FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 2301, 2302, 2303, 2306, 2307, 2308.

OBJECTIVES:

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, 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 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 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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