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News January 2015

Dollar Sense

Veterans End-of-Life Benefits

By Teresa Ambord

Eligible veterans may be buried in a state or national VA cemetery. You can see a list of these cemeteries at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp. Also, although you can choose in advance where you will be buried, you cannot reserve a space in a national cemetery.

A recent report on Fox News said that more than half of veterans alive today are over age 65. Most of us agree, we owe a debt to these people that no amount of benefits can repay. The end-of-life benefits that the government provides to the families of veterans fall far short of adequate. Unfortunately, they are what they are.

If you are a veteran, when the time comes, your family will need certain proofs to secure the benefits that are available. One proof is your discharge papers. You may still have those tucked away somewhere. Be sure your family members know where to find them. If you do not have them, don’t worry. You can make life easier for your family after you pass away, by getting copies in advance.

Note: to be eligible for benefits, the papers must show you were not dishonorably discharged.

Apply for copies at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Or by sending a letter to:

National Personnel Records Center

1 Archives Drive

St. Louis, MO 63138

Call 314-801-0800 for assistance.

If you have a Standard Form 180, fill it out and send it with the letter. If you don’t have the form, just send the letter. If you have questions or require same day service, call 314-801-0800. If you are recently separated from the military, you can go to  https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage.

Miscellaneous points for you to know:

  • You cannot reserve a space in a national cemetery in advance.
  • Although there is some help, listed below, the funeral arrangements will still need to be made with a funeral home.

 

What You are Entitled to

Eligible veterans may be buried in a state or national VA cemetery. You can see a list of these cemeteries at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp. Also, although you can choose in advance where you will be buried, you cannot reserve a space in a national cemetery.

The benefits the VA provides to families of the deceased veteran at no cost include:

  • A grave site.
  • Opening and closing of the grave.
  • Perpetual grave site care.
  • A government headstone or marker.
  • A U.S. burial flag, which, is presented to the next-of-kin after the funeral.
  • A presidential memorial certificate, expressing the gratitude of the nation for the veteran’s service.

The same benefits are available if the veteran is cremated.

You should know, funeral or cremation arrangements must be made and paid for by the family. Spouses and dependents of veterans are also eligible for burial benefits at national cemeteries.

 

What if You Choose Burial in a Private Cemetery?

A veteran who is buried in a private cemetery is entitled to burial flag, a Presidential memorial certificate, and a free government headstone or marker, or a medallion that can be affixed to a privately purchased headstone or marker.

Again, the funeral or cremation arrangements are the responsibility of the family. No benefits are available to spouses or dependents of veterans buried in private cemeteries.

 

Military Funeral Honors

Eligible veterans are entitled to military honors as part of the funeral service. That means the folding and presentation to the survivors of a burial flag, and Taps played by two or more uniformed military members. If this is something you are interested in, ask for help with this at the VA. Forms must be completed in advance. You can learn more about this and other burial and memorial benefits at http://www.cem.va.gov/ or by calling 800-827-1000.

 

Monetary Assistance

Veterans who pass away while hospitalized by the VA may qualify for a funeral allowance of up to $700, or for those not hospitalized at the time of death, $300. Many sources say $734, but the VA benefits official website says, effective July 7, 2014, “up to $700.” Under the same new regulations, the VA is permitted to pay benefits without requiring the surviving spouses. Or log onto: http://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp. (This is for deaths that occur on or after October 1, 2011.)

The $700 benefit may be available whether you choose burial in a government or private cemetery. You can check eligibility at http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/factsheets/burials/burial.pdf.

When death is due to a service-related injury, there is a $2,000 burial allowance, which may be used to cover some of the funeral director’s expenses, the casket, and transportation to the cemetery. If the veteran was in a VA facility at the time of death, transportation of the body to the cemetery will be paid, subject to limits.

For those who die during active duty, all funeral expenses will be paid by the military – and the next of kin are also entitled to a “death gratuity” of $100,000.

Payment of benefits is not automatic. For eligible veterans, a form must be filled out... (Of course! This is government after all). VA Form 21-530 is the “Application for Burial Benefits.” Attach to it the discharge document mentioned above, a death certificate, and an invoice showing the funeral or burial has been paid in full. Form 21-530 is available at http://va.gov/vaforms/.

 

Family Eligibility for Veterans Burial Benefits

Spouses and dependents of veterans are also eligible for burial benefits at national cemeteries, whether or not the veteran is not buried there. If you are the spouse of a veteran who has passed on, even if you remarry you can claim the burial rights of a veteran’s spouse.

Who is not eligible? Divorced spouses of veterans lose their eligibility. Adult children are also no longer eligible. Parents, siblings, and others are not eligible even if they are dependents of the veteran. Former military with dishonorable discharges, and those convicted of subversive activities or capital crimes are not eligible.

 

Teresa Ambord is a former accountant and Enrolled Agent with the IRS. Now she writes full time
from her home, mostly for business, and about family when the inspiration strikes.

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