Request accrued benefits or consider substitution
Accrued benefits are qualifying amounts owed to a beneficiary before death. Substitution concerns continuing a pending claim or appeal.
Who this program may help
VA applies the statutory relationship order and expense-reimbursement rules. Not every relative or estate receives unpaid benefits.
Read official eligibility instructions1. Identify the applicant and pending claim
Your relationship and any pending matter affect the request.
Check the deceased beneficiary’s claims and your relationship before choosing a form.
Why this matters
A survivor payment and accrued reimbursement are different benefits.
VA determines whether you may receive accrued benefits or substitute.
Official references
2. Use the relationship-specific application
21P-601 is not an extra universal survivor form.
Use 21P-534EZ for a Veteran’s spouse/child, 21P-535 for a parent, or 21P-601 for another applicable accrued request, including expense reimbursement or a request after a surviving spouse or child beneficiary dies.
Why this matters
The 21P-601 instructions say not to duplicate a 534EZ or 535 application.
Documents for this step
- VA Form 21P-534EZ — Apply for DIC, Survivors Pension or accrued benefits
Veteran’s surviving spouse or child
conditional - VA Form 21P-535 — Apply for Parents’ DIC
Veteran’s surviving parent
conditional - VA Form 21P-601 — Apply for applicable accrued benefits
Applicable accrued request, including expense reimbursement or relationship-based requests after the death of a surviving spouse or child. Do not duplicate a 21P-534EZ or 21P-535 application.
conditional
VA reviews the requested benefit and applicant’s status.
Official references
3. Prepare the requested evidence
Expense claims need bills and payment information.
Provide service and death records or permission to obtain them; add expense statements or executor authority when applicable.
Why this matters
VA needs to identify both the beneficiary and reimbursable expenses.
Documents for this step
- DD214 or other separation records and death certificate
Submit or identify records for VA to obtain
required - Bills, account statements and payment information
Last-illness or burial expense reimbursement
conditional - Certified estate-administration authority
When an executor or administrator is appointed
conditional
The ordinary application limit is one year after death; specified lump-sum claims have a five-year rule.
VA may request missing expense or authority information.
Official references
4. Consider a pending claim before waiving substitution
Substitution can allow additional evidence in a pending matter.
Read the substitution explanation and seek accredited help if you need to understand a waiver.
Why this matters
Waiving substitution changes how the pending matter is considered.
Official action:
Read VA’s substitution explanationDo not treat accrued filing as an unlimited deadline extension.
VA decides the substitution request under applicable rules.
Official references
5. Submit the applicable accrued-benefit request
VA’s stated methods depend on the form and relationship.
Use the form’s current instructions; 21P-601 has an online option and pension-intake mail route.
Why this matters
Do not send every survivor request to a cemetery.
Official action:
Continue to VA for an accrued-benefit applicationKeep the submission confirmation and decision.
VA reviews the request and communicates its decision.