FEDERAL
AGENCY:
VETERANS
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
AUTHORIZATION:
38
U.S.C. 1121, 1141.
To
compensate surviving spouses, children and dependent parents for
the death of any veteran who died before January 1, 1957, because
of a service-connected disability. (Claimants may elect payment
under the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Program.)
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
Place Cursor Here for Definition
|
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
No
restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: An unmarried surviving spouse,
unmarried children and dependent parent or parents of the deceased
veteran who must have died before January 1, 1957, because of a
service-connected disability. For deaths on or after January 1,
1957, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: An unmarried surviving spouse,
children and dependent parents of deceased veteran.
Credentials/Documentation:
Death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate(s),
and military discharge certificate.
APPLICATION
AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: An application (VA Form 21-534
or 21-535) may be obtained from any local or regional VA office
and submitted to the regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog).
Award
Procedure: Awards are authorized at the regional
office.
Deadlines:
None.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately
80 percent in 180 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: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or
dependent parent must be reported promptly. Any change in school
attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report
changes in income which would affect their dependency status and
are sent eligibility verification requests every third year.
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0102-0-1-701.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $1,928,000; FY 02 est $1,531,000; and
FY 03 est $1,216,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Monthly compensation ranges from $87 for a surviving spouse
to $121 for a widow or widower with one child; plus $29
for each additional child. An additional allowance of $79
if widow, widower or dependent parent is in need of aid and attendance.
Assistance for dependent parent is $75 for one alone and
$80 for two.
PROGRAM
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
During 2001, approximately 16 spouses and 1,715 parents received
survivors compensation. Fiscal year 2002 estimates are 1,350 parents
and 15 spouses. Fiscal year 2003 estimates are 1,063 parents and
14 spouses.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 3.4 (C) "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependent," 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.
Web
Site Address: http://www.va.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Not applicable.
