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Content provided by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
64.105 Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children

FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 1541, 1542, 1543.
OBJECTIVES: Click here for help!
To assist needy surviving spouses, and children of deceased war-time veterans whose deaths were not due to service.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
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USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

No restrictions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Unmarried surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans who had at least 90 days of honorable active war-time service or, if less than 90 days during war-time, were discharged for a service- connected disability. Income restrictions are prescribed. A child must be unmarried and under 18, between 18 and 23 if in school, or disabled before 18 and continuously incapable of self-support. Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Needy surviving spouses and children of deceased war-time veterans.

Credentials/Documentation:   Military discharge certificate, marriage certificate, and birth certificate(s). Income and net worth must be limited as prescribed by statute.

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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) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office.

Award Procedure:   Awards are authorized by the Regional Office.

Deadlines:   None, but entitlement may be established from the first day of the month in which the veteran died if the application is received within 45 days after the date of death; otherwise, entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the claim.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 94 percent in 90 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:   A surviving spouse, or child must promptly report a change in marital status and income. Additionally, a change in schooling for a child over 18 but under 23 must be reported. Eligibility verification requests are sent periodically.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0102-0-1-701.

Obligations:   (Direct Payments) FY 01 $684,558,000; FY 02 est $683,631,000; and FY 03 est $675,523,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$7,498 annually, reduced by countable income for a spouse without children ($11,985 if in need of aid and attendance and $9,164 if housebound) and $9,815 for a surviving spouse with one child ($14,298 if in need of aid and attendance and $11,478 if housebound) plus $1,909 for each additional child. These rates were effective December 1, 2007 for Improved Law Pensions.

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PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
In fiscal year 2001, 247,784 survivors cases received pension. The figures for subsequent periods are: fiscal year 2002, an estimated 232,765 cases; and fiscal year 2003, an estimated 219,456 cases.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

38 CFR 3.3. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number: 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) 461-9700.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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