veterans

Question 1

what is the burial allowance

Answer 1

a flat rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible veterans burial and funeral cost
- generally automatic upon notification on death
- can also include plot/interment allowance
- transportation allwance

Question 2

who is eligible for burial allowances

Answer 2

• veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

Question 3

what is the DD214

Answer 3

• certificate of release/discharge from active duty
• document issued from department of defense to service member when they separate, retire, or are discharged from active duty

Question 4

what information might be included on the DD214

Answer 4

• date/place of entry into active duty
• home address of time of entry
• date/place of release from active duty
• character of discharge
• duty stations and assignments
• medals and decorations
• qualifications, licenses, and certificates

Question 5

who is eligible to receive the benefits

Answer 5

• surviving spouse
• surviving of legal union
• children, regardless of age
• parent
• executor/administrator of estate

Question 6

how much is the benefits

Answer 6

• from service related death: up to $2k
• non service related death: $749 toward burial if in VA hospital for funeral expenses or $300 for expenses if not in VA hospital. and up to $749 plot interment allowance if not buried in national cemetery

Question 7

unclaimed remains

Answer 7

• entity responsible for burial entitled to $300 burial allowance

Question 8

how do you apply for burial allowance

Answer 8

• application for burial benefits
• attach form of DD214
• attach copy of death certificate

Question 9

burial flag

Answer 9

• no charge
• picked up at VA regional office or post office

Question 10

who is eligible for burial flag

Answer 10

• veterans with other than dishonorable discharge
• includes Philippine military forces
• veterans who were entitled to retired pay for service in the reserves
• members/former members of the selected reserves

Question 11

documentation required for burial flag

Answer 11

• discharge documents
• DD214
• another VA form

Question 12

Eligible to receive burial flag

Answer 12

• only one flag issues for each deceased vet
• next of kin
• surviving spouse, children, parents, etc

Question 13

documentation for headstone or marker

Answer 13

• VA form
• discharge papers/DD214
• muster rolls for pre WWI
• written authorization from NOK

Question 14

who is eligible for headstone or marker

Answer 14

• deceased veteran discharged under honorable conditions
• and other random exceptions

Question 15

who can apply for the headstone or marker

Answer 15

• federal regulation defines “applicant”
• NOK
• person defined in writing as NOK
• personal representative authorized in writing by decedent

Question 16

delivery of the headstone or marker

Answer 16

• shipped without charge to consignee on claim
• must be to a business with full delivery address and phone number
• not to PO box
• government not responsible for installation in private cemeteries

Question 17

presidential memorial certificate

Answer 17

• engraved paper certificate singed by the current president to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veteran
• initiated by JFK

Question 18

eligible recipients for presidential memorial certificate

Answer 18

• NOK and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veteran
• more than one can be provided
• apply by US postal service, in person at VA regional office, or toll free fax

Question 19

funeral honors

Answer 19

• requested by funeral director or national cemetery staff
• contracting procedures vary

Question 20

funeral honors services

Answer 20

• by law, minimum of 2 person uniform detail required
• by veterans parent service representative
• playing of taps
• flag folding
• flag presentation

Question 21

additional funeral honors for services

Answer 21

• rifle detail
• color guard
• pallbearers
• caisson
• military flyover

Question 22

who is eligible for funeral honors

Answer 22

• military members who died on active duty or in selected reserve
• discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
• etc

Question 23

documentation for funeral honors

Answer 23

• DD214, certificate of release, or discharge from active duty
• PHS personnel form
• NOAA personnel form

Question 24

burial at a national cemetery

Answer 24

• 134 VA national cemeteries in 39 states
• 10 in IL
• veterans, spouses, children, and parents may be eligible

Question 25

burial at private cemeteries

Answer 25

• may include: headstone/marker, burial flag, presidential memorial certificate, burial allowances, partial reimbursement for costs of funerals and burials

Question 26

scheduling national cemetery

Answer 26

• submit eligibility documentation by fax or email
• have as much information as possible before calling

Question 27

Arlington national cemetery

Answer 27

• first burial was in 1862 (William Christman)
• at first had wood, then galvanized steel, then marble headstone
• 30 funerals a day
• different events: public wreath laying, honor flights, veterans day, memorial day, wreaths across America

Question 28

military honors at arlington

Answer 28

• depends on rank
• firing party: those that perform honors
• dependent honors: casket team and military chaplain

Question 29

what is only at arlington

Answer 29

• president salute battery
• flyovers for pilots and aviators
• foreign head of state cordon ceremony
• flashing of wreaths in the tomb of unknown soldier

Question 30

social security survivors benefits

Answer 30

• statement of death by funeral director
• survivor must complete social security
• one time payment of $225 to surviving spouse living with deceased

Question 31

social security benefits are only payable …

Answer 31

to a person if they are alive for the complete month
- benefits are payable for the month of death

Question 32

always check for up to date information with social security junk

Answer 32

• US department of veterans affairs
• social security administration

Question 33

public assistance

Answer 33

• varies from state to state
• IL DHS “funeral and burial benefits”

Question 34

eligibility for public assistance

Answer 34

receiving or would have qualified for like one of a million groups

Question 35

services with public assistance

Answer 35

• funeral or burial claim
• funeral and burial reimbursement claim

Question 36

maximum amount paid by DHS from public assistance

Answer 36

• $1,370 for a funeral
• $686 for cremation/burial