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For veterans and their families

What veterans are actually entitled to.

Most veteran benefits go unclaimed. The VA does not call you. Your family has to apply. Here is the complete list of what you (or your veteran parent or spouse) qualify for, with how to apply for each.

01

Burial benefits at a national cemetery (free)

Eligible veterans receive free burial at any of 155+ VA national cemeteries. Includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, government headstone or marker, burial flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate.

  • Eligibility: served on active duty (other than training), other than dishonorable discharge.
  • Spouses and dependent children may also be buried in a national cemetery alongside the veteran.
  • No fee. No reservation needed (cemetery determines availability at time of need).
  • How to apply: VA Form 40-10007 plus a copy of DD-214 (discharge document). Funeral home can submit on family's behalf.
  • If choosing a private cemetery, the VA pays a plot allowance for eligible veterans (currently up to $948).
02

VA burial allowance

Cash payment toward burial and funeral expenses. Amount depends on whether the death was service-connected.

  • Service-connected death: up to $2,000 burial allowance.
  • Non-service-connected death (hospitalized at time of death): up to $948 burial plus $948 plot allowance for non-national cemetery burial.
  • Non-service-connected death (not hospitalized): smaller amount, varies year to year.
  • Apply via VA Form 21P-530EZ within 2 years of death.
  • Direct deposit to whoever paid the funeral expenses (usually the family).
03

Government headstone or marker (free)

Provided to all eligible veterans regardless of where they are buried. Most families do not claim this and pay for a private headstone instead.

  • Inscription: name, service branch, dates of birth and death, awards.
  • Choice of upright marble headstone, flat granite or marble marker, niche marker for cremation.
  • Apply via VA Form 40-1330. Allow 8-12 weeks for delivery.
  • If buried in a private cemetery, VA pays for the headstone. Family or cemetery pays for setting.
04

Burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate

Free for all eligible veterans. The flag drapes the casket or is presented to the family. The certificate is signed by the current President.

  • Burial flag is requested via VA Form 27-2008. Funeral home obtains and presents to family.
  • PMC is requested via VA Form 40-0247. Mailed to family. Multiple copies allowed (one per child, sibling, etc).
  • Both are free. No service-connection requirement beyond honorable discharge.
05

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses

Tax-free monthly payment to surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died from service-connected conditions or were rated 100 percent permanent and total disabled for 10+ years.

  • Spouse base rate: roughly $1,612 per month in 2025 (adjusted annually).
  • Additional amounts for dependent children, aid and attendance, housebound status.
  • Apply via VA Form 21P-534EZ.
  • DIC is not subject to federal income tax.
  • If the veteran died of service-connected causes, surviving spouse may also qualify for free CHAMPVA health insurance.
06

Survivor's Pension (low-income survivors)

Income-based monthly benefit for surviving spouses and unmarried children of wartime veterans whose deaths were not service-connected.

  • Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with one day during wartime period.
  • Surviving spouse must be unmarried and meet income/asset thresholds.
  • 2025 maximum benefit roughly $11,830 per year for spouse without dependents.
  • Aid and Attendance increases this if survivor needs assistance with daily activities.
  • Apply via VA Form 21P-534EZ (same as DIC; VA determines eligibility for both).
07

Other often-missed benefits

These rarely make it into general veteran benefit overviews but matter to many families.

  • Free copies of military records (DD-214) via the National Archives at archives.gov.
  • Veterans benefits do not lapse. If the veteran died years ago without claiming, surviving spouse may still qualify retroactively.
  • Some states add additional benefits: property tax exemptions for surviving spouses, state-cemetery burial, state veteran homes.
  • The American Legion, VFW, DAV, and similar organizations provide free claim assistance.
  • VA-Accredited claims agents can also assist (some charge fees, others free).

Founding 10,000 Members

The Veteran Family Workbook is free for founding members.

Form numbers, application checklists, state-specific benefits, claim-letter templates.

No credit card. No spam. Founding member status preserved for life.

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