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 don't qualify for burial benefits?

assistant: We will send you a denial decision letter telling you the reason for our denial and also send you a form called Your Rights to Seek Further Review of Our Decision VA Form 20-0998.

assistant: Do you know how much time you have to appeal a decision or a request for another review?

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

assistant: Then you know it depends on which option you use to request a review or to appeal and each option has a different time requirement.

user: Is there some number I can call to as for information?

assistant: Sure, it is 877-222-8387 and you can call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time.  

user: Is it possible for my family member or authorized representative to apply for my burial in a VA national cemetery at the time of need?

assistant: Yes, it just depends on laws and personal circumstances that change and then we will make a decision of whether you qualify for burial at time of need.

user: What way can I update my information?

assistant: You can actually update your information at any time by calling our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday throught Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

user: Is there a set time it takes the VA to make a decision?

assistant: The amount of time it takes to review your application depends on how much information is provided in the application and number of applicants we will be reviewing at the time.