What a veteran's widow can claim, and who helps for free
Nobody hands you a list after a loss. This is the one I wish I'd had: the benefits, the deadlines, the rules about remarriage, and where to get free help. Every figure links to the official source. Tammy Couey
Help with a VA claim is always free. It is unlawful for anyone to charge a fee for preparing an initial claim. Report anyone who charges you: VSAFE.gov or 1-833-388-7233.
Don't miss these
Deadlines that cost money if you wait
1 year
File DIC within 1 year of the death and payment starts from the month he died. Accrued benefits (money VA owed him) must also be claimed within 1 year.
VA Form 21P-534EZ
2 years
Claim the $255 Social Security lump-sum death payment.
Call 1-800-772-1213
March 1
Every year: deadline to file Florida property tax exemptions with the Lake County Property Appraiser.
(352) 253-2150
5 years
An unremarried spouse must apply for the Florida veterans' spouse scholarship within 5 years of the death.
s. 295.01, Florida Statutes
If you remarry
Each benefit has its own remarriage rule
The age shown is the age at or after which remarrying no longer ends the benefit. Some benefits end with any remarriage.
DIC: the exact cut-off dates are Dec 16, 2003 and Jan 5, 2021.
Monthly VA payments
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Tax-free monthly VA payment to the surviving spouse of a service member who died in service or a veteran whose death was service-connected or who was rated totally disabling long enough before death.
Who qualifies
Death: on active duty/training; OR from service-connected condition; OR veteran rated totally disabling 10+ years before death, or since discharge and 5+ years before death, or 1+ year if former POW who died after 9/30/1999. Spouse: lived together without a break (or separated not by your fault) AND married within 15 years of discharge, or married 1+ year, or had a child together. Remarriage OK if on/after 12/16/2003 at age 57+, or on/after 1/5/2021 at age 55+.
How much
Effective 12/1/2025: $1,699.36/month basic (veteran died on/after 1/1/1993). Add $360.85 (8-year provision), $421.00 Aid and Attendance, $197.22 Housebound, $421.00 per child under 18, $359.00 transitional for first 2 years if child under 18.
How to apply
VA Form 21P-534EZ online (VA.gov/QuickSubmit), by mail to Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365, or via accredited representative. If received within 1 year of death, entitlement starts the first day of the month of death.
Tax-free, needs-based monthly payment for low-income surviving spouses of wartime veterans.
Who qualifies
Veteran: 90 days with 1 wartime day (entered on/before 9/7/1980) or 24 months/full call-up with 1 wartime day (after 9/7/1980); not dishonorable. Spouse: not remarried; continuous cohabitation (exceptions for health, work, or veteran's misconduct); married 1+ year, or child together, or married before a wartime fixed date; income and net worth within limits.
How much
MAPR effective 12/1/2025 (2.8% COLA), spouse with no dependents: $11,699/yr; $14,298 Housebound; $18,697 Aid and Attendance. Net worth limit $163,699 (12/1/2025 to 11/30/2026), home excluded. Payment = MAPR minus countable income; medical expenses deductible above 5% of MAPR ($584).
How to apply
VA Form 21P-534EZ; mail to Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365, online, in person, or via accredited representative.
VA health coverage that shares the cost of care for certain surviving spouses.
Who qualifies
Surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability, or who was rated permanently and totally disabled (service-connected) at death, or in some cases of a service member who died in line of duty; not eligible for TRICARE. Remarry at/after 55: keep it. Before 55: ends on remarriage date, may resume if that marriage ends. Medicare-eligible must have Parts A and B.
How much
Cost-share not published here.
How to apply
VA Form 10-10d online, fax, or mail to VHA Office of Community Care, CHAMPVA Eligibility, PO Box 137, Spring City, PA 19475. Phone 800-733-8387, M-F 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET.
Monthly VA payment for school or training for a spouse of a veteran who died of or was P&T disabled by a service-connected disability.
Who qualifies
Veteran P&T disabled from service-connected disability, died of service-connected disability, or died in line of duty. Remarriage ends it unless new marriage on/after 1/1/2004 at age 57+, or the new marriage ends.
How much
Effective 10/1/2026: $1,621.00/month full-time; $1,281.00 3/4 time; $939.00 half time. Up to 36 months (45 if started before 8/1/2018).
Education benefit for survivors of service members who died in the line of duty on or after 9/11/2001.
Who qualifies
Spouse of a service member or Selected Reserve member who died on/after 9/11/2001 in the line of duty (or as specified). Remarriage does not end eligibility.
How much
Up to 36 months; tuition, housing, books (amounts not stated on page).
State-paid education for spouses of deceased or disabled servicemembers.
Who qualifies
Unremarried spouse of a servicemember who died from service-connected causes; must apply within 5 years after the death; Florida DEERS home of record or Florida resident for tuition.
How to apply
Florida Dept. of Education, floridastudentfinancialaid.org, 888-827-2004 (phone per FDVA guide).
Surviving spouse (or others who paid). Non-service-connected death requires VA care at death, VA-authorized travel, pending claim, receiving VA pension/compensation, or eligible but receiving military retired pay.
Surviving spouse listed on veteran's VA profile is paid automatically; otherwise VA Form 21P-530EZ online or by mail. Non-service-connected claims within 2 years of burial (exceptions).
National cemetery burial for veteran and spouse (Florida National Cemetery)
Free burial in a VA national cemetery including gravesite, opening/closing, perpetual care, headstone, PMC, and flag.
Who qualifies
Spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran, even if remarried after the veteran's death; even if the veteran is not buried there. Divorced former spouses not eligible.
How much
No cost to the family for cemetery items; funeral home costs are the family's.
How to apply
Schedule via National Cemetery Scheduling Office 800-535-1117 (M-F 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET, Sat 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ET) with DD214. Pre-need eligibility: VA Form 40-10007. Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513, 352-793-7740.
Certificate of Eligibility letting a surviving spouse use a VA-guaranteed home loan.
Who qualifies
Veteran MIA/POW; or died in service or from service-connected disability and you did not remarry (or did not remarry before 57 or before 12/16/2003, per VA wording); or veteran was totally disabled and died (in certain situations).
How to apply
Receiving DIC: VA Form 26-1817 plus DD214. Not receiving DIC: VA Form 21P-534EZ with marriage license, death certificate, DD214.
$5,000 off the assessed value of property owned by any Florida-resident widow or widower.
Who qualifies
Any widow/widower who owns property and is a permanent Florida resident. Remarriage ends it; divorced before the death = not a widow(er).
How much
$5,000 assessed value exemption (Lake PA estimates about $100/yr savings).
How to apply
Lake County Property Appraiser, 320 West Main St., Suite A, Tavares, FL 32778-3831, (352) 253-2150; in person or by mail with copy of death certificate; by March 1.
Florida total homestead exemption for surviving spouse (s. 196.081 F.S.)
Full property tax exemption on the homestead.
Who qualifies
(3) Spouse of a veteran with service-connected total and permanent disability who dies first: carries over while spouse holds title, lives there, and does not remarry. (4) Surviving spouse of a veteran who died from service-connected causes WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY. Veteran must have been a Florida permanent resident on Jan 1 of the year of death (Lake PA).
How much
100% of homestead taxes; transferable (up to most recent roll amount) to a new primary residence while unremarried.
How to apply
Lake County Property Appraiser by March 1 with VA/U.S. Government letter.
Monthly payments to a widow(er) based on the deceased spouse's Social Security work record.
Who qualifies
Age 60+ (50+ if disabled), or any age caring for the deceased's child under 16 or disabled. Remarriage before 60 (50 if disabled) usually bars benefits; after 60 does not. Divorced spouse if married 10+ years.
How much
100% of worker's basic benefit at full retirement age; 71% to 99% from 60 to under FRA; 75% any age with child under 16. Lump-sum death payment $255, apply within 2 years.
How to apply
Cannot apply online. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), M-F 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., or a local office. Apply promptly.
Other Florida items (tuition waiver, state park pass, employment preference)
Out-of-state tuition waiver for spouses using VA education benefits; free lifetime state park Military Entrance Pass for surviving spouses of those fallen in combat; veterans' preference for unremarried widow(er) of veteran who died of service-connected disability.
Who qualifies
See what.
How to apply
School; staffed state park station; public employer.
income/asset info (VA Form 21P-0969 if instructed)
medical, last-illness, and burial expense records
SSNs
birth certificates
deceased's latest W-2
bank info
VA letters
two Florida residency IDs.
This guide is general information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules depend on the details of your situation; the Lake County Veterans Service Office can check yours for free.