Program Descriptions
Program Number
64.101
Title
Burial Expenses Allowance For Veterans
Federal Agency
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 2301, 2302, 2303, 2306, 2307, 2308.
Status
Active
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 for Specified Use.
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.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication 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 in accordance with the "General Information Sheet" and instructions attached to the application and submit it to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized at the regional office except for headstones and markers.
Deadlines
Application for the burial allowance must be filed within two years of the veteran's burial. Public Law 110-157 effectively exempts state cemeteries from any time limits for submitting a claim for reimbursed plot or interment costs for unclaimed remains only, effective retroactibely for interments or inurnments occuring on or after October 1, 2006. There is no deadline on receipt of the flag.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 79 percent completed 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
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 07 $168,875,000; FY 08 est $212,428,000; and FY 09 est $192,598,000.
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.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 2007, 67,219 burial allowances and 500,000 burial flags were given. FY 2008 estimates are 82,111 burial allowances and 500,000 burial flags. FY 2009 estimates are 84,038 burial allowances and 500,000 burial flags.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 3.1600-3.1611. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-6-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4.
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
http://www.va.gov
Related Programs
64.105, Pension To Veterans Surviving Spouses, And Children
64.201, National Cemeteries
64.202, Procurement Of Headstones And Markers And/Or Presidential Memorial Certificates
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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