VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23), is the claim form the Veterans Benefits Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses for burial allowances and related burial benefits. Surviving family members, the executor of the estate and, for unclaimed remains, the funeral home or other entity that paid for the burial file it. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF, its evidence notice and the online application are published by VA.
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What is 21P-530EZ?
VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23), is the Department of Veterans Affairs claim form for burial allowances and related benefits after a veteran's death: non-service-connected burial allowance, service-connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, transportation reimbursement and payment for the unclaimed remains of a veteran.
The PDF opens with a notice of the evidence needed to substantiate a claim (pages 1 to 5), followed by the application itself (pages 6 to 8). The application has nine sections: veteran identification, claimant information, the veteran's service, the final resting place, the burial allowance claim, the plot and transportation claim, certification and signatures, witnesses, and an alternate signer certification.
A burial allowance is a one-time payment toward funeral and burial expenses, and it covers all legal methods of placing the remains to rest, including cremation, burial at sea and medical school donation. The plot or interment allowance and the transportation reimbursement are separate one-time payments with their own conditions, which the notice sets out.
The edition printed on this page is OCT 2024, which supersedes the AUG 2022 edition. The form is not used for every VA claim: a supplemental claim for a burial benefit already decided uses VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplement Claim, and survivor benefits such as DIC or survivors pension use VA Form 21P-534EZ. A headstone or marker is requested on VA Form 40-1330.
Who needs to file 21P-530EZ?
Eligible claimants file Form 21P-530EZ. VA may grant a claim from any eligible person and, after the veteran's death, pays the first living person to file among these:
- the veteran's surviving spouse, or the survivor of a legal union with the veteran;
- the veteran's children, regardless of age (biological, step and adopted);
- the veteran's parents or the surviving parent;
- the executor or administrator of the estate, or a person acting for the estate when no executor or administrator has been appointed.
If the remains are unclaimed, VA pays the person or entity that provided the burial services, such as a funeral home. A firm, corporation or state agency can be the claimant; Items 26A and 26B apply when someone signs for it. Claimant Social Security number and date of birth are not required for unclaimed remains or when the claimant is a firm, corporation or state agency.
You check your relationship to the veteran at Item 13. Someone else may sign for the claimant in Section IX only when Item 25A is blank and the claimant is under 18, mentally incompetent or physically unable to sign.
Do not use this form for a supplemental claim on a burial decision already made (use VA Form 20-0995) or to claim survivor benefits (use VA Form 21P-534EZ).
When to file 21P-530EZ
File a claim for non-service-connected burial allowance within 2 years after the date of the veteran's permanent burial or cremation. If the veteran's discharge was corrected after death to "Under Conditions Other Than Dishonorable," the 2 years run from the date of the correction.
There is no time limit for service-connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, non-service-connected burial allowance based on a VA hospitalization death, or reimbursement of transportation expenses. For unclaimed remains, the evidence table requires VA to receive the claim no later than two years after the burial or cremation.
After you submit the claim in the Standard Claim Process, you have up to one year from the date VA receives it to send the information and evidence that support it. If you give no evidence within 30 days, VA may decide the claim before the year ends, and you keep the rest of the year to add evidence. Filing a "fully developed" claim in the FDC Program is optional.
Documents you need
- Proof of the veteran's death: a copy of the public record of death. Not needed if the death was in a government institution or if VA already has the proof of death.
- The veteran's cause of death, with the proof of death, when you claim service-connected burial allowance.
- A photocopy of the veteran's DD Form 214, Report of Separation (or equivalent) for all periods of service; it helps prompt processing and is not required if the veteran was receiving VA benefits. Service documents are not returned.
- An itemized statement of account or receipt, preferably on letterhead, when you claim transportation reimbursement. It shows the veteran's name, the specific transportation costs, the date of services and who paid.
- For a service-connected claim in the FDC Program when the veteran was seen outside VA: copies of private medical records, or completed VA Form 21-4142 and VA Form 21-4142a so VA can request them.
- In the Standard Claim Process, if you want VA to request private medical records for you: completed VA Form 21-4142 and VA Form 21-4142a.
How to fill out 21P-530EZ
Enter the veteran's identification
In Section I, enter the deceased veteran's name (Item 1), Social Security number (Item 2), VA file number (Item 3) and the dates of birth, death and burial in MM/DD/YYYY format (Items 4 to 6).
Enter the claimant's information
In Section II, enter your name (Item 7), Social Security number and date of birth (Items 8 and 9), mailing address (Item 10), telephone number with area code (Item 11) and e-mail address (Item 12). The Social Security number and date of birth are not required for unclaimed remains or for a firm, corporation or state agency.
Check your relationship to the veteran
At Item 13, check one box: spouse or survivor of legal union, child, parent, executor/administrator of estate or person acting for the estate, funeral home or other third party, or other relative or friend of the deceased (non-executor).
List the veteran's active service
In Section III, complete Items 14A to 14D for each period of active service: entry date and place, separation date and place, service number, and grade, rank or rating, organization and branch. At Item 15, give any other name the veteran served under and the service rendered under it.
Describe the final resting place
In Section IV, check the type of place at Item 16. Answer Item 17 (national or federal cemetery) and Item 18 (state cemetery or tribal trust land), giving the cemetery name and, for Item 18, the ZIP code, when you answer yes.
Report government or employer contributions
At Item 19A, say whether a federal or state government or the veteran's employer contributed to the burial. If yes, enter the amount at Item 19B.
Select the burial allowance and place of death
In Section V, Item 20A, check each allowance you claim: non-service-connected, service-connected or unclaimed remains. Item 20B, where death occurred, must be answered if you claim unclaimed remains; specify city and state where the form asks, and write "VA HOME HOSPICE" in the cases the form describes.
Answer the expense questions
Item 21 applies only if you are the spouse and asks whether you previously received a VA burial allowance. Item 22A asks whether you are responsible for the burial expenses. Item 22B is required only when claiming unclaimed remains.
Complete the plot and transportation claim
In Section VI, answer Item 23 (responsible for plot or interment expenses) and Item 24 (responsible for transportation expenses from place of death to final resting place). If you answer yes to Item 24, you must include an itemized receipt.
Choose the FDC or standard process
In Section VII, check the box that matches how you want the claim processed: the FDC program, or the standard claim process if you plan to submit further evidence.
Sign and complete signature blocks
Sign in ink at Item 25A and print your name at Item 25B. If you sign for a firm, corporation or state agency, complete Items 26A and 26B. If you sign with an "X", two witnesses complete Items 27A to 28B; an alternate signer completes Section IX only if Item 25A is blank.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every item against the veteran's records and the evidence you will attach, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit 21P-530EZ
You can submit Form 21P-530EZ and your supporting evidence by mail or online.
- Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
- Online: apply for VA burial benefits at https://www.va.gov/. The VA online application is at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/, and you can upload supporting evidence there and make the claim a Fully Developed Claim (FDC).
Send the signed, fully completed application together with the evidence required for each benefit claimed. To use the FDC Program, check the FDC box in Section VII; if you plan to send more evidence later, check the standard claim process box instead. If you add evidence after filing an FDC claim, VA moves it to the Standard Claim Process.
An accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or your state office of Veterans Affairs can help with the application; the lists are at https://www.va.gov/vso/ and https://www.va.gov/statedva.htm. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing a claim for non-service-connected burial allowance more than 2 years after the burial or cremation, unless the claim rests on a VA hospitalization death or the discharge correction rule applies.
- Leaving Section VII unmarked: you must check whether the claim goes in the FDC program or the standard claim process.
- Submitting a transportation reimbursement claim without an itemized receipt or statement of account, which Item 24 says you must include.
- Claiming service-connected burial allowance without the veteran's cause of death with the proof of death.
- Checking "Yes" at Item 22A without being the person who paid or owes the burial expenses; for an executor, this certifies that the veteran paid before death or estate funds were used.
- Skipping Item 20B when claiming unclaimed remains, or leaving out the Item 22B certification that applies only to unclaimed remains.
- Completing the Section IX alternate signer certification when Item 25A is already signed; it is required only if Item 25A is blank.
- Signing Item 25A with an "X" without two witnesses completing Items 27A to 28B with their signatures and addresses.
- Using this form for a supplemental claim on a burial decision already made instead of VA Form 20-0995.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA Form 21P-530EZ used for?
It is the Department of Veterans Affairs application for burial benefits. You use it to claim non-service-connected or service-connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, transportation reimbursement, or payment for the unclaimed remains of a veteran.
Who can file Form 21P-530EZ?
The veteran's surviving spouse or survivor of a legal union, children, parents, or the executor, administrator or person acting for the estate. For unclaimed remains, the person or entity that provided the burial services files. VA pays the first living eligible person who files.
What is the deadline to file for VA burial benefits?
A non-service-connected burial allowance claim must reach VA within 2 years after the permanent burial or cremation (or after a post-death discharge correction). There is no time limit for service-connected burial allowance, plot or interment allowance, VA-hospitalization deaths or transportation reimbursement.
Where do I mail the 21p-530ez?
Mail it to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365. You can also apply online at https://www.va.gov/, where you can upload supporting evidence.
What documents do I need to send with the application?
Send proof of the veteran's death, with the cause of death for a service-connected claim, unless the death was in a government institution or VA already has it. A DD Form 214 helps, and a transportation claim needs an itemized statement. See the required documents list for the rest.
What is the FDC Program on the burial benefits application?
The Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program is an optional faster process. You submit a signed, complete application with all required evidence and check the FDC option in Section VII. If VA needs more records, it moves the claim to the Standard Claim Process.
Can I fill out Form 21P-530EZ online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it, or use the online application on VA.gov. FillingPDF is independent of VA and does not submit the claim; you send it through VA's mail or online channels.
Who can sign Form 21P-530EZ if the claimant cannot?
An alternate signer completes Section IX, but only if Item 25A is blank. The signer must be a court-appointed representative, an attorney in fact or agent under a durable power of attorney, or a caregiver or institution manager, and the claimant must be under 18, mentally incompetent or physically unable to sign.
What if I disagree with a burial decision VA already made?
Do not file a new Form 21P-530EZ for the same benefit. If the decision was made within the past year and you have new and relevant evidence, file VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplement Claim. A higher-level review or Board appeal is also possible.
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