If this is recent — start here
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) is the single most important call. Free 24/7 support, a national peer network, grief counseling, and they walk families through every form, benefit, and decision.
Call TAPS — 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Major survivor benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Tax-free monthly payment for surviving spouses, children, or parents of:
- A veteran whose death was service-connected
- A veteran rated 100% disabled for 10+ years before death (or 5 years if rated 100% from time of separation)
- A service member who died on active duty
Apply with VA Form 21P-534. Get free help from a VSO — DAV, VFW, American Legion all do this work.
Survivors Pension
For low-income surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased wartime veterans. Tax-free. Apply with VA Form 21P-534.
CHAMPVA
Healthcare for spouses and dependents of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled, or who died from a service-connected condition. CHAMPVA info.
Education benefits — Chapter 35 / DEA
Up to 36 months of education benefits for spouses and dependents of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or are 100% disabled. Apply for DEA.
Fry Scholarship
For children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/11/2001. Up to 36 months of full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Home loan eligibility
Surviving spouses can use the deceased veteran's VA home loan benefit (without the funding fee) in many cases.
Burial benefits
VA pays for burial in a national cemetery, headstone, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and (for some) a burial allowance. Burials & memorials.
SBP — Survivor Benefit Plan
Separate from VA. A military retiree pension annuity for surviving spouse. If your veteran was retired, contact DFAS: 1-800-321-1080.
Specific situations
Death by suicide
You qualify for the same benefits any other surviving family does. Suicide is not disqualifying for survivor benefits.
TAPS has a dedicated Suicide Loss program — peer support specifically from other suicide-loss families.
Death from PACT Act conditions
If your veteran died from cancer, respiratory illness, hypertension, or other PACT Act presumptive conditions and served in a covered location — DIC is presumed service-connected even if they never had a claim approved while alive. File anyway.
Camp Lejeune family deaths
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act covers family members exposed 1953-1987, not just service members. Separate from DIC.
Help filing
Don't try to navigate this alone. The VSOs that help vets file claims help families file survivor claims too — for free.
TAPS — first call
1-800-959-TAPS (8277). 24/7. Free. Decades of experience walking families through this exact moment.
Call TAPS →DAV — claims filing
Free DIC and survivor pension claim filing.
Find local office →VFW — claims service
Service officers experienced with survivor claims.
VFW help →Warriors Fund
Our parent organization — direct financial assistance during the transition.
Apply for help →