Six Categories of Survivor’s Benefits: Accrued Benefits

Survivor’s benefits are awarded to the survivors of deceased veterans, awarded based on the veteran’s service and/or service-connected disabilities.

Who is eligible? A surviving spouse; dependent children under the age of 18; children who are over 18 but permanently incapable of self-support; dependent parents, based on income; and persons who paid the veteran’s funeral expenses. 

There are six categories of survivor’s benefits; the second is Accrued Benefits as defined in 38 C.F.R. §3.1000. These are monetary benefits owed to the veteran that were not paid out prior to his or her death. A claim must be filed within one year within one year of the veteran’s death. 

Examples include claims pending at time of death where all evidence necessary for a favorable decision was on file, claims granted but unpaid prior to the beneficiary’s death, and proceeds from benefit checks that hadn’t been deposited at the time of death. 

Accrued benefits are paid based on the claimant’s relationship to the veteran. Payments are made to only one category of dependent and awarded to the highest category available. Eligible dependents are the surviving spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. When parents and children participate in a claim, equal shares are distributed to eligible dependents. 

Contact a VVA Veteran Service Officer to assist with your claim in states that have a benefits program here, or search for a VSO from another organization through the VA’s website in states where VVA does not. Enter your ZIP code or city and state, and you’ll see which VSOs serve your area.

Watch this space for more information on survivor’s benefits in the weeks to come!