Service Officer Training Alex Jones Veterans Benefit Representative 2 Death Pension & Burial Benefits

DEATH PENSION  What is VA Death Pension:  Death pension is a benefit paid to eligible dependents of deceased wartime veterans.  How to apply:  Fill out VA Form EZ (Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by Surviving Spouse or Child) 2

DEATH PENSION  Definition of a spouse  Married to the vet at time of death  Continuous Cohabitation  Married while in service or, if after service, before applicable dates:  One year OR within 10 yrs of wartime period. (Since WWII) 3

DEATH PENSION  Exclusions – 38 CFR  Medical Expenses  Last Illness and Burial Expenses  Just Debts  Life Insurance – No longer counts as income. Can affect net worth. 4

DEATH PENSION  Additional Benefits  Housebound or Aid & Attendance  For dependents; up to 23 if unmarried and in school.  (Note – dependents income counts as well as surviving spouses) 5

DEATH PENSION  Report all changes, even if they appear minor.  Importance of accurate income reporting.  Cross matches, IRS, Civil Service, Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Black Lung. 6

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BURIAL BENEFITS  VA Burial Allowance 38 CFR  Vet must have been in receipt of VA pension or compensation OR  Would have been in receipt of compensation but for military retired pay OR  Properly hospitalized by VA 8

BURIAL BENEFITS  Requirement for SC burial benefit  Service connected disability either direct or contributory cause of death.  Note: Surviving spouse may be entitled to DIC and SC burial benefits not payable.  (Automatic DIC for 10 yrs at 100% or 1 yr for former POW, etc.) 9

BURIAL BENEFITS  Amounts  Service connected up to $2,000  Transportation to nearest national cemetery  Non-service connected  Burial allowance $700 if Hospitalized by VA or $300 if not hospitalized by VA  Plot Allowance $700 if not buried in a National Cemetery 10