E. What are the time limits to apply for accrued benefits?
F. What evidence should I submit?
the dates, nature, and costs of services or supplies provided,
the name of the deceased for whom the expenses were incurred, and
whether the expense has been paid, and, if so, by whom.
G. How do I complete my application?
H. What do I do when I have completed my application?
Exception: A claim for lump sum accrued benefits (benefits that were withheld from a competent veteran during hospital treatment,
institutional, or domiciliary care) must be filed within five years from the veteran's date of death. However, if the person who is
entitled to the lump sum accrued benefits has been declared incompetent by a court of law or Federal or State government agency at
the time of the veteran's death, the five-year period begins from the date of termination or removal of the finding of incompetency.
A claim for accrued benefits must be filed within one year from the date of death of the deceased beneficiary.
1. Furnish a copy of the death certificate unless the beneficiary died in a VA medical facility.
2. If an executor or administrator of the beneficiary's estate has been assigned, submit a certified copy of the letters of administration
or letters testamentary bearing the signature and seal of the appointing court.
3. If you are claiming reimbursement for last illness and burial expenses of a beneficiary, submit all bills and statements of account
covering the services and supplies that were provided in connection with these expenses. The bill or statement of account should be
submitted on the regular billhead of the creditor and show:
Print all answers clearly. If an answer is "none" or "0," write that. Your answer to every question is important to help us complete
your claim. If you do not know the answer, write "unknown." For additional space, use Item 26, "Remarks, " or attach a separate
sheet, indicating the item number to which the answers apply. Write the veteran's name and VA file number on all attachments. Make
sure you sign and date this application (Items 23a and 23b.)
When you have completed this application mail it or take it to a VA regional office. Be sure to attach any materials that support and
explain your claim. Also, make a photocopy of your application and everything that you submit to VA before you mail it.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been
authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (i.e., civil or criminal law
enforcement, congressional communications, epidemiological or research studies, the collection of money owed to the United States,
litigation in which the United States is a party or has an interest, the administration of VA programs and delivery of VA benefits,
verification of identity and status, and personnel administration) as identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22/28,
Compensation, Pension, Education and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA, and published in the Federal
Register. You are required to respond to obtain or retain benefits per 38 U.S.C § 501. The requested information is considered
relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38
U.S.C. 5701). Information submitted is subject to verification through computer matching programs with other agencies. You are
required to provide the Social Security number requested under 38 U.S.C. 5101(c)(1). VA may disclose Social Security numbers as
authorized under the Privacy Act, and, specifically may disclose them for purposes stated above.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine eligibility for payment of accrued benefits under 38 U.S.C. 5121.
Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. We estimate that you will need an average of 30 minutes to review
the instructions, find the information and complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid
OMB control number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed.
Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at http:www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. If desired,
you can call 1-800-827-1000 to get information on where to send comments or suggestions about this form.
D. Who may file a claim for reimbursement for last illness and burial expenses?
If there are no living persons who are entitled on the basis of relationship, accrued benefits may be used to reimburse the person or
persons who paid for or are responsible to pay the expenses of last illness and burial of a beneficiary. The claim should be filed by the
person or persons whose funds were or will be used to pay such expenses. If the expenses were paid from funds of the deceased
beneficiary's estate, the claim should be filed by the executor or administrator of the estate. If the expenses have not been paid, the
claim may be filed by the person who is responsible for the payment of these expenses. However, all unpaid creditors must sign
Section IV, Waiver of Reimbursement From All Unpaid Creditors.
VA FORM 21P-601, SEP 2019
IMPORTANT: If you are certifying that you are married for the purpose of VA benefits, your marriage must be recognized by the
place where you and/or your spouse resided at the time of marriage, or where you and/or your spouse resided when you filed your
claim (or a later date when you became eligible for benefits.) (38 U.S.C. § 103(c)). Additional guidance on when VA recognizes
marriages is available at http://www.va.gov/opa/marriage/.
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