Category: Veterans Administration

There are Burial Benefits Available to Veterans

There are Burial Benefits Available to Veterans

There are burial benefits available to veterans through the VA. Only about one in five veterans who died last year were buried free of charge in department or state-run veteran cemeteries. Less than half of individuals eligible for some type of burial or gravesite financial assistance took advantage of the benefit, says Military Times’ recent article entitled, “VA officials work to raise awareness of cemetery, burial services.”

“I want even more veterans and family members to know about and take advantage of the final benefits a veteran earns for their service,” said Matthew Quinn, undersecretary for memorial affairs at the National Cemetery Administration.

“They have the option to choose VA for their final wishes. And we will take care of them and their loved ones in a manner that mirrors their own dedicated service and devotion to our nation, in perpetuity.”

NCA officials are trying to emphasize VA burial services as the U.S. nears the 50th anniversary of the agency assuming control of national veterans cemeteries. There are now 155 such resting places managed by VA and another 121 funded by the department. However, the use of the burial benefits lags behind other well-known VA support services.

Quinn said several factors cause the low usage rate for burial services, including “family wishes” that multiple individuals be interred in the same plot. Only spouses and certain other dependents can be buried with a headstone alongside a veteran in a national cemetery.

However, other assistance — such as free headstones for veterans being interred at private cemeteries and free medallions for existing headstones to denote the deceased individual’s veteran status — are often overlooked because family members and funeral homes aren’t familiar with the benefits.

VA provided about 350,000 headstones for veterans’ graves last year, and another 12,000 medallions.

Quinn said while vets don’t have to use the services, those interested should consider applying before any of the services are needed to ensure they have the options ready.

“Applying for eligibility prior to the veteran’s death ensures that necessary service records are in order, so grieving family members do not have to search for military discharge papers while they are already under great stress,” he said. There are burial benefits available to veterans and your estate planning attorney can help you get the most out of these benefits as a part of your overall planning. If you would like to learn more about burial and funeral planning, please visit our previous posts. 

Reference: Military Times (Jan. 24, 2023) “VA officials work to raise awareness of cemetery, burial services”

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increase in benefits for vets next year

Increase in Benefits for Vets Next Year

A new plan, to be voted on by a House Appropriations subcommittee, asks for $113.1 billion in discretionary spending for VA programs in fiscal 2022. The plan should see an increase in benefits for vets next year.

That’s an increase of about 8% from current levels and about $176 million more than what President Biden asked for in his budget proposal released last month.

Military Times’ recent article entitled “House lawmakers back big budget boost for Veterans Affairs programs” says that if it were approved, the proposal would result in total department spending of more than $270 billion in 2022.

“This bill demonstrates a strong commitment to our servicemembers, their families and our veterans,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., in a statement accompanying the budget proposal release.

“It’s a blueprint to make our VA and military stronger and more responsive to all those who proudly protect America, now and in the past,” the Democratic Congresswoman said.

Total department spending is expected to be more than $250 billion in fiscal 2022.

This draft budget also includes $10.9 billion for military construction projects next fiscal year—roughly $3 billion above current year levels and $1 billion more than the president’s request.

House appropriators are expected to vote to pass the plan to the full chamber soon. A possible vote on the package is expected in late July.

However, it will likely still be months before a final budget agreement is reached on VA and military construction spending with the U.S. Senate.

The latest plan calls for $97.6 billion for veteran medical care spending, of which $778.5 million would go towards gender-specific care for women veterans ($73 million more than what the White House requested), $902 million for medical and prosthetic research ($20 million more), and $84 million for “whole health” initiatives ($10 million more). In total, it looks like a significant increase in benefits for vets next year.

If you would like to learn more about veterans health care and other related issues, please visit our previous posts. 

Reference: Military Times (June 24, 2021) “House lawmakers back big budget boost for Veterans Affairs programs”

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

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Information in our blogs is very general in nature and should not be acted upon without first consulting with an attorney. Please feel free to contact Texas Trust Law to schedule a complimentary consultation.
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