{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"HowTo","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-survivor-claim.json#howto","name":"How to file VA survivor benefit claims (DIC, Survivors Pension, Burial)","description":"Step-by-step guide for surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents to file VA survivor benefit claims. 5 steps using VA Form 21P-534EZ (DIC) + VA Form 21P-530EZ (burial). Covers DIC, Survivors Pension, DEA Chapter 35, CHAMPVA, accrued benefits.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-survivor-claim.json","mainEntityOfPage":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-survivor-claim.json","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"totalTime":"P30D","yield":"Filed survivor claims with VA","estimatedCost":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":"0"},"tool":[{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and Accrued Benefits)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Veteran's death certificate (certified copy)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Veteran's DD-214"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Marriage certificate (spouse) / birth certificates (children)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Free CVSO/VFW/Legion/DAV representative"}],"step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","position":1,"name":"Step 1: Determine which benefits you may qualify for","text":"DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation): tax-free monthly payment if veteran died from service-connected condition OR was rated 100% (or TDIU) for 10+ years before non-service-connected death. Base 2025 rate: $1,653.07/mo for surviving spouse. Survivors Pension: needs-based monthly payment for low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans. DEA Chapter 35: education benefits for surviving spouses + children. CHAMPVA: healthcare for surviving spouses + children of deceased service-connected disabled veterans. See /api/v1/eligibility.json#dic-survivors."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":2,"name":"Step 2: Gather required documentation","text":"Required: certified veteran's death certificate, veteran's DD-214 (long-form), your marriage certificate (if filing as spouse), children's birth certificates (if filing for children), proof of school enrollment (if claiming for child 18-23). Helpful: veteran's VA disability rating decisions, last Form 990 / financial disclosures, prior VA claim file."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":3,"name":"Step 3: Get free help from a CVSO or accredited representative","text":"Survivor claims have higher complexity and stricter deadlines than standard disability claims. CVSOs / VFW / American Legion / DAV reps file survivor claims daily and have higher grant rates than self-filed claims. Free. Find your nearest at warriorsfund.org/find-cvso. They will help organize evidence and file all applicable forms.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/find-cvso"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":4,"name":"Step 4: File VA Form 21P-534EZ (DIC + survivors pension + accrued benefits)","text":"File online at va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/. This SINGLE form claims DIC, Survivors Pension, and Accrued Benefits simultaneously — VA will determine which you qualify for based on the application. File within 1 year of veteran's death to receive retroactive benefits to the date of death.","url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":5,"name":"Step 5: Also file burial benefits + DEA + CHAMPVA as applicable","text":"Burial benefits: file VA Form 21P-530EZ within 2 years of death (see /api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json). DEA Chapter 35 education: file VA Form 22-5490 once survivor decides to use education benefit. CHAMPVA healthcare: file VA Form 10-10D at chvalink@va.gov or by mail to VHA Chief Business Office. Each is a separate application with its own form."}],"tip":[{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"File DIC within 1 year of death to capture retroactive benefits to date of death. Filing later means benefits start the date you filed."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"DIC is NOT means-tested — even high-income surviving spouses qualify if the veteran's death was service-connected or the veteran was rated 100%/TDIU for 10+ years."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"CHAMPVA covers surviving spouses + children for life (until remarriage in some cases). Worth filing even if you have other healthcare."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"In crisis: 988 + Press 1 — Veterans Crisis Line is also available to surviving family members of veterans."}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-survivor-claim.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","cross_references":{"dic_official":"https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/","eligibility_jsonld":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json","burial_benefits_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json","find_cvso_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/find-cvso.json","va_form_21p_534ez":"https://warriorsfund.org/form/21p-534ez"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:50:23.904Z"}