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Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans
2303 whichever is greater, toward the plot or interment expense for certain Veterans not buried in a national cemetery.
Up to $300 as a burial allowance is payable toward the burial expense of
If death is the result of a service-connected disability, payments can be made to reimburse burial and funeral expenses not to exceed $2,000 or that amount authorized under 5 U.S.C.
8134(a) whichever is greater.
In addition to the statutory burial allowance, the cost of transporting the Veterans' remains from place of death to site of burial is paid by VA if death occurs in a VA facility.
The cost of transporting the remains from place of death to the national cemetery in which space is available nearest the Veteran's last place of residence may also be paid if death was due to service-connected disability, or at the time of death the Veteran was in receipt of or was entitled to receive disability compensation but for the receipt of military retired pay or non-service-connected disability pension and burial is in a national cemetery.
A headstone or marker may be authorized.
Also, an American flag to drape the casket of a Veteran may be provided.
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016: FY 2016 estimates are 40,538 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags. Fiscal Year 2017: : FY 2017 estimates are 41,867 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags. Fiscal Year 2018: : FY 2018 estimates are 41,867 burial allowances and 497,644 burial flags.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible surviving spouses of record or added to the record at the time the death is reported are paid burial and plot allowances automatically upon notification of a Veteran?s death, without the need to submit a claim.
VA may grant additional benefits, including the internment and transportation allowance, if VA receives a claim for these benefits.
If the burial benefit has not been automatically paid to the surviving spouse, VA will pay the first living person to file a claim of those listed below:
? The Veteran?s surviving spouse, OR
? The survivor of a legal union between the deceased Veteran and the survivor, OR
? The Veteran?s children, regardless of age, OR
? The Veteran?s parents or surviving parent, OR
? The executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Veteran.
If no one has been appointed, then VA may pay someone acting in such a capacity for the estate.
The next of kin, friend or associate of the deceased Veteran is eligible for the flag.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The Veteran?s surviving spouse, the survivor of a legal union between the deceased Veteran and the survivor, the Veteran?s children, regardless of age, the Veteran?s parents or surviving parent, or the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Veteran who paid the Veteran?s burial expenses. If no one has been appointed as executor or administrator of the estate, then VA may pay someone acting in such a capacity for the estate. A funeral director may be eligible if the Veteran?s remains are unclaimed.
Credentials/Documentation
Burial and plot allowances are payable for a Veteran whose discharge was under other than dishonorable conditions and meets the following criteria: the deceased Veteran was discharged or released from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty; or at the time of death the Veteran was entitled to compensation or pension, or the deceased Veteran was indigent or the deceased Veteran was properly hospitalized at VA expense. In lieu of plot and burial allowances, the service-connected allowance is payable toward the burial expenses of a deceased Veteran who died of a service-connected cause or who, at the date of death was rated totally disabled for a service-connected disability or disabilities. Each wartime Veteran and each peacetime Veteran who served at least one enlistment or was discharged or released from active duty because of a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty is entitled to a flag to drape the casket. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. An application (VA Form 21-530) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office for burial benefits. Headstones and markers must be applied for on VA Form 40-1330 in accordance with the 'General Information Sheet' and instructions attached to the application and submit it to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office except for headstones and markers.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 2301, 2302, 2303, 2306, 2307, 2308, 38 U.S.C 2301-2308.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 120 to 180 days. On average from 78 to 144 days. Approximately 62 percent completed in 125 days or less.
Appeals
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
not applicable. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not Applicable.
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0155-0-1-701.
Obigations
(Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 16 $225,269,000; FY 17 est $231,669,000; and FY 18 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Up to $747 for plot or interment expenses. Up to $300 for burial allowance if death is not service-connected. Up to $2,000 if death is service-connected. Reasonable transportation charges may be covered in certain cases. A reasonable transportation expense is an expense that is usual and customary in the context of burial transportation, with a corresponding charge that is the usual and customary charge made to the general public for the same or similar services.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 3.1600-3.1611. 'Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,' VA Pamphlet 80-6-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9700
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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