Survivor Benefits Resource Hub
A consolidated guide to the federal benefits available to surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of deceased veterans.
When a veteran dies, surviving family members may qualify for more than one federal benefit. The programs below are administered separately by the VA, DFAS, and (for burial in national cemeteries) the National Cemetery Administration. Many can be received concurrently. This page links to the detailed guide for each program.
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents when the veteran's death was service-connected or deemed service-connected under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
DIC details & 2025 ratesBurial & Memorial Benefits
Burial allowance, plot allowance, government headstone or marker, U.S. burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and burial in a VA national cemetery for the veteran and eligible family.
Burial benefits guideCHAMPVA Health Coverage
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA — health coverage for spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally service-connected disabled, or who died of a service-connected condition.
CHAMPVA eligibility and coverageChapter 35 — DEA / Survivors' Education
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance for spouses and children of permanently and totally disabled or deceased service-connected veterans. Up to 36–45 months of education benefits.
DEA eligibilityVA Home Loan — Surviving Spouse
Unmarried surviving spouses of service-connected deaths or P&T-rated veterans may qualify for the VA home-loan guaranty. Filed on VA Form 26-1817.
Eligibility detailsAccrued Benefits & Substitution
Amounts the veteran was due but had not received at death. Generally must be claimed within one year of death using VA Form 21P-534EZ. Substitution may continue a pending claim under the survivor's name.
How accrued claims workSBP-DIC Offset Repealed (2023)
The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity from DoD is no longer reduced by the DIC payment from VA. Eligible surviving spouses now receive both benefits in full. If your SBP is still being offset, or if you previously declined SBP because of the offset, contact DFAS to review. Read the SBP-DIC details on the DIC page →
Where Oakridge Claims fits in
Oakridge Claims provides VA-accredited representation for the VA-administered survivor benefits — DIC, accrued benefits, and substitution claims. We do not handle DoD retirement or SBP administration (DFAS), national-cemetery burial scheduling (NCA), or CHAMPVA enrollment (handled directly with VA Community Care).
For each benefit above, the linked page identifies which agency runs the program and how to apply.
Need help with a DIC or accrued benefits claim?
Free initial consultation. Initial DIC applications are typically handled at no charge; written VA-compliant fee agreement required for any post-decision representation.
Educational content only. This page summarizes publicly available federal benefits. Eligibility is determined by the responsible agency (VA, DFAS, NCA) based on the specific facts of each case. Oakridge Claims is a private business providing VA-accredited representation under 38 CFR § 14.629; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No outcome is guaranteed.