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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

64.105:  Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children

Popular Name:  Death Pension

Objectives:  To assist needy surviving spouses, and children of deceased war-time veterans whose deaths were not due to service.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

64.105 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.

64.105 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:  About 94 percent 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:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $6,026 annually, reduced by countable income for a spouse without children ($9,635 if in need of aid and attendance and $7,367 if housebound) and $7,891 for a surviving spouse with one child ($11,497 if in need of aid and attendance and $9,228 if housebound) plus $1,532 for each additional child. These rates were effective December 1, 1999, for the Improved Law Pension.

64.105 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 64.101 Burial Expenses Allowance for Veterans;
• 64.103 Life Insurance for Veterans;
• 96.004 Social Security: Survivors Insurance.

64.105 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

64.105 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.

Obligations:  (Direct Payments) FY 99 $737,889,000; FY 00 est $707,003,000; and FY 01 est $683,070,000.

Budget Account Number:  36-0154-0-1-701.

Authorization:  38 U.S.C. 1541, 1542, 1543.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  38 CFR 3.3. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," Pamphlet 80-99-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number: 051-000-00217-2.

64.105 INFO 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. Phone: (202) 273-7210.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

64.105 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  No restrictions.

64.105 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.