Veterans Benefits Network-When Your Spouse Dies (2024)

kcpars0608 wrote: ↑

Mar 21, 2022

My husband was 100% P&T and just passed on 02/12/2022 due to service related health issues. I called the VA the next week to advise of his passing so I would not get his March benefit payment on the 1st of the month. Well today I received a letter informing me of repayment of some of the funeral expenses. I went to check my banking info and to my surprise beside the funeral expenses there was also a payment dated 03/17/2022 "VACP TREAS 310 XXVA BENEF 031722 XXXXX REF*48*VA COMPENSATION *SURVIVING" for the same amount of his disability payment. Why did I get this and will they be taking it back?

I don't have an answer but I'm sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss, you get it because he passed away on the 12th. My sister in law got a paper check because the VA retracted his payment.

Use a VSO and apply for your DIC benefits.

Be sure to file your paperwork for DIC.

Sorry for your loss. We are here to help in any way we can.

A Co. 2nd/2nd
1st Infantry
11/66-11/67

So sorry for your loss.

When my husband passed … I got the same thing.

If you haven’t already applied, please apply for DIC.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very sorry for your loss.

From your post, your husband passed 2/12/22 and you called the following week.

Somewhere around the 19/20 is when the cut off for changes to effect the upcoming payment, it’s likely your call, and action on it, was after that date.

However, since he passed of a service connected condition, you should definitely file for DIC. And if your husband’s disability pay was more than the DIC amount, your should request “month of death benefit.” Then, you will be able to keep the recent payment in lieu of the smaller DIC payment for that month.

kcpars0608 wrote: ↑

Mar 22, 2022

I just spoke with my VSO and since he was 10yrs P&T and I already filed for DIC and was in the system it is his last month of benefit . .

You get that regardless of whether he was P&T and regardless of whether it was for 10 years.

If he died as a result of his service connected disability the 10 year thing is a moot point as service connection will be granted for the cause of death. The so-called 10 year rule does not convey service connection. It only allows for the payment of DIC as if death was service connected. It does not provide for service connected burial benefits like a death that is actually service connected does. Make sure you apply for that benefit too.

Cruiser

Retired TopKick
100% P&T + SMC-K
SSDI (Now converted to Regular Retirement)
United States Army Retired (1974-2002)

"Never Make Anyone a Priority Within Your Life Who Makes You an Option in Theirs!"

kcpars0608 wrote: ↑

Mar 22, 2022

His death is service connected and I have already received his burial benefit. Per my VSO my DIC payments should begin 04/01/2022. I am already in ChampVA. Per the VSO since I was already in the system as his spouse on his original claim is why everything is being processed so quickly. Fingers crossed there are no SNAFU's

Sounds like you have a wonderful VSO working on your behalf.