Accrued benefits evidence needed
VA accrued benefits are back pay that we owed a deceased claimant at the time of their death. The deceased claimant could be the Veteran or a spouse, child, or dependent parent.
If you’re a surviving dependent and you’re eligible to continue the claim or appeal, you’ll need to submit evidence along with your application for accrued benefits.
What the evidence must show
The evidence must show that you meet both of the requirements listed here.
Both of these must be true:
- We owed the deceased claimant payments based on existing ratings, decisions, or evidence that we had when the claimant died, but we didn’t make these payments before the claimant died, and
- You’re the surviving spouse, child, or dependent parent of the deceased Veteran
Documents you’ll need to support your claim
You’ll need to submit or give us permission to gather both of these:
- The Veteran’s DD214 or other separation documents, and
- A copy of the Veteran’s death certificate, showing cause of death
If a representative of the beneficiary’s estate has been assigned, we’ll need a certified copy of the letters of administration or letters testamentary with the signature and seal of the appointing court.
If you’re submitting a reimbursement claim for the beneficiary’s last illness and burial expenses, we’ll need a copy of all billing and account statements for services and supplies connected to these expenses. The billing or account statement should be submitted on the regular billhead of the creditor.
The statement must show these details:
- The dates, nature, and costs of services or supplies provided
- The name of the deceased Veteran who paid for these services or supplies
- Proof that the expenses have already been paid, and, if so, who made the payments