How to report a Veteran’s death to VA

SFL Logo September 27, 2024

The passing of a Veteran is a solemn time that deserves to be recognized and reported with the utmost respect. Veterans have served their country and worked hard for their well-deserved benefits.

However, after a Veteran passes away, family members should report the death of the Veteran to VA as soon as possible to stop current benefits payments. If the death is not reported promptly, survivors or executors of the Veteran’s estate may have to repay any overpayments received. Payments the deceased Veteran received may include compensation, pension, education or Veteran Readiness & Employment benefits.

VA encourages loved ones of deceased Veterans to follow the guidance below on reporting Veteran deaths to avoid falling victim to benefit scams.

How to report the death of a Veteran

Calling is the fastest way to report a Veteran’s death so VA will stop benefit payments, but there are other options available for reporting.

Options for reporting:

  • By Phone: Call VA 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) and select 5. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
  • In Person: Go to a VA regional office. Find the nearest VA regional office. 
  • By Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444. Include your relationship to the Veteran and any supporting documents that can help us verify the Veteran’s identity. Examples of supporting documents are:
    • Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death 
  • If you report in person at a VA regional office or by mail, provide copies of: 
  • Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death.
  • Discharge document (like a DD214).

Provide as much information about the Veteran as you can when you first report the notice of death to VA. This information will help VA verify the Veteran’s identity. This information includes:

  • Full name.
  • Social Security Number or VA claim number.
  • Date of birth.
  • Date of death.
  • Branch of service.

Best practices to avoid survivor benefit scams

  • Save important files, such as the Veteran’s military service/treatment records, discharge papers and copies of their VA claims.
  • Go to the VA website. For guidance on creating an account and obtaining a VA security Personal Identification Number (PIN) to securely access benefit information. A VA Security PIN is an additional way to secure direct deposit accounts from theft and protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • Never give out PII via text, and be cautious of suspicious hyperlinks or unfamiliar hyperlinks.
  • If a survivor is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with a direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
  • Review all documents thoroughly. Survivors should never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. They should always review the completed form before signing and retain a copy of the completed form for their records.
  • For protection against identity theft scams, notify the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to update the individual’s credit report with a deceased notice and notify the Veteran’s financial institutions so all accounts can be closed or transferred appropriately.
  • According to AARP, scammers also use names published in obituaries to pretend to be long lost relatives of the deceased. When it’s time to write your loved one’s obituary, consider leaving out the birthdate, middle name, home address, birthplace and mother’s maiden name.
  • For other scams predators use, visit www.VA.GOV/VSAFE.

VA is committed to delivering world-class care and benefits to Veterans and their dependents by providing survivors with ongoing support and assistance. Check to see if you qualify for survivor benefits, such as health care coverage, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program, housing assistance, or even help with burial costs.

For more guidance on how to report the death of a Veteran, submitting necessary documentation and finding additional resources available, visit VA Benefits For Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, And Family Caregivers | Veterans Affairs.

To report a missing VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with a direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000. You may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if funeral homes charge to set up funeral honors or schedule a burial with VA’s National Cemetery Administration by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov. For other scams predators use, visit va.gov/vsafe.

Article Source: https://news.va.gov/133173/how-to-report-a-veterans-death-to-va/