Veteran's Benefits: How To Claim Them - a Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Funeral Home Resource

Planning Guides
Arrangements Information
Preplanning Questionnaire
Know the Facts
Funeral Preplanning
NFDA Tips
NFDA Prepay Tips

General Resources
Your Will
Living Will
Social Security Benefits
Veteran's Benefits
What To Do...

Grief & Support Resources
Basic Needs of the Bereaved
Dealing With Grief
Grief
Death of Spouse
Death of Parent
Death of Child
Support Groups
Help at Home
Support for Children
Support for SIDS
Legal Support

Veteran's Benefits... How do I claim them?
Military veterans and their dependents are entitled to a variety of benefits depending on the circumstances. Contact the Veterans Affairs office to determine what benefits can be claimed and then gather the information required. You can find contact information, forms, and detailed information online at http://www.cem.va.gov/burial.htm.

Before you can file you will need...

Certified copy of or original DD214 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation)

Certified copy of or original marriage certificate

Certified copy or Death Certificate

Verification of amount of life insurance you will receive as a result of veteran's death

Paid receipts of funeral and cemetery expenses

Paid receipts for hospital and doctor bills incurred by last illness, if applicable

Social Security number for yourself and your dependent children

If the veteran or yourself was previously married...
A certified copy of or original divorce decree, or a Death Certificate proving the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce or death.

If there are dependent children...

For children under the age of 18, or over 18 and still in school, you need certified copies of or original birth certificates for each.

If over 18 and still in school, you will need VA Form 2-674 filled out.

If either of you currently receive Social Security benefits...
You will need to know the exact amount received for each of you.

If you already have a VA claim number...
You must furnish the VA with the claim number you have been assigned.

If either of you receive additional income...
The source and exact amount of the benefits must be reported to the VA.

Important!
If you will qualify for Social Security benefits, you should go to the Social Security office before going to the Veteran's Administration office. Once you have all the forms and information that apply to you, call the VA office and make an appointment to file your claim.

Your Veteran's Affairs Office phone number is listed in your local telephone directory under: United States Government, Veterans Affairs Department. Toll-free telephone service is available throughout the United States, at (800) 827-1000.

If we may be of assistance to you or your family in any way, do not hesitate to contact us.

Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Funeral Home
5108 "F" Street • Omaha, NE 68117 • Phone: (402) 731-1234 • Fax: (402) 734-2081