Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans

 

If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2023, VA will provide a monetary allowance not to exceed $948, or that amount authorized under 38 U.S.C. 2303 whichever is greater, toward the plot or interment expense for certain Veterans not buried in a national cemetery with a non-service-connected death. Up to $948 as a burial allowance is payable toward the burial expense of certain Veterans. If death is the result of a service-connected disability, payments can be made to reimburse burial and funeral expenses not to exceed $2,000 or that amount authorized under 5 U.S.C. 8134(a) whichever is greater. In addition to the statutory burial allowance, the cost of transporting the Veterans' remains from place of death to site of burial is paid by VA if death occurs in a VA facility. The cost of transporting the remains from place of death for burial in a national cemetery or a covered Veterans cemetery, such payment shall not exceed the cost of transportation to the national cemetery nearest the Veteran's last place of residence. Transportation benefits may also be paid if death was due to service-connected disability, or at the time of death the Veteran was in receipt of or was entitled to receive disability compensation but for the receipt of military retired pay or non-service-connected disability pension and burial is in a national cemetery. A headstone or marker may be authorized. If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2021, the maximum headstone or marker allowance is $231. Also, an American flag to drape the casket of a Veteran may be provided.

Active 64.101 Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; D - Direct Payments With Unrestricted Use Fiscal Year 2016 FY 2016 estimates are 40,538 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags
Fiscal Year 2017 : FY 2017 estimates are 41,867 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags.
Fiscal Year 2018 : FY 2018 estimates are 41,867 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY19, 34,803 plot allowances, 44,074 burial allowances, 38,323 service-connected burial allowances, and 440,554 burial flags were provided.
Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20 est: 29,312 plot allowances, 68,520 burial allowances, 41,620 service-connected burial allowances, and 455,515 burial flags)
Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21 est.: 29,887 plot allowances, 69,864 burial allowances, 43,524 service-connected burial allowances, and 450,500 burial flags.
Fiscal Year 2022 P&F completed more than 169,000 burial claims in 2021. The average days to process a burial claim was 26 days, compared to 69 days in 2020. This is a 62% reduction in processing time. 38 U.S.C. 2301, 2303, 2305, 2306, 2307, 2308, U.S.C. Eligible surviving spouses of record or added to the record at the time the death is reported are paid applicable burial and plot allowances automatically upon notification of a Veteran's death, without the need to submit a claim. VA may grant additional benefits, including the internment and transportation allowance, if VA receives a claim for these benefits. If the burial benefit has not been automatically paid to the surviving spouse, VA will pay the first living person to file a claim of those listed below: o The Veteran's surviving spouse, OR o The survivor of a legal union between the deceased Veteran and the survivor, OR o The Veteran's children, regardless of age, OR o The Veteran's parents or surviving parent, OR o The executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Veteran. If no one has been appointed, then VA may pay someone acting in such a capacity for the estate. The next of kin, friend or associate of the deceased Veteran is eligible for the flag. The Veteran's surviving spouse, the survivor of a legal union between the deceased Veteran and the survivor, the Veteran's children, regardless of age, the Veteran's parents or surviving parent, or the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Veteran who paid the Veteran's burial expenses. If no one has been appointed as executor or administrator of the estate, then VA may pay someone acting in such a capacity for the estate. A funeral director may be eligible if the Veteran's remains are unclaimed. Burial and plot allowances are payable for a Veteran whose discharge was under other than dishonorable conditions and meets the following criteria: the deceased Veteran was discharged or released from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty; or at the time of death the Veteran was entitled to compensation or pension, or the deceased Veteran was indigent or the deceased Veteran was properly hospitalized at VA expense. In lieu of plot and burial allowances, the service-connected allowance is payable toward the burial expenses of a deceased Veteran who died of a service-connected cause or who, at the date of death was rated totally disabled for a service-connected disability or disabilities. Each wartime Veteran and each peacetime Veteran who served at least one enlistment or was discharged or released from active duty because of a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty is entitled to a flag to drape the casket. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. An application (VA Form 21-530) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office for burial benefits. Headstones and markers must be applied for on VA Form 40-1330 in accordance with the "General Information Sheet" and instructions attached to the application and submit it to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/. Awards are authorized at the regional office except for headstones and markers. A claim must be filed for a non-service-connected burial allowance within 2 years after the Veteran's burial. If a Veteran's discharge was changed after death from dishonorable to another status, you must file for an allowance claim within 2 years after the discharge update. There's no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot, or interment allowance. There is also no time limit to file for the transportation benefit. On average these claims were completed in within 40 days in FY 2023. Approximately 90% completed in less than 125. In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits. Not applicable. Not applicable. No restrictions. Not applicable. Not applicable. None. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. not applicable Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices. VBA, Pension and Fiduciary Service
1800 G Street
Washington, DC 20006 USA
Pension.Fiduciary.VBACO@va.gov
Phone: (800) 827-1000 https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/ 36-0102-0-1-701 (Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 22$280,456,887.00; FY 23 est $307,551,086.00; FY 24 est $337,262,784.00; FY 19$260,953,000.00; FY 20 est $344,932,000.00; FY 21 est $354,986,000.00; FY 17 est $231,669,000.00; FY 18 Estimate Not Available FY 16$225,269,000.00; - Up to $948 for plot or interment expenses for a non-service-connected death. Up to $948 for burial allowance for a non-service-connected death. Up to $2,000 if death is service-connected. Payable rates are higher if the Veteran was hospitalized by VA at the time of death. Reasonable transportation charges (expense that is usual and customary in the context of burial transportation, with a corresponding charge that is usual and customary charge made to the general public for the same or similar services) may be covered in certain cases. 38 CFR 3.1600-3.1611. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-6-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4. Not applicable.