Death Benefits Guide

Death

Beneﬁts

Guide

PLANNING FOR YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE

A death in the family too often finds the

survivorsill-prepared to cope with the loss. That

lack of preparation, and particularly the lack

ofinformation, is why we have prepared this

booklet for the families of deceased veterans.

To ensure the booklet is as helpful as possible,

we encourage each veteran to thoroughly

complete the Personal Family Data section.

Thatpersonal information, along with

information on the programs and services

offeredthrough the Department of Veterans

Affairs, will provide answers to questions that

may have otherwise gone unanswered.

In every instance, a DAV (Disabled American

Veterans) national service officer (NSO) can help

you and your family when it’s most needed, at no

charge or obligation. They are your best resource

when it comes to practical information on the

broad range of VA programs and services, and they

are experienced in helping to ease the burden when

personal tragedy strikes. To find your local DAV

NSO, visit dav.org/veterans/find-your-local-office.

DAV—with its nationwide corps of benefits

advocates and our more than 1 million

members—stands ready to help. Please

callonuswhenour services are needed.

Sincerely,

J. Marc Burgess

National Adjutant

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VETERANS BENEFITS

Death Benefits ...............................3

Burial and Plot Interment Allowances ..........3

Burial in National Cemeteries .................4

Headstone, Marker and Medallion .............6

Burial Flags .................................8

Military Funeral Honors ......................8

Presidential Memorial Certificates .............9

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS

Surviving Spouses, Children andParents .......10

Non-Service-Connected DeathPension ........13

Education ..................................14

Home Loan Guaranty .......................17

Medical Care ...............................18

Life Insurance ..............................19

Federal-Related Benefits .....................20

ESTATE PLANNING

Leaving a Legacy Gift to DAV ................21

Summary of Gift Planning Options ............22

Bequests Through Wills and Trusts ............23

Account Beneficiary Forms ..................25

For More Information .......................27

RESOURCES

Personal Family Data ........................31

Additional Resources ........................40

3VETERANS BENEFITS

DEATH BENEFITS

Certain benefits are available to eligible survivors

of deceased veterans of wartime or peacetime

service (other than training) who were discharged

under conditions other than dishonorable.

Survivors of members of the Reserve and National

Guard who died while performing, or as a result

of performing, active duty for training may be

eligible. Survivors of merchant marines who served

from Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946, may also be

eligible for benefits.

BURIAL AND PLOT INTERMENT ALLOWANCES

Certain benefits, described as follows, are available

to assist with the burial expenses of veterans and

certain dependents or survivors. Assistance with

the burial of dependents and survivors is limited

tointerment in a national cemetery.

ELIGIBILITY

Burial Allowance for Service-Connected Death

Eligibility is established if the veteran died as a

direct result of a service-connected disability,

or if a service-connected disability was found

by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be a

contributing cause for the veteran’s death.

The VA will pay up to an established amount

set by law and periodically increased toward

burial expenses. If the veteran is buried in a

VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of

transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

Burial and Plot Allowance for

Non-Service-Connected Death

For deaths in a VA hospital, the VA will pay up to

an established amount set by law and periodically

increased toward burial and plot expenses. If the

death happened while the veteran was in a VA

hospital or under VA-contracted nursing home

care, some or all of the costs for transporting the

veteran’s remains may be reimbursed.

4 VETERANS BENEFITS

BURIAL IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES

ELIGIBILITY/BENEFIT

The VA provides veterans and dependents a variety

of gravesite options for burial, though choices are

limited to those available at a specific cemetery.

These options may include a full casket burial or

a columbarium or in-ground niche for cremated

remains. A limited number of national cemeteries

also provide a scatter garden for dispersing

cremated remains.

Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be

reserved, but the VA will honor reservations made

under previous programs. The funeral director

or the next of kin makes interment arrangements

for an eligible veteran or dependent by contacting

the national cemetery in which burial is desired.

The VA normally does not conduct burials on

weekends. However, weekend callers will be

directed to a national cemetery that can schedule

burials for the following week.

Spouses and minor children of service

members and eligible veterans may also be

buried in a national cemetery. If a surviving

spouse of aneligible veteran remarries, and that

marriage isterminated by death or dissolved by

annulment or divorce, the surviving spouse is

eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Burial

of minor children of eligible persons is limited

to unmarried children under 21 years of age,

or under 23 years of age if they were pursuing

a full-time course of instruction at an approved

educational institution. Eligible veterans’

unmarried adult children who became physically

or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support

before reaching the age of 21, or 23 if a full-time

student, also are eligible for burial.

Parents of veterans may be eligible for burial at

a national cemetery. A parent may be buried only

within the veteran child’s gravesite. No more than

two parents are eligible for burial per deceased

veteran child. Parent burial eligibility is subject

to a determination by the secretary that there is

available space within the veteran’s gravesite.

PRE-NEED ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERMENT

INANATIONAL CEMETERY

The VA provides eligibility determinations for

interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the

time of need. Through the Pre-Need Determination

of Eligibility Program, upon request, individuals

can learn if they are eligible for burial or

memorialization in a VA national cemetery.

Veterans and eligible spouses now can receive a

determination on burial at a VA national cemetery

prior to their death.

Apply online for Pre-Need Determination

of Eligibilty at va.gov/burials-and-memorials/

pre-need/form-10007-apply-for-eligibility/

introduction. Or, submit VA Form 40-10007

(Application for Pre-Need Determination of

Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery),

which can be accessed at www.va.gov/vaforms/

va/pdf/VA40-10007.pdf, and supporting

documentation, such as a DD Form 214, if readily

available, to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling

Office:

• Fax (toll-free): 1-855-840-8299

• National Cemetery Scheduling Office,

P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151

VETERANS CEMETERIES ADMINISTERED

BYOTHERAGENCIES

Arlington National Cemetery:

Administered by the

Department of the Army. Eligibility for burial is

more restrictive than at VA national cemeteries.

For information, visit arlingtoncemetery.mil, call

877-907-8585, or write to:

Superintendent

Arlington National Cemetery

1 Memorial Ave.

Arlington, VA 22211

6 VETERANS BENEFITS

Department of the Interior: One active national

cemetery is administered—Andersonville National

Cemetery in Georgia. Eligibility for burial is

similar to VA cemetery eligibility. For more

information, visit cem.va.gov/cem/cems/doi.asp,

call 202-208-6843, or write to:

Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1849 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20240

State Veterans Cemeteries: Individual states operate

cemeteries for veterans. Eligibility requirements may

differ from those for national cemeteries. Contact

the state cemetery or state veterans affairs office for

additional information. To locate a state veterans

cemetery, visit cem.va.gov.

HEADSTONE, MARKER AND MEDALLION

BENEFIT

Flat bronze, granite or marble markers and upright

granite and marble headstones are available. For

national cemetery burials, the style chosen must

be consistent with existing monuments at the

location of the plot. Bronze niche markers also are

available to mark buried columbaria of cremated

remains. Government-furnished headstones and

markers must be inscribed with the name of the

deceased, branch of service, and the year of birth

and death, in that order.

Headstones and markers may be inscribed with

other items, including an authorized emblem of

religious belief and, space permitting, additional

text, including military grade, rate or rank; war

service (such as “World War II”); complete dates

of birth and death; military awards; military

organizations; and civilian or veteran affiliations.

When burial or memorialization is in a national,

state or military veterans cemetery, the headstone

or marker must be ordered through cemetery

Sample headstone

officials. For information on available styles, or to

request one, contact the appropriate cemetery.

To obtain a government-furnished headstone

or marker for a private cemetery, you must

apply for one through the VA.

The government will ship the

headstone or marker free of

charge but will not pay for its

placement. Headstones and

markers previously provided by

the government may be replaced

at government expense if they

are badly deteriorated, illegible,

stolen or vandalized. Eligible service members and

veterans buried in private cemeteries whose deaths

occurred on or after Sept. 11, 2001, may receive

a government-furnished headstone or marker

regardless of whether or not the grave is already

marked with a non-government marker.

To apply, complete VA Form 40-1330 (Claim

for Standard Government Headstone or Marker),

which can be accessed at www.va.gov/vaforms/va/

pdf/VA40-1330.pdf. Mail the completed form and

a copy of the veteran’s military service discharge

certificate (DD Form 214 or equivalent) or a

copy of other documents establishing qualifying

military service to:

Memorial Products Service (41B)

Department of Veterans Affairs

5109 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134-3903

Documents are not returned, so do not send

originals. Documents may also be faxed to

1-800-455-7143. For additional information,

visitcem.va.gov.

The VA provides memorial headstones and

markers for eligible veterans whose remains

were not recovered or identified, buried at sea,

donated to science, or cremated and scattered. “In

Memory of” is the mandatory first line. Eligible

8 VETERANS BENEFITS

dependents may be memorialized only in national

or state veterans cemeteries. To be memorialized,

dependents do not need to outlive the veteran

on whom their eligibility is based. Memorial

headstones or markers must be placed in national,

state veterans, local or private cemeteries. The

VA supplies and ships memorial headstones and

markers free of charge for placement in state, local

and private cemeteries but does not pay for their

plots or placement.

BURIAL FLAGS

BENEFIT

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape

the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased

veteran who served honorably in the U.S. armed

forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a

veteran’s military service to their country. Generally,

the flag is given to the next of kin as a keepsake after

its use during the funeral service. When the veteran

is buried at a national cemetery, the flag may be

donated to that cemetery’s Avenue of Flags.

You may apply for the flag by completing VA

Form 27-2008 (Application for United States

Flag for Burial Purposes), which can be accessed

at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-27-2008-

ARE.pdf. Bring the completed VA Form 27-2008

to the funeral director, any VA regional office

or U.S. post office. For more information, visit

cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/burial_flags.asp.

MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS

BENEFIT

The Department of Defense is responsible for

providing military funeral honors. “Honoring

Those Who Served” is the title of the DOD

program for providing dignified military funeral

honors to veterans who have defended our nation.

The law requires that, upon request, every

eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors

ceremony to include folding and presenting the

United States burial flag and playing of “Taps.”

The law defines a military funeral honors detail

as consisting of two or more uniformed military

persons with at least one member of the veteran’s

parent service of the armed forces. The DOD

program calls for funeral home directors to request

military funeral honors on behalf of the veteran’s

family. However, the VA National Cemetery

Administration cemetery staff can also assist with

arranging military funeral honors at VA national

cemeteries. Veterans organizations may assist in

providing military funeral honors. When military

funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired,

they are arranged prior to the committal service by

the funeral home.

For more information on military funeral

honors, visit militaryonesource.mil or write to:

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

(Military Community and Family Policy)

4000 Defense Pentagon, Room 5A726

Washington, DC 20380

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES

ELIGIBILITY/BENEFIT

Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMCs) are

issued to honor the memory of deceased persons

whom the VA finds eligible for burial in a national

cemetery. This includes persons who died on active

military, naval or air service; members of reserve

components of the armed forces, including Army

or Air National Guard; members of the Army, Navy

or Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; or

persons who at death were entitled to retired pay

or would have been but for age. Eligible recipients,

including the next of kin, a relative, friend or

authorized service representative may request a

PMC online by visiting eauth.va.gov/accessva or by

mailing or faxing a completed and signed VA Form

40-0247 (Presidential Memorial Certificate Request

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS10

Form), which can be accessed at www.va.gov/

vaforms/va/pdf/VA40-0247.pdf, along with a copy of

the veteran’s military discharge documents or proof

of military service. Requests sent without supporting

documents will be delayed until eligibility can be

determined. More information can be found at

cem.va.gov/cem/pmc.asp.

SURVIVING SPOUSES, CHILDREN ANDPARENTS

If you’re the surviving spouse, child or parent of

a service member who died in the line of duty, or

the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-

related injury or illness, you may be eligible for a

tax-free monetary benefit called Dependency and

Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

ELIGIBILITY

Surviving Spouses

You may be able to get DIC as a surviving spouse

if you meet the following requirements.

One of these must be true:

• You lived with the Veteran or service member

without a break until their death, or

• If you’re separated, you weren’t at fault

fortheseparation

And one of these must be true:

• You married the Veteran or service member

within 15 years of their discharge from the

period of military service during which the

qualifying illness or injury started or got

worse, or

• You were married to the Veteran or service

member for at least 1 year, or

• You had a child with the Veteran or

servicemember

Note: If you remarried, you can receive or

continue to receive compensation if one of these

describes you:

• You remarried on or after Dec. 16, 2003, and

you were 57 years of age or older at the time

you remarried, or

• You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and

you were 55 years of age or older at the time

you remarried

Surviving Children

You may be able to get DIC as a surviving child

ifyou meet the following requirements.

All of these must be true. You:

• You aren’t married, and

• You aren’t included on the surviving

spouse’scompensation, and

• You’re under the age of 18 (or under

theageof23 if attending school)

Note: If you were adopted out of the Veteran’s or

service member’s family, but meet all other eligibility

criteria, you still qualify for compensation.

Surviving Parents

You may be able to get DIC as a surviving parent if

both of the following descriptions are true for you:

• You’re the biological, adoptive or foster

parentof the Veteran or service member.

• Your income is below a certain amount.

Note: For VA purposes, a foster parent is defined

as someone who served in the role of a parent to

the veteran or service member before their last

entry into active service.

In addition to the requirements above for a

surviving spouse, child or parent, evidence must be

provided that one of the descriptions below is true

for the veteran or service member. Evidence may

include documents like military service records,

doctor’s reports and medical test results.

• The service member died from an injury or

illness while on active duty or in the line of

duty while on active duty for training, or

• The service member died from an injury or

certain illnesses in the line of duty while on

inactive training, or

• The veteran died from a service-connected

illness or injury.

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS12

For a surviving spouse or child only, if the

veteran’s eligibility was due to a service-connected

disability rated as totally disabling, one of the

following descriptions must be true. They must

havehad this rating:

• For at least 10 years before their death, or

• Since their release from active duty and for

at least five years immediately before their

death, or

• For at least one year before their death if they

were a former prisoner of war who died after

Sept. 30, 1999.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DIC

The application you fill out will depend on your

survivor status, but first, you should submit VA Form

21-0966 (Intent to File a Claim for Compensation

and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC),

otherwise known as an Intent To File (ITF) form,

before you apply for DIC benefits. This can give

you the time you need to gather your evidence

while avoiding a later potential effective date for

your benefit to start and possibly receive retroactive

payments (payments that start at a point in the past).

The ITF form can be accessed at www.vba.va.gov/

pubs/forms/VBA-21-0966-ARE.pdf.

If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a

service member who died while on active duty,

your military casualty assistance officer will help

you to complete an Application for DIC, Death

Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving

Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a), which can

be accessed at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-

21P-534a-ARE.pdf.

If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a

Veteran,

fill out an Application for DIC, Death

Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form

21P-534EZ), which can be accessed at www.vba.

va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534EZ-ARE.pdf.

If you’re a surviving parent, fill out an

Application for Dependency and Indemnity

Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535),

which can be accessed at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/

forms/VBA-21P-535-ARE.pdf.

NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED DEATHPENSION

The Survivor’s Pension benefit, which may also

be referred to as a Non-Service-Connected Death

Pension, is an income-based, tax-free monetary

benefit payable to a low-income, unremarried

surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren)

ofa deceased Veteran with wartime service.

ELIGIBILITY

The deceased Veteran must have met one of the

following military service requirements:

• Entered active duty on or before Sept. 7,

1980, and served at least 90 days on active

military service, with at least one day during

a wartime period, or

• Entered active duty after Sept. 7, 1980, and

served at least 24 months or the full period

for which you were called or ordered to

active duty (with some exceptions), with at

least one day during a wartime period or,

• Was an officer and started on active duty

after Oct. 16, 1981, and hadn’t previously

served on active duty for at least 24 months.

The Survivor’s Pension is also based on yearly

family income and net worth requirements that

meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net

worth equals the value of everything you own

(except your house, your car and most home

furnishings), minus any debt you owe.

While an unremarried spouse is eligible at any

age, a child of a deceased wartime veteran must be

one of the following:

• Under age 18, or

• Under age 23 if attending a VA-approved

school, or

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS14

• Deemed permanently incapable of self-

support due to a disability before age 18.

EDUCATION

FRY SCHOLARSHIP

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry

Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

to the children and surviving spouses of service

members who died in the line of duty while

on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. Eligible

beneficiaries attending school may receive

upto36months of benefits at the 100% level.

Eligibility

Children and surviving spouses of an active-duty

member of the armed forces who died in the line

of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible for

this benefit.

Children

Children are eligible as of their 18th birthday

(unless they have already graduated from high

school). A child may be married or over age 23

and still be eligible. If they became eligible before

Jan. 1, 2013, their eligibility ends on their 33rd

birthday. The age limitation is removed if the

child became eligible on or after Jan. 1, 2013.

Spouses

Although surviving spouses do not have a time

limit with which to use their benefits, they will lose

eligibility to this benefit upon remarriage.

SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) provides

education and training opportunities to eligible

dependents of certain veterans. These benefits

may be used for degree and certificate programs,

apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Spouses

may also qualify for correspondence courses.

Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be

approved under certain circumstances.

Eligibility

You can get benefits if you meet one of the following

requirements. You’re the child or spouse of:

• A veteran who died or who’s permanently and

totally disabled as the result of active service.

• A veteran who was permanently and totally

disabled as the result of active service and

who died while in this condition.

• A service member hospitalized or receiving

outpatient treatment for a service-connected

permanent and total disability who is likely

to be discharged for that disability.

• A service member missing in action or

captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.

• A service member forcibly detained (held) or

interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity.

If you’re the child of the veteran or service

member:

• You can get benefits if you’re between ages 18

and 26, except in certain cases. You may be

married or unmarried.

• If you’re over age 18 and using DEA, you can’t

get DIC.

• If you join the military, you can’t use this

benefit while on active duty, and you must

not be discharged under dishonorable

conditions. Military service can extend

youreligibility, but this increase doesn’t

usually go past your 31st birthday.

If you’re the spouse of the veteran or service

member:

• Your benefits start on the date we conclude

that you qualify or on the date of the veteran’s

death, and last for 10 years.

• If the VA rated the veteran as permanently and

totally disabled, with an effective date that’s

three years after discharge, you’ll qualify for

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS16

benefits for 20 years from that effective date.

This new policy began on Oct. 10, 2008. The

VA won’t pay benefits for training you started

before this date.

• If the service member died on active duty, your

benefits end 20 years from the date of death.

• You can get DIC payments from the VA

anduse DEA benefits.

Work-Study Program

Full-time or three-quarters-time DEA

participants in a college degree, vocational or

professional program can “earn while you learn”

with a VA work-study allowance. Participants

may elect to be paid in advance for 40% of the

number of hours in the work-study agreement

or for 50 hours, whichever is less. After the

hours covered by the first payment, the VA will

pay each time 50 hours of service are completed

or biweekly, whichever comes first. Under the

supervision of a VA employee, participants must

provide services related to VA work. The VA will

select students for the work-study program based

on different factors. Such factors include:

• Ability of the student to complete the

work-study contract before the end of their

eligibility to education benefits.

• Job availability within normal commuting

distance to the student.

The number of applicants selected will depend

on the availability of VA-related work at their

school or at VA facilities in their area. Veterans

with service-connected disabilities of at least 30%

may be given priority consideration.

Counseling Services

The VA may provide counseling services to help

an eligible dependent pursue an educational or

vocational objective.

Additional Assistance

Those eligible for DEA benefits may also be

eligible for the following additional assistance:

Special Restorative Training: The VA may

prescribe special restorative training where needed

to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or

mental disability for the purpose of enabling an

eligible person to pursue a program of education,

special vocational program or other appropriate

goal. Medical care and treatment or psychiatric

treatments are not included.

Special Vocational Training: The VA may also

approve these benefits for an eligible person who

is not in need of special restorative training but

who requires such a program because of a mental

or physical disability.

MONTGOMERY GI BILL DEATH BENEFIT

The VA will pay a special Montgomery GI Bill

death benefit to a designated survivor in the event

of a service-connected death while on active duty

or within one year after discharge or release.

The deceased must either have been entitled to

educational assistance under the Montgomery

GI Bill program or a participant in the program

who would have been so entitled but for the high

school diploma or length-of-service requirement.

The amount paid will be equal to the participant’s

actual military pay reduction, less any education

and accrued benefits paid.

HOME LOAN GUARANTY

The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran

who died in service or as the result of a service-

connected disability may be eligible for a VA

guaranteed loan by a private lender.

The loan may be used to either:

• Purchase, construct or improve a home.

• Purchase a manufactured home and/or lot.

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS18

• Refinance existing mortgages or other liens of

record on a dwelling owned by the surviving

spouse as their home.

You may apply for this benefit using VA Form

26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan

Guaranty Eligibility—Unmarried Surviving

Spouses), which can be accessed at www.vba.

va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-26-1817-ARE.pdf, and

submitting it at the nearest DAV national service

office, or the application form may be completed

at va.gov.

MEDICAL CARE

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the

Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a

comprehensive health care program in which the

VA shares the cost of covered health care services

and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The

program is administered by the Veterans Health

Administration Office of Community Care (VHA

OCC) in Denver.

Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and

the DOD TRICARE program, the two are often

mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a VA

program while TRICARE is a regionally managed

health care program for active-duty and retired

members of the uniformed services, their families

and survivors. In some cases, a veteran may appear

to be eligible for both or either program on paper;

however, if you are a military retiree or the spouse

of a veteran who was killed in action, you are and

will always be a TRICARE beneficiary and cannot

choose between the two programs.

CHAMPVA is always the secondary payer

to Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare

at any age and for any reason, you must enroll

in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to

keep your CHAMPVA benefits. Social Security

Administration documentation of enrollment in

both Part A and Part B is required by CHAMPVA.

You are not required to enroll in Medicare Part D

in order to become or remain CHAMPVA eligible.

To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be

eligible for TRICARE and you must be in one of

these categories:

• The spouse or child of a veteran who has

been rated permanently and totally disabled

for a service-connected disability by a VA

regional office.

• The surviving spouse or child of a veteran

who died from a VA-rated service-connected

disability.

• The surviving spouse or child of a veteran

who was at the time of death rated

permanently and totally disabled from a

service-connected disability.

• The surviving spouse or child of a military

member who died in the line of duty, not due

to misconduct. (In most of these cases, these

family members are eligible for TRICARE,

not CHAMPVA.)

An eligible CHAMPVA sponsor may be entitled

to receive medical care through the VA health

care system based on their own veteran status.

If the eligible CHAMPVA sponsor is the spouse

of another eligible CHAMPVA sponsor, both

may now be eligible for CHAMPVA benefits. In

each instance where the eligible spouse requires

medical attention, they may choose the VA health

care system or coverage under CHAMPVA for

their health care needs.

For additional information or to apply

for CHAMPVA benefits, visit va.gov/

COMMUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/

champva/index.asp or call 1-800-733-8387.

LIFE INSURANCE

For information about government life insurance

or how to file an insurance benefit claim, visit

benefits.va.gov/insurance/index.asp or call the

SURVIVORS/DEPENDENTS BENEFITS20

VA Insurance Center in Philadelphia toll-free at

1-800-669-8477. Specialists are available between

the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time

Monday through Friday to discuss eligibility,

premium payments, insurance dividends, address

changes, policy loans, naming beneficiaries,

reporting the death of the insured and other

insurance issues.

Inquiries can also be submitted online by visiting

insurance.va.gov/ContactUs or by writing to:

Department of Veterans Affairs Insurance Center

PO Box 42954

Philadelphia, PA 19101

FEDERAL-RELATED BENEFITS

Civil Service Preference:

Certain surviving spouses

and mothers of deceased veterans may qualify for

hiring preference. For more information, contact

the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or the

employing agency.

Commissary and Exchange Privileges: These

privileges are available if you’re a family member

and one of these must describe you. You’re the:

• Surviving spouse of a service member

(ifyouhaven’t remarried), or

• Primary family caregiver of an eligible

Veteran (recognized under the Program

of Comprehensive Assistance for Family

Caregivers), or

• Dependent or survivor of an eligible service

member, or

• Dependent of an eligible member of the

Reserves

Overseas: Commissary privileges vary from

country to country.

21ESTATE PLANNING

LEAVING A LEGACY GIFT TO DAV

Capture the true meaning of life through a

beautiful and lasting legacy of care for your

injured military brothers and sisters by including

a bequest or beneficiary designation for DAV in

your estate plans.

There are 4.5 million disabled veterans

throughout the nation. DAV is America’s oldest

and largest organization serving injured veterans

from every era of war, and DAV is committed to

seeing that one day every veteran gets the help

and benefits they deserve.

Because of the generosity of our beloved donors,

DAV helps more than 1 million veterans every year

by helping them access the health care, disability,

educational and other benefits they’ve earned, and

by connecting them to meaningful employment

opportunities. Bequest gifts to DAV ensure we are

here tomorrow for today’s brave soldiers.

BENEFITS OF LEAVING A LEGACY GIFT

There is an unlimited estate-tax deduction, which

means you can leave an unlimited amount to

charity. The deductibility of a charitable bequest,

for estate-tax purposes, means that such a gift

actually costs heirs only what they would have

received after the payment of taxes, had the gift

not been made. This cost ends up being even less

if state estate taxes apply over and above federal

estate taxes.

When planning your estate, including ways to

avoid federal estate taxes that may be due upon

your death, remember that married persons can

leave an unlimited amount to a spouse, free of

federal estate tax.

LEAVING A LEGACY GIFT TO DAV

To leave a legacy gift to DAV, you will need to use

our legal name, address and tax identification

number, as noted on the following page.

22 ESTATE PLANNING

DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

860 Dolwick Drive

Erlanger, KY 41018

Tax identification number (EIN): 31-0263158

DAV GUARDIAN SOCIETY

When individuals include Disabled American

Veterans in their estate plans, they help to ensure

that we can continue our mission for years to come.

The Guardian Society honors individuals who have

created a special gift to DAV. These plans might

include a gift through a will, charitable gift annuity,

a trust arrangement, real estate gift or beneficiary

designation of a life insurance policy or retirement

account. Let us know if you have included DAV in

your estate plan and become a Guardian Society

member today.

The most common gifts recognized through

the DAV Guardian Society are outlined in the

following pages.

SUMMARY OF GIFT PLANNING OPTIONS

BEQUESTS

This is a gift through your will or trust for a

percentage of your estate, a specific dollar gift, a

contingent gift or a residual gift. If you already

have a will or trust, your attorney can add a

bequest at minimal cost by using a simple codicil

or amendment. Please use our legal name, address

and tax identification number.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

In exchange for your transfer of $10,000 or more,

this program would provide you and a survivor

with a fixed lifetime income, partially tax-free.

The donor can also claim a charitable income tax

deduction. Payments and tax advantages are based

on age (minimum age of 60); the older you are, the

higher the payments and the tax benefit. After the

beneficiaries’ lifetimes, the remaining principal

becomes a gift to the DAV Charitable Service Trust.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS, LIFE INSURANCE

ANDRETIREMENTPOLICIES

With a simple change-of-beneficiary form from

your bank, financial investment firm, insurance

company or retirement plan administrator, you can

name DAV as a full or partial beneficiary of such

assets. Use our legal name and address, and enter

our tax identification number at the appropriate

EIN or Social Security number line.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS

This is another gift plan that benefits DAV in the

future, while you receive an ongoing income and

significant tax savings. You can fund a Charitable

Remainder Trust (CRT) with a variety of assets

such as cash, real estate and highly appreciated

stocks. The Trust then sells the assets and reinvests

in a diversified portfolio, which pays variable or

fixed income to you and/or other individuals. After

the funder’s lifetime, the remaining value of the

portfolio becomes a gift to DAV. Advisers suggest

funding a CRT with a minimum of $100,000

in assets to help offset expenses incurred in the

creation and management of a CRT.

MEMORIAL AND HONORARY GIFTS

You can personalize any of these gifts to pay lasting

tribute to a friend or loved one. Just let us know the

individual’s name when you call or write.

ANONYMOUS GIFTS

Please let us know if you have completed one of

these giftsbut prefer anonymity.

BEQUESTS THROUGH WILLS AND TRUSTS

Did you know that 60% to 70% of all Americans

die without a valid will? Family members are left

to imagine their loved ones’ wishes, belongings

may be distributed improperly, and assets are

allocated according to state laws. Even if you have

a will, there are many reasons to review it over

time. A birth or death, marriage or divorce, a new

24 ESTATE PLANNING

executor or even a move to a new state can render

your will partially invalid, thereby increasing

probate expenses and dragging out the settlement

of your estate. You can also update your willto

include afavorite organization such as DAV.

Few people can support their favorite charities

as much as they would like during their lifetimes,

but most people can consider a bequest in their

will. What a wonderful way to leave your mark and

impact the lives of disabled veterans as your legacy.

Here are the types of bequests to consider for your

will or living trust.

Some people choose a revocable living trust as

their primary tool for final distribution of assets.

Your assets would be titled to the trust during

your lifetime, then the trust would dictate their

distribution to your heirs. An attorney must create

the trust, and it will be far more costly than a

will. However, the future savings in probate costs

may outweigh this expense, and assets will pass

more quickly to heirs. DAV can provide a detailed

brochure to help you decide if a trust is for you.

SPECIFIC BEQUEST

You describe what dollar amount, property or

other asset you want to leave to DAV. Keep in mind

that if you dispose of this asset prior to death, it

will result in an unfulfilled bequest.

PERCENTAGE BEQUEST

After final expenses are paid, you can designate

DAV to receive a percentage of your estate. This

is a safer option because all family, friends and

charitable organizations are affected equally, and

inflation will not erode your intentions.

RESIDUAL BEQUEST

You can also designate DAV to receive the

remainder ofyourassets after final expenses

andother bequests arefulfilled. This is a very

popular option.

CONTINGENT BEQUEST

It’s always a good idea to provide for a contingent

beneficiary in case a primary beneficiary does not

outlive you. Youmight consider DAV.

BEQUEST LANGUAGE AND LEGAL ADDRESS

Here is sample language to give to your attorney:

“I give, devise and bequeath to Disabled American

Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018,

tax identification number 31-0263158, the sum

of$

; or the following described property

towit:

; or percent of the

rest, residueandremainderof my estate.”

A CODICIL OR AMENDMENT TOANEXISTINGWILL

OR TRUST

If you already have a valid will, your attorney can

prepare a simple codicil. (For a revocable trust,

your attorney can file an amendment.) Here is

sample wording for a codicil:

“I (name) do hereby publish this as a Codicil to

my Last Will and Testament dated

Anything tothe contrary in my aforesaid Last

Will and Testament notwithstanding, I hereby

devise and bequeath to Disabled American

Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY

41018, tax identification number 31-0263158,

the sum of $

; or the following described

property, to wit:

; or percent

of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.

In all other ways I do hereby ratify and confirm

my Last Will and Testament as heretofore

published. In witness whereof, Ihave hereunto

set my handand seal this (date).”

(Add your signature, witness signatures and seal.)

ACCOUNT BENEFICIARY FORMS

If you would rather not revise your will or see an

attorney for simple gift planning decisions, there

is a way for you to help DAV enhance the lives

26 ESTATE PLANNING

of disabled veterans and their families. Consider

naming DAV as the beneficiary of certain assets

that can be transferred directly to DAV at the end

of your life without probate and without being

subject to estate taxes.

These gift ideas simply require a change-

of-beneficiary form from your bank, financial

company or insurance representative. You would

use our legal name, address and tax identification

number on the tax identification number line

or, absent that, the Social Security number line.

Nothing could be easier, and you can revise your

plans at any time.

LIFE INSURANCE

You can name DAV as a primary beneficiary

of your life insurance policy, or as a percentage

beneficiary (e.g., 25% or 50%), or even as a

contingent beneficiary in the event your other

beneficiaries do not survive you.

BANK AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS

You can also name DAV the beneficiary of a

financial account such as a checking or savings

account, a certificate of deposit, an investment or

a brokerage account. Simply contact your financial

company for a beneficiary designation form

(sometimes called a transfer-on-death or pay-on-

death form).

RETIREMENT PLANS

These are the most tax-wise gifts. Retirement

assets, such as an IRA, 401(k), pension or profit-

sharing plan should be the first asset to consider

giving to charity because of the tax costs of

leaving these assets to individuals. Without proper

planning, retirement plans are subject to income

tax upon your death and are includable in your

estate for estate tax purposes.

By designating DAV as the beneficiary of your

retirement plan, you can avoid income taxes, and

your estate will receive an estate tax charitable

deduction to offset potential transfer taxes at your

death. Your assets will pass directly—and at their

full value—to DAV, doing the most good.

All you need to do is complete a beneficiary

designation form naming DAV as the full or

partial beneficiary of your retirement account.

Remember, this form governs distribution of

these assets, not your will.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Fill out the form on the next page and return

toDAV National Headquarters, 860 Dolwick

Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018. Or simply call us at

1-800-216-9802, press 1, if you have questions

ortorequest brochures that give greater detail. You

may also visit our website at davplanmygift.org for a

large selection of estate-planning articles and ideas.

28 ESTATE PLANNING

NOTES

PLEASE ENROLL ME/US IN THE

DAV GUARDIAN SOCIETY!

Guardian Society members receive a certificate, lapel pin and

a window decal. Names are listed in the society’s newsletter,

unless anonymity is preferred. Your name can inspire others

to follow in your footsteps.

 I have included DAV in my estate plans using the legal

address (Disabled American Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive,

Erlanger, KY 41018).

Name(s)

Address

Date of birth / /

Phone

MY FUTURE GIFT IS IN THE FORM OF:

 Bequest in my will or trust

 Beneficiary designation through:  Life insurance

 Retirement plan  Financial account

 Other:

Optional:

 My gift is in memory/honor of

 I prefer to be an anonymous member of the Guardian Society.

 The approximate value of my gift is $

We realize circumstances change, and your gift may not be

possible in the future. Family and friends come first, and

that’swhy bequests and beneficiary designations work for

so many of our donors—you can change your mind at any

time.Thankyou again for your present plans.

 I need more information, please contact me at

 Please send me more information on

Mail to Disabled American Veterans,

860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018,

orcallus at 1-800-216-9802, press 1, to

inform usofyour plans.

31RESOURCES

PERSONAL FAMILY DATA

It’s in the interest of every family to collect the

information needed in the event of a veteran’s death

or incapacity. That information is detailed in the

following pages. Once this document is filled out

completely, it should be stored in a safe place, and

the veteran’s next of kin should know itslocation.

Maintaining this up-to-date record of the

veteran’s personal affairs and wishes can provide

an invaluable service to his or her loved ones at

thetime of their greatest need. Spouses of veterans

can obtain additional copies of this booklet for use

in gathering their own personal data by writing to

the address on the back cover of this booklet.

PERSONAL FAMILY DATA

Date Prepared

VITAL STATISTICS AND HISTORICAL RECORD

This is a permanent document. Print in ink or indelible pencil.

Full Name

First Middle Last

Social Security Number

Residence

Street Address

City State ZIP

Marital Status (check one):

 Single  Married  Widowed  Separated  Divorced

Name of Spouse. If wife, enter maiden name:

Occupation of Spouse

Date of birth

Day Month Year

32 RESOURCES

Birthplace

City or Town State or Country

Citizen of What Country

Usual Occupation

Number of Years in This Occupation

Industry or Business

Active or Retired

Father’s Name

Father’s Birthplace

State or Country

Mother’s Maiden Name

Mother’s Birthplace

State or Country

MY PREFERENCES FOR MEMORIAL SERVICES

Religious Denomination

Name of Preferred Clergyman or Reader

Church or Congregation

Location

State ZIP Phone Number

My remains are to be (circle one): Buried Cremated Donated

Newspaper Notice: My name as it should appear in the notice:

Which Local Newspaper

Lawyer’s Name and Address

Executor’s Name and Address

MILITARY SERVICE AND VA INFORMATION

Enlistment Date and Place

Branch of Service

Rank

Service No.

Military Job Specialty

Geographic Area of Service

Awards/Decorations

Discharge Date and Place

VA Claims No.

Compensation %

Pension Amount

Type of Disability

DAV CLAIMS ADVOCATE CONTACT INFORMATION

Name

Address

Phone Number

NAMES OF DAV CHAPTERS OR AUXILIARY UNITS

CONTACT PERSON FOR LEGAL AFFAIRS

The lawyer or trusted friend who may be consulted in regard to

my personal or business affairs:

Name

Address

Phone Number

34 RESOURCES

FAMILY RECORDS LOCATION

Birth Certificate or Other Proof of Date of Birth of Self and

of Each Member of Immediate Family (required by insurance

companies and Social Security Administration)

Naturalization Papers (and number)

Marriage Certificate (necessary in order to establish claims for

certain payments and benefits and in connection with the will

and also Social Security and VA benefits)

Divorce Decree, Death Certificates or Certified Copies Thereof

(in case of either spouse)

Other Important Papers

Will:  I have executed a will.  I have not executed a will.

Will Located at

Land Deeds

Home Mortgage

Automobile Title

Other

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I have executed a power of attorney dated

Month Day Year

Naming

Agent or Attorney-in-Fact

Address

INCOME TAX

Copies of my federal tax returns and related papers are located

Copies of

income tax returns and related

(Name of State)

papers located at

Copies of

income tax returns and related

(Name of State)

papers located at

36 RESOURCES

INSURANCE

I have the following types of life insurance:

 Government  Commercial  Both

Insurance Company

Policy Number

Amount

Payment Option

Policies Located at

Premium Receipts Located at

BANK ACCOUNTS

Type of Account

Checking or Savings, Joint or Individual

Location

Account No.

Name and Location of Bank

Make additional entries as necessary to show all bank accounts.

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX

Name of Bank or Trust Co.

Address

Location of Key

UNITED STATES WAR OR SAVINGS BOND

Located at

Person Designated as:

Co-Owner

Beneficiary

List War and Savings Bonds by Serial Numbers, Denomination

and Location:

(This is necessary to replace lost bonds.)

Stocks and Bonds and Securities

38 RESOURCES

ONLINE ACCOUNTS

List your login information for all the important online accounts

you use (banking, email, utilities, etc.).

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Account

URL

Username

Password

Attach additional pages as needed.

40 RESOURCES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CHAMPVA ......................800-733-8387

Direct Deposit ....................800-333-1795

Enroll online ....................GoDirect.org

Defense Finance & Accounting

Service (DFAS) ................888-332-7411

Headstones

(status of requests only) .........800-697-6947

Life Insurance

(VGLI and SGLI) ..............800-419-1473

Life Insurance

(all other VA programs) .........800-669-8477

Social Security Information ........800-772-1213

Telecommunication Device

for the Deaf (TDD) .............800-829-4833

VA Education TRICARE (formerly CHAMPUS):

• tricare.mil

• Call your nearest military installation

Find the DAV national service office nearest you

by visiting dav.org/veterans/find-your-local-office.

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

860 Dolwick Drive

Erlanger, KY 41018

859-441-7300

Toll Free 877-426-2838

GUARDIAN SOCIETY

860 Dolwick Drive

Erlanger, KY 41018

1-800-216-9802, press 1

NATIONAL SERVICE AND

LEGISLATIVE HEADQUARTERS

807 Maine Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20024

202-554-3501

TO GET HELP, VOLUNTEER

OR DONATE, VISIT

DAV.ORG

404002 (5/22)