality Nobody Talks About

Here is where our experience comes in. Many veteran deaths — particularly suicides and unattended deaths — leave a scene that requires professional biohazard remediation. And most families navigating this situation are doing it while simultaneously trying to figure out VA benefits, funeral arrangements, and their own grief.

If the Scene Requires Cleanup

Do not attempt to clean it yourself. This applies whether it was a suicide, overdose, unattended death, or any situation involving biological material. The scene is a biohazard that requires specialized training, equipment, and disposal protocols. See our complete guide on what to expect from the cleanup process.

Does insurance cover the cleanup? Usually yes. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance typically covers biohazard remediation after a death in the home. Call your insurance company, get a claim number, and hire a certified company. We have a detailed guide on insurance coverage for biohazard cleanup.

Can the VA help with cleanup costs? The VA burial allowance can be applied toward funeral and burial-related expenses, but it does not specifically cover biohazard remediation of a home. However, the financial relief from DIC and other benefits can free up resources for necessary cleanup expenses.

Typical costs: Biohazard cleanup after a death ranges from $1,500 to $10,000+ depending on the extent of contamination. If firearms were involved, costs tend to be on the higher end due to the scope of affected surfaces. Our cleanup cost breakdown has detailed pricing by scenario.

Find a vetted biohazard cleanup company in your area →

The First Week: A Timeline for Surviving Families

Here is the order of operations. It’s a lot. Take it one step at a time.

Day 1–2

• If you discover the scene: call 911, do not disturb anything, wait for law enforcement to clear the scene
• Get written documentation that the scene is released (you need this for insurance)
• Notify immediate family
• Contact a funeral home (most know VA burial benefits and can help you access them)
• Secure the property
• If biohazard cleanup is needed: call your insurance company, then call a certified cleanup company

Day 3–7

• Locate the DD214 — this is the veteran’s discharge document and you need it for almost every VA benefit. Check personal files, safety deposit boxes, or request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center at 314-801-0800
• Contact a VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion) — they assign a free claims agent to help you file for everything
• File for SGLI/VGLI if applicable — this is the fastest payout (5–10 days)
• Begin the death certificate process with your funeral home
• Notify the veteran’s employer if applicable

Week 2–4

• File for DIC — do this as early as possible, benefits are retroactive to application date
• Apply for burial benefits if you haven’t already
• Apply for CHAMPVA if you need health insurance
• Consult an estate attorney about probate and the veteran’s estate
• Begin addressing the estate: accounts, subscriptions, debts, property
• Look into education benefits for dependent children

Don’t try to do everything at once. The VA system is slow. Your VSO can help you prioritize what to file first. The most important thing is to get your DIC application submitted — the clock starts when you file.

Documents You’ll Need (Checklist)

Gather these as quickly as you can. If you’re missing any, your VSO or the VA can help you obtain copies.

• ☐ DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
• ☐ Death certificate (multiple certified copies — get at least 10)
• ☐ Marriage certificate
• ☐ Birth certificates for dependent children
• ☐ Veteran’s VA disability rating decision letter (if applicable)
• ☐ Medical records related to service-connected conditions
• ☐ SGLI/VGLI policy documents
• ☐ Social Security numbers (veteran’s and yours)
• ☐ Bank account information for direct deposit of benefits
• ☐ Veteran’s will or trust documents

Not sure where these documents are? Our guide on emergency documents every family needs can help you locate and organize what matters most.

Common Mistakes That Cost Families Money

1. Not filing for DIC after a suicide or overdose. The number one mistake. File the claim. The VA will make the determination — many are approved.
2. Waiting too long to apply. Benefits are retroactive to the application date, not the death date. Every month you wait is a month of benefits you don’t receive.
3. Not using a VSO. Filing alone leads to mistakes, missing documentation, and lower approval rates. VSOs are free and they do this every day.
4. Missing employer life insurance. If the veteran was employed, check for group life insurance, AD&D coverage, unpaid wages, and pension survivor benefits. These are separate from VA benefits.
5. Accepting the first denial. VA claims are frequently denied on the first attempt, especially for service connection. Appeals succeed regularly — a VSO or VA-accredited attorney can help.
6. Paying for funeral without applying for burial benefits. The burial allowance and national cemetery benefits can save families thousands of dollars.
7. Not ordering enough death certificates. Every institution (VA, insurance, banks, real estate) wants an original. Order at least 10 certified copies.

Grief After Losing a Veteran

Military families carry a specific weight. The deployment cycles, the reintegration, watching someone you love struggle with what they came home carrying. If the death was by suicide, the grief has layers that others don’t always understand.

The VA provides grief counseling through Vet Centers and the Veterans Crisis Line. These services extend to surviving family members, not just veterans. The Vet Center number is 1-877-927-8387.

Other resources:

• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) — taps.org — the gold standard for military loss peer support. 24/7 helpline: 1-800-959-TAPS
• Gold Star Wives of America — peer support for surviving military spouses
• Veterans Crisis Line — call 988 then press 1, or text 838255
• Our guide on grief counseling resources — how to find the right therapist

If you are a surviving spouse dealing with both practical aftermath and grief, you don’t have to do it alone. Organizations like TAPS pair you with someone who has been through exactly what you’re going through. That specific understanding makes a real difference.

Find a grief therapist experienced with military loss →

Key Phone Numbers and Resources

This guide is written from direct experience working with families after veteran deaths. It is not a substitute for official VA guidance, legal advice, or mental health care. For the most current benefit rates and eligibility, visit VA.gov or contact a Veterans Service Organization.