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: If you did not qualify for burial benefits

assistant: We ll send you a denial decision letter explaining the reasons or basis of our denial .s   [66] 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: Do you want to know how much time do you have to appeal the decision or request another review?

user: yes

assistant:  It depends on which option you use to request a review or to appeal . Each option has a different time requirement

user: If you qualify for funeral benefits what should the folder have?

assistant: 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 

user: How to update my information

assistant:  You can update your information at any time . Call our toll - free hotline at 877 - 222 - 8387 .s   [85] We re here Monday through Friday , 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m

user: Can my family member or authorized representative 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 . We ll make the final decision of whether you qualify for burial at the time of need .

user: What if I change my mind and don t want to be buried in a VA national cemetery?

assistant:  Your family members can make arrangements for your burial at a private cemetery even if we ve already sent you a pre - need decision letter . There s no need to contact VA about this change of plans .

user: How much time do I have to appeal the decision or request another review?

assistant: See time requirements for each type of claim appeal and reviewLearn how to file your claim using VA Form 20 - 0998