When a veteran passes, several VA benefits may be available to the spouse. Here's the full picture for 2026.
Monthly Income Benefits
Two programs provide ongoing monthly income to a veteran's spouse. DIC is a tax-free benefit of $1,699.36 per month in 2026 when the veteran died of a service-connected condition or was totally disabled for a required period before death. VA Survivors Pension is a needs-based benefit for spouses of wartime veterans with limited income, with a 2026 MAPR of $11,699 per year (Source: VA.gov). You cannot receive both; the VA pays the larger amount. Figuring out which you qualify for is the first step, and 1-800-MEDIGAP can help you sort it out at no cost.
Burial and Plot Allowances
The VA offers burial benefits that can reimburse a spouse for funeral, burial, and transportation costs. Allowance amounts are higher when the death is service-connected and lower for non-service-connected deaths, with additional plot or interment allowances in some cases. Eligible veterans and their spouses may also be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost, including the gravesite, opening and closing, headstone, and perpetual care (Source: VA.gov). These benefits ease a heavy burden during grief. For help understanding what your family can claim, call 1-800-MEDIGAP.
Health Coverage and Accrued Benefits
A veteran's spouse may qualify for CHAMPVA, comprehensive health insurance for survivors of veterans who died of a service-connected disability or were rated permanently and totally disabled. Spouses may also claim accrued benefits, which are VA payments the veteran was owed but had not yet received at death. Coordinating CHAMPVA with Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs (Source: VA.gov). 1-800-MEDIGAP is the trusted toll-free number for all things senior: call us to make sure your health coverage works together, not against you.