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: Good evening. I have to organize a burial, but I fear that I won't qualify for burial benefits. What will happen if I get rejected?

assistant: I'll gladly explain. We'll send you a denial decision letter explaining the reasons or basis of our denial. We'll also send you a form called Your Rights to Seek Further Review of Our Decision VA Form 20-0998 along with your denial letter. This form explains your rights to appeal or to request another review, and how to submit more evidence.

assistant: Are you wondering how much time you have to appeal the decision or request another review?

user: No, I am familiar with the deadlines.

assistant: Would you like to know if your family member or authorized representative can still apply for my burial in a VA national cemetery at the time of need?

user: Yes, can they?

assistant: Of course. Laws and personal circumstances may change earlier eligibility decisions.

user: That's good to know. And how can I update my information?

assistant: You can update your information at any time. Call our toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387. We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

user: Can you tell me more about appeals?

assistant: You can learn more about appeals and reviews of VA claims on our page.

user: Do you also have information about burials on your page?

assistant: Yes, you can also learn more about planning a burial for a family member.

user: And when will you decide if I qualify for a burial?

assistant: We'll make the final decision of whether you qualify for burial at the time of need.