Pension to Veterans Surviving Spouses, and Children

The Survivors Pension program provides monthly payments to survivors of wartime Veterans who have income and net worth within certain limits.

The Survivors Pension program provides monthly payments to survivors of wartime Veterans who have income and net worth within certain limits.

Unmarried surviving spouses and children of deceased Veterans who met the wartime service requirements or was a wartime Veteran who was receiving (or was entitled to receive) disability compensation at the time of death. Veterans who entered service after September 7, 1980, must also have met the minimum active-duty requirement of 24 months of continuous service or the full period to which the Veteran was called to active duty. Veterans discharged on or after October 16, 1981, must have served for two years or the length to which called to active duty, if less than two years, or have a service-connected disability (38 U.S.C. § 5303). A child must be unmarried and under 18 (23, if in school) or disabled before 18 and continuously incapable of self-support. (38 U.S.C. § 1542) Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance. (38 U.S.C. § 1543) A Veteran meets wartime service requirements if he/she served: a total of 90 days or more during one or more periods of war; 90 or more consecutive days that began or ended during a period of war; or for any length of time during a period of war if they were discharged or released for a service-connected disability. (38 U.S.C. §§ 1541, 5303A)

Qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of deceased war-time Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress.

No restrictions.

There are no restrictions.

Effective December 2004, entitlement may be established from the first day of the month in which the Veteran died if the application is received within one year of the death; otherwise, entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the claim.

Awards are authorized by the Regional Office.

Contact the appropriate VBA Regional Office for application deadlines. A list of VBA Regional Offices (including contact information, operating hours & services provided) can be found at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp.

The average days to complete (ADC) for original Survivor Pension in FY24 was 169 days. The ADC for original Survivor Pension claims in FY25 was 159 days.

In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.