Who is Eligibile?

In order to be eligible for Social Security benefits, the deceased must have credit for work that is covered by the agency, ranging from 1½ to 10 years. Individuals eligible to receive benefits include:

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
• A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years, or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled
• Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full time)
• Children who were disabled before reaching age 22, as long as they remained disabled
• Dependent parent or parents 62 or older

Payment for Funeral Expenses

A one time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above. This lump–sum benefit is paid in the following priority order:

• A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of the death
• A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of the death
• A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of the death

Apply for Benefits

To receive these Social Security benefts you must apply. If you wish, Davis–Babcock Funeral Home can answer any questions you may have as well as assist you and your family with any forms you need to secure all benefits. Just give us a call at 440.942.1122 or send us an e–mail if you have any questions.

You may apply at any Social Security office or by telephone. Use the Social Security website to locate your nearest office or dial the toll–free number 800.772.1213 and the operator will schedule an appointment for you.

Who is Eligible?

To receive veteran's benefits one must be a veteran discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and you must have completed the required period of service. United States Armed Forces members who die while on active duty are also eligible, as are the spouses and dependent children of eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and deceased armed forces members. Contact the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at 800.827.1000 for more information.

Should you desire, Davis–Babcock Funeral Home can answer any questions you may have as well as assist you and your family with any forms you need to secure all benefits. Please give us a call at 440.942.1122 or send us an e–mail if you have any questions.

Because we consider it an honor to provide services to veterans, we are pleased to answer questions about and assist with arrangements for the VA National Cemetery system and Arlington National Cemetery.

Additional contacts:
Lake County Veterans Administration: 440.350.2567
Cuyahoga County Veterans Administration: 216.698.2600

How Do You Apply?

Veterans benefits are not paid automatically — you must contact the Veterans Administration to apply for benefits. To make sure your claim is handled promptly and correctly, please have the following information ready when you call:

• Your Social Security number as well as those for all your dependent children
• Certified copy of an original DD214 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation)
• Certified copy of the death certificate
• Verification of the life insurance amount you will receive as a result of the veteran's death
• Paid receipts for hospital and doctor bills incurred by the last illness, if applicable
• Paid receipts for funeral and cemetery expenses
• If either yourself or the veteran was previously married, provide a certified copy of the original divorce decree or death certificate proving the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce or death
• If there are dependent children, you will need a certified copy of the birth certificate for each child under 18 or over 18 if full–time student
• If a child over 18 is still in school, you need to fill out VA Form 21-674
• If you or the veteran receive Social Security Benefits, the exact amount must be reported
• If you already have a VA claim number, you must furnish the claim number you have been assigned
• If you or the veteran receive additional income, the source and exact amount must be reported

Reinbursement of Burial Expenses

The Veteran's Administration will provide a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran's death is service connected. The VA will also pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service–disabled veteran to the national cemetery with available gravesites nearest the veteran's home. In these cases, the person who paid the veteran's burial expenses may claim reimbursement from VA.

The VA will pay a burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility or a nursing home with which VA contracted. Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be reimbursed.

There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service–connected deaths. For all other deaths, the claims must be filed within two years of the veteran's permanent burial or cremation.

The VA may pay a plot allowance when the veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. Government jurisdiction if:

• the veteran was discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty
• if the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been in receipt of compensation but for receipt of military retired pay
• if the veteran died while hospitalized by VA

The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service.

If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state–owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials, the plot allowance may be paid to the state. Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed.