Get Veterans Compensation
1) There are three types of veterans/military compensation: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Survivors Pension, and Accrued Benefits. Here is the eligibility criteria for each of them:
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): This is for the family (spouse, children, and parents) of someone who has passed away during military service or as a result of a service-related disability. If the person died during military service, the unit should take care of this for you.
Survivors Pension: This is for the spouse and children of a veteran who served in wartime. The family needs to be below the poverty line, but this includes medical and home care expenses. The spouse cannot apply if they are remarried, and the children cannot apply if they are married.
Accrued benefits: If the veteran was owed benefits based on ratings, decisions, or evidence, surviving family members should still get those benefits.
2) If the person who passed was a veteran, you need to complete and sign VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534EZ-ARE.pdf
3) They will ask you for the following documents:
For all of the benefits
A Death Certificate copy
Proof of your relationship to the veteran: Marriage certificate, birth certificate, and/or adoption record
For Survivors Pension
Proof of low income
If relevant, proof of need for home care or a nursing home
For DIC
Proof that death occurred due to a service-connected disability or the VA: Any relevant, private medical treatment records and/or the medical record identifier to look up VA medical records
If you’re the parent of the veteran, proof of income
If home health or a nursing home is needed, there are two additional forms