January 2009 

Deaths on Active Duty - Survivor Benefits 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a variety of programs to assist the 

survivors of military personnel who die on active duty. Most of these provisions 

apply equally to those serving on active duty inside or outside a combat theater. 

Summary of Benefits 

Survivors receive certain payments or benefits regardless of whether the in-service 

death is due to combat, accident or disease, including: 

• Burial benefits for the deceased servicemember, which include a gravesite 

in any VA national cemetery with available space, perpetual care of the 

grave at no cost to the family, a government headstone or marker, 

Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a U.S. burial flag. 

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation at the monthly rate of $1,154 

for a surviving spouse, with additional benefits for dependent children. 

• Life insurance, which most military members carry at the highest level, 

$400,000. 

More information about how VA services apply in individual cases is available 

from VA representatives at 1-800-827-1000. 

Casualty Assistance Program 

VA has a Casualty Assistance Program to give personal attention to surviving 

family members after in-service deaths, and to help them with benefit information 

and applications. A casualty assistance coordinator is designated at each of VA's 57 

Veterans Benefits Administration regional offices. These VA coordinators work 

closely with military casualty officers to ensure timely assistance to beneficiaries. 

Reservists and National Guard Eligibility 

When a member of the Reserves or National Guard dies while federally activated or

when serving on inactive duty for training, the death is considered serviceconnected for VA death benefits. Activation of a National Guard unit by a 

governor alone in support of security operations does not qualify unit members for 

these VA benefits, except life insurance. 

- More - 
VA Benefits for Survivors 2/2/2/2 

Monthly Payments for Spouse and Children 

When a servicemember dies while on active duty, the death is considered serviceconnected unless it was due to willful misconduct. VA pays $1,154 a month in 

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to surviving spouses. In most 

cases, survivors' claims are processed within 48 hours of receiving all necessary 

paperwork. 

In some cases VA can pay more than $1,154 a month, such as a $286 benefit for 

each dependent child who is unmarried and under age 18, or up to age 23 if 

studying at a VA-approved school. Also, for a surviving spouse who has one or 

more dependent children below age 18, an additional $250 is added to the monthly 

DIC from the date DIC entitlement begins. This additional amount is removed at 

the end of two years following the date DIC entitlement began or earlier if all the 

dependent children attain age 18. 

Payments are increased if the surviving spouse is housebound or needs a home aide. 

The basic rate for survivors is adjusted annually and payments continue generally 

until the death of the spouse or remarriage before age 57. Remarriage after age 57 

does not affect benefits. Additional information about benefits for family members, 

to include low-income parents of the veteran, is available at 

www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents. 

As of December 2008, DIC has been paid on behalf of more than 3,000 

beneficiaries stemming from the deaths of servicemembers in Operations Iraqi 

Freedom or Enduring Freedom. 

Life Insurance 

Most servicemembers and reservists take VA's life insurance coverage, 

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, although a few decline coverage. Most 

choose coverage at the highest levels and their designated beneficiary receives a 

payment of $400,000. VA pays claims related to Operation Iraqi Freedom and 

Operation Enduring Freedom within 48 hours of receiving the necessary paperwork. 

VA also offers beneficiaries free, personalized financial planning through a 

financial services company. 

As of December 2008, VA had received notice from the military services of 4,777 

casualties of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom who had life insurance 

coverage, with VA making payments to more than 6,600 beneficiaries. 

More information about insurance benefits is available at www.insurance.va.gov. 

- More - 
VA Benefits for Survivors 3/3/3/3 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) 

There is no death benefit under the TSGLI program, which is designed to provide 

financial help through extended periods of medical care and healing for 

servicemembers who have suffered certain traumatic injuries. However, if an 

eligible service member dies before a payment is issued, the member's beneficiary 

under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program will be paid. 

Burial in a VA National Cemetery

Members of the armed forces and veterans, their spouses and dependent children 

may be buried in any of VA's national cemeteries with available space. There 

currently are 125 national cemeteries across the nation and 86 have available grave 

space. More information is available at www.cem.va.gov. 

As of December 2008, there have been nearly 800 servicemembers who died in Iraq 

or Afghanistan and were interred in VA national cemeteries. 

Burial in a Non-VA Cemetery 

Deaths of active-duty members are not covered by VA's financial burial allowance 

benefits, since the military services assist survivors with funeral expenses and the 

cost of burial in private cemeteries. If a family wishes to arrange burial in a nonVA cemetery, VA will provide a headstone or marker for the grave, Presidential 

Memorial Certificate and a U.S. burial flag. 

Burial in a State Veterans Cemetery 

Although not a benefit provided by VA, burial in a state veterans cemetery is an 

option available in many states for those who die on active duty. Some states have 

residency requirements and may impose additional limitations. 

Military Funeral Honors 

Upon request, the Department of Defense will provide military funeral honors. 

This arrangement typically is made by the funeral director. At least two uniformed 

servicemembers fold and present the flag and play "Taps" by a recording or a 

bugler. Additional information about funeral honors is available at 

www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil. 

Military Burial Flags 

In the case of in-service deaths, the Defense Department provides a U.S. flag to 

drape the casket or to be presented at a memorial service. After the service, the flag 

is given to the next of kin. 

- More - 
VA Benefits for Survivors 4/4/4/4 

Health Care 

General health care and limited dental benefits for the survivors of servicemembers 

killed in action in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom are provided by 

the military through its TRICARE program. For more information, see 

http://www.tricare.mil. 

VA offers bereavement counseling to parents, spouses and children of Armed 

Forces personnel who died in the service of their country. Also eligible are family 

members of reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on federal active 

duty. Bereavement counseling helps people deal with emotional and psychological 

stress after the death of a loved one. VA's bereavement counseling is provided at 

community-based Vet Centers located near the families. A directory is available at 

http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter.asp. There is no cost for VA 

bereavement counseling. 

Educational Assistance

When a servicemember dies on active duty, VA's Survivors' and Dependents' 

Educational Assistance Program generally provides up to 45 months of education 

benefits to the un-remarried surviving spouse, which must be used within 20 years 

of the date of death, or for children aged 18 to 26. Currently the rate is $915 a 

month for full-time attendance, with lesser amounts for part-time education. This 

benefit may be used to pursue secondary school programs; associate, bachelor or 

graduate degrees; technical or vocational training; apprenticeships; and other types 

of training, including work-study programs. More information is available at 

http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm. 

Refund of Servicemember's Unused GI Bill Contribution 

If the deceased servicemember had contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill 

education program, the designated life insurance beneficiary is entitled to a refund 

of the money that was collected through payroll deduction but was not awarded in 

education benefits during the servicemember's lifetime. If there is no designated 

beneficiary, the refund is payable to the surviving spouse. If the servicemember is 

not married, it is payable to the surviving child/children in equal shares. If the 

servicemember is not married, it is payable to the surviving child/children in equal 

shares. If there is no spouse nor children, it is payable to the surviving parent or 

parents in equal shares. Most active-duty military members participate in this 

educational benefit program, which deducts $1,200 from their pay at $100 monthly 

during their first year of service. 

The survivor may apply for the benefit by simply sending a letter requesting the 

refund St. Louis Regional Processing Office, 400 S. 18th Street. St. Louis, MO 

63103. 

- More - 
VA Benefits for Survivors 5/5/5/5 

Home Loans

Surviving spouses of military members who died on active duty or died from a 

service-related disability may be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan from a 

private lender. The loan may be used to purchase, construct or improve a home, to 

refinance an existing mortgage or for certain other purposes. As with the program 

for veterans, VA guarantees part of the total loan, permitting the purchaser in many 

cases to obtain a no-downpayment mortgage with a competitive interest rate. For 

more information on the VA home loan program, visit 

http://www.homeloans.va.gov. 

Presidential Memorial Certificate Program 

The servicemember's next of kin receives a Presidential Memorial Certificate. 

Additional certificates are available for other loved ones upon request to VA. The 

gold embossed parchment-style paper is inscribed with the servicemember's name 

and bears the president's signature. It expresses the nation's gratitude for the 

deceased person's military service. 

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