Procedure for Claiming Suvivor Benefits

• 1). Call a Veteran's Benefit Counselor at 1-800-827-1000 to check for your eligibility. Before you call, make sure you know or have on hand the exact years of the veteran's service, the time spent on active duty, and your personal income.
  
  You can apply for benefits by obtaining an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Death Pension by Surviving Spouse or Child, also known as "VA Form 21-534." The benefits counselor will tell you how to fill out the form and where to take or send it once completed.
  
  
• 2). When you go to turn your form in, bring with you all relevant birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as any other applicable records, such as adoption records and veteran discharge papers. The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation request may be payable if the veteran was killed in the line of duty or died from a service-related disability. Death Pension may be payable if the death of the veteran was not related to wartime service and your income as a surviving spouse or child is meets the criteria.
  
  
• 3). Take the birth certificates of all dependent children when applying. Benefit decisions are based on family income and number of children. Children of a deceased veteran may apply if the veteran had no surviving spouse.
  
  
• 4). If it is determined that you are eligible for both the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Death Pension the Veteran's Administration will pay the one that allows the most money.
  
  If you have a disability or need regular assistance due to illness, and you have proper documentation, you may qualify for house-bound benefits.
  
  
• 5). The time it takes to establish eligibility depends on several factors and can take up to six months. Complicated claims or those without adequate information may take longer. Call 1-800-827-1000 and follow the recorded instructions to check the status of your claim. Benefits are paid, if your claim is approved, from the date the claim was filed.