Veterans benefits checker

VA burial benefits the family probably qualifies for.

Most families of veterans claim one or two benefits and miss the rest. National cemetery burial, plot allowance, government headstone, burial flag — these are real money the VA already set aside, and the application is shorter than you think.

Time-sensitive: Most VA burial claims must be filed within 2 years of burial. If the death was recent, do this in the first month while the funeral home is still helping you with paperwork — they file most of these forms for free.

Did the deceased serve in the US military?Active duty, Reserves, or National Guard all count.

Discharge typeListed on the DD-214 under 'Character of Service'. If you don't have it yet, pick 'Don't know' — most are honorable.

When did they serve?Wartime periods are defined by Congress. If you're not sure, pick 'Don't know' — we'll still show core benefits.

Where will burial happen?Pick the closest match. National cemetery burial is free and is the largest single benefit available.

Did the death occur in a VA hospital or under VA care?Death in a VA facility or under VA contract care can increase the burial allowance.

What happens when you submit:

• We list the benefits the family likely qualifies for.
• Each one links to the official VA page.
• Nothing is saved or sent to the VA. You file when ready.

The single best move: call a VSO.

A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at your county VA office will review eligibility and file every form on this page for free. Find one at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp or by calling your county veterans services department.

Avoid paid “veterans claims services” that charge a fee. By federal law, accredited VSOs cannot charge for filing initial claims. They do this work every day and are faster than filing on your own.

What you’ll need to file

DD-214— Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The single most important document. If you can’t find it, request a free copy at archives.gov/veterans (form SF-180, takes 2–4 weeks).
Death certificate— one certified copy for each VA application.
Itemized funeral bill— for the burial allowance reimbursement.
Marriage certificate— if a surviving spouse is claiming.

If you’re still planning the funeral

Decide about national cemetery burial before signing with a private cemetery. Once a private plot is purchased, you generally can’t recover that money even if you later choose a national cemetery instead.

Help me decide on service type →Arrangement prep kit →

This page is general guidance based on publicly available VA information. Eligibility decisions are made by the VA, not by us. Specific questions go to a Veterans Service Officer or a VA-accredited attorney.