[MILRETVET-INFO] VA Burial Benefits
- From: RETVET-INFO@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: <RetVet-Info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 20:38:15 -0500
Burial Benefits
Effective July 7, 2014: VA (changed) its monetary burial benefits regulations to
simplify the program and pay eligible survivors more quickly and efficiently.
These regulations will authorize VA to pay, without a written application, most
eligible surviving spouses basic monetary burial benefits at the maximum amount
authorized in law through automated systems rather than reimbursing them for
actual costs incurred.
* Under the current regulations, VA pays for burial and funeral expenses
on a reimbursement basis, which requires survivors to submit receipts for
relatively small one-time payments that VA generally pays at the maximum amount
permitted by law.
* The new burial regulations will permit VA to pay, at a flat rate,
burial and plot or interment allowances thereby enabling VA to automate payment
of burial benefits to most eligible surviving spouses and more efficiently
process other burial benefit claims.
* The burial allowance for a non-service-connected death is $300, and
$2,000 for a death connected to military service.
Benefit
Service-related Death
VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September
11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran
is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the
deceased may be reimbursed.
Non-service-related Death
VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after
October 1, 2011 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial
and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $700
plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery). For deaths on
or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300
toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. For
deaths on or after April 1, 1988 but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay $300
toward burial and funeral expenses (for Veterans hospitalized by VA at the time
of death).
An annual increase in burial and plot allowances for deaths occurring after
October 1, 2011 begins in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for
the preceding 12-month period.
Eligibility Requirements
* You paid for a Veteran's burial or funeral, AND
* You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some
other source, such as the deceased Veteran's employer, AND
* The Veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable,
AND
* The Veteran died because of a service-related disability, OR
* The Veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of
death, OR
* The Veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but
decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, OR
* The Veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care
under VA contract at a non-VA facility, OR
* The Veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA
expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment,
or care, OR
* The Veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of
death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior
to the date or death, OR
* The Veteran died on or after October 9, 1996, while a patient at a
VA-approved state nursing home.
NOTE: VA does not pay burial benefits if the deceased:
* Died during active military service, OR
* Was a member of Congress who died while holding office, OR
* Was a Federal prisoner
Evidence Requirements:
* Acceptable proof of death as specified in
<http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_211.DOC> 38 CFR 3.211.,
AND
* Receipted bills that show that you made payment in whole or part, OR
* A statement of account, preferably on the printed billhead of the
funeral director or cemetery owner. The statement of account must show:
* The name of the deceased Veteran for whom the services and merchandise
were furnished, AND
* The nature and cost of the services and merchandise, AND
* All credits, AND
* The amount of the unpaid balance, if any
How to Apply
* Complete and submit a VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial
Allowance. You can find an office on our
<http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3> Facility Locator
page, OR
* Apply online using <http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/> eBenefits, OR
* Work with an accredited
<http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp> representative or
<http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp> agent, OR
* Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can
find your regional office on our
<http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3> Facility Locator
page.
For more information on how to apply and for tips on making sure your claim is
ready to be processed by VA, visit our
<http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/apply.asp> How to Apply page.
Additional Information
Other information regarding VA burial benefits such as flags, headstones and
markers is provided by the <http://www.cem.va.gov/> National Cemetery
Administration.
SOURCE: VA News Release at
http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
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