How to Notify the VA of a Veteran’s Death

Key Takeaways

• Reporting a veteran’s death to the VA is essential to stop benefits and prevent overpayments.
• Notification can be made by phone, mail, or through a funeral home.
• Survivors may be eligible for VA death benefits, including burial allowances and survivor compensation.

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After a veteran passes away, families must handle administrative responsibilities during an already difficult time. One of the most important tasks is notifying the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Making sure the VA is informed promptly helps ensure disability or pension payments stop, prevents accidental overpayments, and helps surviving family members access the benefits they may be entitled to. 

If you have authority to act, this guide explains how to report a death to the VA, what information and documents you’ll need, and what benefits may follow once the VA is notified.

Why You Must Notify the VA of a Veteran’s Death

• Ongoing VA payments—such as disability compensation or pension benefits—must end immediately when a veteran dies. If payments continue because the VA wasn’t notified, the family may be legally responsible for paying back those funds.
• Failure to report a death to Veterans Affairs can delay or block survivor benefits. The VA cannot process Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), survivor pensions, or burial allowances until a veteran’s death is officially recorded in their system.
• Timely notification helps ensure the veteran’s records are updated and that any estate-related matters involving the VA can move forward.

How to Report a Death to the VA

• By Phone. You can report a death by calling the VA at 1-800-827-1000. This is often the fastest method, especially if you need immediate confirmation that benefits have been stopped.
• By Mail. A written notice can be mailed to the appropriate VA Pension Management Center for your region. This is helpful if you’re including supporting documents, such as a death certificate or proof of relationship.
• Through a Funeral Home. Not all offer this service, but some funeral homes will report a death to the VA on your behalf. 

Information to Include

• Full legal name of the deceased veteran.
• Date and place of death.
• Social Security number or VA file number.
• Your name, contact information, and relationship to the veteran.

Having this information ready will make the process easier and reduce follow-up requests from the VA. While you can provide initial notification without documents, the VA will require certain paperwork to complete the process and determine eligibility for survivor benefits.

This includes:

• Death Certificate. A certified copy of the death certificate is needed before most benefits can be reviewed or paid.
• DD-214 (Discharge Papers). You must provide proof of military service. If you don’t have the veteran’s DD-214, you can request it from the National Archives. 
• Proof of Relationship or Authority. If you’re a spouse, dependent child, or executor, documentation may be required to show your connection to the veteran or your authority to act on their behalf.

What the VA Does After Notification

Once you report a death to the VA, the agency will take several steps:

• Stop benefits promptly to prevent overpayment.
• Update the veteran’s file and confirm the death officially.
• Review survivor benefits, such as DIC, pension eligibility, or burial allowances.
• Send confirmation of receipt of the report, either to the person who notified them or to the estate representative.

Available VA Benefits After Death

Survivors may qualify for several types of assistance once the death has been recorded:

• Burial Allowance. The VA may provide a burial and funeral expense reimbursement, depending on the veteran’s discharge status, service-connected conditions, and where they were buried.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Tax-free monthly payments for eligible surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents of certain deceased veterans.
• Survivor’s Pension. A needs-based benefit for low-income surviving spouses and dependent children of wartime veterans.
• Memorial Items. The VA offers headstones, markers, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates at no cost.

Conclusion

Notifying the VA when a veteran dies is an essential step in settling their affairs, and honoring their legacy. It’s a key part of preventing financial complications, protecting family members from overpayment issues, and opening access to survivor benefits. 

For additional support with these and other estate tasks, Elayne’s Automated Estate Settlements platform is available to help. 

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FAQs

Q: Do I need to notify the VA of a death?
Yes. Benefits do not stop automatically. You must report a death to the VA to avoid overpayments and ensure survivors can access benefits.

Q: What does the VA do when someone dies?
They stop payments, update records, and begin reviewing survivor benefit eligibility.

Q: Who do you notify when a retired veteran dies?
Notify the VA, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) if they received military retirement pay, and Social Security.

Q: How much support does the VA provide?
Amounts vary depending on burial circumstances, service connection, and benefit eligibility.

*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, medical, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with a licensed professional to address your specific situation.