To
provide a monetary allowance not to exceed $300 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 certain veterans. 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 entitled
to receive disability compensation, 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.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
No
restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: The person who bore the veteran's
burial expense or the Funeral Director, if unpaid, is eligible for
reimbursement of the burial expense. The next of kin, friend or
associate of the deceased veteran is eligible for the flag.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Bearer of veteran's burial expense
or Funeral Director if unpaid.
Credentials/Documentation:
Burial and plot allowances are payable for a veteran whose discharge
was under other than dishonorable conditions and who meet 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. 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.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: 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 to the Director of the National Cemetery System, Washington,
DC.
Award
Procedure: Awards are authorized at the regional
office except for headstones and markers.
Deadlines:
Application for the burial allowance must be filed within 2 years
of the veteran's burial. There is no deadline on receipt of the
flag.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately
90.0 percent in 90 days or less for burial allowance. Flags are
issued immediately upon completion of signed application.
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: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
None.
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0155-0-1-701.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $112,318,000; FY 02 est $133,049,000;
and FY 03 est $133,521,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Up to $300 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. Transportation charges may be covered
in certain cases.
Fiscal year 2001, 91,740 burial allowances and 600,000 burial flags
were given. Fiscal year 2002 estimates are 93,740 burial allowances
and 532,000 burial flags.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 3.1600-3.1611. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,"
VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents,
P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is
051-000-00220-2.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters
Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7210.
