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Veterans Benefits

 

Military veterans should take full advantage of the benefits offered by the US Government.

To start, the main link is https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/

Benefits range from adaptive living help, mortgage assistance, medical, clothing allowances, educational and job assistance, all forms of Insurance including Health and Life, Pensions, Family benefits, Fiduciary help, Debt management, Social connectivity to burial benefits.

These benefits are available to every service member and their immediate families. Medical benefits, in particular are available for veterans for ailments that are related to service but may not show up for years.  So it is imperative to review the site and claim any and all benefits.

 

Below is a direct copy from https://www.cem.va.gov/resources.asp and concentrates on death and burial benefits with appropriate links.

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Eligibility
The National Cemetery Scheduling Office has the primary responsibility for verifying eligibility for burial in VA national cemeteries. A determination of eligibility is made in response to a request for burial in a VA national cemetery. To schedule a burial fax all discharge documentation to 1-866-900-6417 and follow-up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117.

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Burial Flags
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a Veteran's military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for an other than dishonorably discharged:

  • Veteran who served during wartime

  • Veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941

  • Veteran who served after January 31, 1955

  • Peacetime Veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950 after serving at least one enlistment, or for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty

  • Certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951

  • Certain former members of the Selected Reserves

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Burial Allowance
VA burial allowances are flat-rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible Veteran's burial and funeral costs. A VA regulation change in 2014 simplified the program to pay eligible survivors quickly and efficiently. Eligible surviving spouses of record are paid automatically upon notification of a Veteran's death, without the need to submit a claim. VA may grant additional benefits, including the plot or interment allowance and transportation allowance, if it receives a claim for these benefits.

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Survivor Benefits
The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a variety of benefits and services to spouses, children, and parents of Servicemembers and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability. Click here to learn more about survivor benefits.

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Headstones, Markers and Medallions
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death. A Government-furnished headstone or marker may be provided for eligible Veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone. A Government-furnished medallion may be provided for eligible Veterans who served on or after Apr. 6, 1917 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.

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Presidential Memorial Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of deceased Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. If you would like to learn more, go to the Presidential Memorial Certificate page.

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Military Funeral Honors
The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. "Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation. Upon the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. Learn more

from National Cemetery Administration, Military Funeral Honors.

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