After you apply for an eligibility determination 
Find out what happens after you apply for a pre - need eligibility determination for burial in a VA national cemetery. 

How long does it take VA to make a decision? 
The amount of time it takes to review your application depends on : The number of applications we re reviewing , and How much information you provided in your application , and Whether you provided your or your sponsor s DD214 or other separation documents along with your application Note: We ve received a large number of pre - need eligibility applications , and it s slowing down our approval process. We ll let you know when we ve received your application and how long we think it ll take to make a decision. We re sorry for the delay. For more information , you can call 877 - 222 - 8387, Monday through Friday , 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Please wait to hear back about your application rather than applying again. You don t need to do anything while you wait. We ll contact you if we need more information to make a decision. 

If you qualify for burial benefits 
You ll receive a VA burial and memorial benefits folder from us in the mail. Your folder will include : A letter telling you if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called your pre - need decision letter. A National Cemetery Administration brochure and a burial benefits information sheet. These will tell you more about the benefits you ll receive. A copy of the supporting documents you submitted with your application 

What should I do after I receive my pre-need decision letter and folder? 
Keep your pre - need decision letter and folder in a safe place. Talk to your family members or authorized representative about your burial wishes including any memorialization requests and inscriptions and make sure they know where your benefits folder is located. They ll need this information to request your burial at the time of need. 

What do my family members need to do to request my bu

user: How will I know if I do not qualify for burial benefits?

assistant: We will send you a denial decision letter telling why you were denied burial benefits and we will also send you a form called Your Rights to seek Further Review of Our Decision VA Form 20-0998 which explains your rights to appeal.

assistant: Do you know how much time you have to appeal?

user: Yes, I know how much time I have to appeal.

assistant: It just depends on which option you use to request a review or appeal.

user: What will happen if I change my mind and really don't want to be buried in a VA national cemetery?

assistant: Your family will be able to make arrangements for your burial in a private cemetery even if we have all ready sent you a pre-need decision letter.

user: What happens when my family member requests a burial for me?

assistant: We will need to confirm your pre-need eligibility determination based on the laws at the time.

user: What will they need at the time of need burial?

assistant: We will keep a copy of your pre-need application, decision letter, and supporting documents in our system.

user: Can my family member still apply for my burial in a VA national cemetery at the time of need?

assistant: Yes, laws and personal circumstances may change earlier eligibility decisions and we will make a final decision.