VA Form 21P-10196: Burial Benefits & Allowances Guide

VA Form 21P-10196: Burial Benefits & Allowances Guide – VA Form 21P-10196 serves as an official legal summary outlining the key statutes and regulations governing VA burial benefits, plot or interment allowances, and transportation benefits for eligible veterans. Updated in October 2024, this form references relevant sections of the United States Code (U.S.C.) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to help survivors, funeral homes, and representatives understand eligibility and available support.

Families and representatives seeking to claim these benefits often use this summary alongside VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). Below is a comprehensive guide tailored for U.S. veterans’ families.

What Is VA Form 21P-10196?

VA Form 21P-10196 provides a concise table linking burial-related benefits to their legal authorities. It covers topics such as:

  • Death benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 501 and 38 CFR § 3.211
  • Burial allowances for service-connected and non-service-connected deaths (38 U.S.C. §§ 2303, 2307, 2308 and related CFR sections)
  • Plot or interment allowances
  • Transportation expenses
  • Special provisions for unclaimed remains, Philippine/Insular Forces veterans, and more.

Download the latest VA Form 21P-10196 here: VA Form 21P-10196 PDF (October 2024)

This form supersedes the March 2019 version and helps ensure claims align with current federal law.

VA Burial Benefits Overview

VA burial benefits (sometimes called veterans death benefits) provide financial assistance to cover portions of burial, funeral, cremation, or related costs for eligible veterans. Benefits include a burial allowance, plot/interment allowance, and transportation reimbursement.

These apply to various disposition methods, including traditional burial, cremation, burial at sea, and donation to medical schools.

Eligibility for VA Burial Benefits

To qualify, the person filing must have paid for the burial/funeral costs (and not been fully reimbursed elsewhere), and the veteran must meet specific criteria:

  • Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • One of the following: Death due to service-connected disability, death while in VA care, death while traveling under VA authorization, or the veteran was receiving (or eligible for) VA pension/compensation at the time of death.

Who can file? Surviving spouse (including same-sex), legal union partner, child, parent, estate executor/administrator, or certain other representatives.

Exclusions: Benefits are generally not available if the veteran died on active duty, as a member of Congress, or while serving a federal prison sentence.

Service-Connected vs. Non-Service-Connected Burial Allowance

Service-Connected Death:

  • Up to $2,000 for deaths on or after September 11, 2001 (or $1,500 for earlier dates).

Non-Service-Connected Death: Amounts adjust annually and depend on the date of death. For recent periods (as of 2026):

  • Deaths on or after October 1, 2025: $1,002 burial allowance + $1,002 plot/interment allowance.
  • Earlier periods have slightly lower rates (e.g., $978 for Oct 1, 2024 – Sept 30, 2025).

Higher amounts may apply if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA.

Plot or Internment Allowance

This separate allowance helps cover the cost of a gravesite, mausoleum, columbarium niche, or interment (including cremated remains) when burial is not in a VA national cemetery. It is available for eligible non-service-connected deaths in state veterans cemeteries or private cemeteries meeting criteria.

No plot allowance is typically paid for burials in national cemeteries.

Transportation Benefits

VA may reimburse costs for transporting the veteran’s remains to the final resting place, particularly:

  • To a national cemetery.
  • In cases of service-connected death or VA hospitalization.

Provide itemized receipts in the claimant’s name for reimbursement.

How to Apply for VA Burial Benefits?

  1. Online (recommended): Apply via the official VA portal for faster processing.
  2. By Mail: Complete VA Form 21P-530EZ and mail with supporting documents to the Pension Intake Center in Janesville, WI.

Required documents often include:

  • Veteran’s death certificate (with cause of death).
  • DD214 or service records.
  • Itemized receipts (especially for transportation).
  • Medical records if claiming service-connected death.

Time Limits:

  • No time limit for service-connected claims or certain exceptions (VA hospitalization, plot/transport).
  • Generally 2 years from burial for standard non-service-connected claims.

Surviving spouses listed in VA records may receive automatic payments in some cases.

For the most current rates and rules, always verify directly on VA.gov, as amounts are indexed to inflation.

Download VA Form 21P-10196: Official PDF

This guide is for informational purposes based on official VA sources. Consult VA or a veterans service officer for advice specific to your situation.