Report The Death Of A Veteran

The passing of a Veteran is a solemn time that deserves to be recognized and reported with the utmost respect. Although it’s a difficult time, it’s important to report the death of a military retiree promptly. Report the death promptly so that benefits payments could be stopped. If the death is not reported promptly, survivors or executors of the Veteran’s estate may have to repay any overpayments received. Payments the deceased Veteran received may include compensation, pension, education or Veteran Readiness & Employment benefits.

To Report the death of a retired soldier, follow these steps:

Step #1:
First Gather this information:
Full Name
Social Security Number
Date of Death
Cause of Death (Natural, Homicide, Pending, or Other)
Marital Status
Branch of Service
Date of Marriage (If you’re the spouse)

Step #2:
Report to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service:
Fill out the DFAS Notification Form online or call (800)321-1080.

Step #3:
Report to the VA:
By Phone: Call VA 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) and select 5. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

In Person: Go to a VA regional office. Find the nearest VA regional office. 

By Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.