Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children (64.105)
Program
64.105 Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children
Federal Agency
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1541, 1542, 1543.
Program Number
64.105
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist needy surviving spouses, and children of deceased war-time veterans whose deaths were not due to service.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Unmarried surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans who had at least 90 days of honorable active war-time service or, if less than 90 days during war-time, were discharged for a service- connected disability. Income restrictions are prescribed. A child must be unmarried and under 18, between 18 and 23 if in school, or disabled before 18 and continuously incapable of self-support. Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Needy surviving spouses and children of deceased war-time veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Military discharge certificate, marriage certificate, and birth certificate(s). Income and net worth must be limited as prescribed by statute.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
An application (VA Form 21-534) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office.
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized by the Regional Office.
Deadlines
None, but entitlement may be established from the first day of the month in which the veteran died if the application is received within 45 days after the date of death; otherwise, entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the claim.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A surviving spouse, or child must promptly report a change in marital status and income. Additionally, a change in schooling for a child over 18 but under 23 must be reported. Eligibility verification requests are sent periodically.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 247,784 survivors cases received pension. The figures for subsequent periods are: fiscal year 2002, an estimated 232,765 cases; and fiscal year 2003, an estimated 219,456 cases.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obligations
(Direct Payments) FY 02 $684,558,000; FY 03 est $683,631,000; and FY 04 est $675,523,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$6,497 annually, reduced by countable income for a spouse without children ($10,387 if in need of aid and attendance and $7,942 if housebound) and $8,507 for a surviving spouse with one child ($12,393 if in need of aid and attendance and $9,948 if housebound) plus $1,653 for each additional child. These rates were effective December 1, 2001, for the Improved Law Pension.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
38 CFR 3.3. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number: 051-000-00220-2.
Related Programs
64.101, Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans; 64.103, Life Insurance for Veterans; 96.004, Social Security_Survivors Insurance.
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) 273-7210.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
