Family · the week someone dies

Four checks. None of them files the others.

SGLI, SBP or RCSBP, VA survivor compensation, and burial are four offices. The casualty office does not submit all four. Start with the one that matches the policy you actually have.

1. 01

   Life insurance is the beneficiary’s claim

   SGLI, FSGLI, or VGLI pays the person named on the policy. The claim form for a death is SGLV 8283, filed with the insurer VA names on the SGLI page — not with DIC. If there is no policy, skip this door.

2. 02

   SBP or RCSBP is DFAS, not VA

   The Survivor Benefit Plan and the Reserve Component plan pay only if the member elected them. SBP is the retiree election. RCSBP is the 90-day election after the 20-year letter. Call DFAS retired-and-annuitant pay. VA will not start this check.

3. 03

   DIC is a VA form. Pension is the other VA form on the same hub.

   Surviving spouse or child of a veteran: VA Form 21P-534EZ. Died on active duty: VA Form 21P-534a. Parent: VA Form 21P-535. Survivors pension is the wartime, need-based benefit on the same VA page. It is not DIC.

4. 04

   Burial and accrued benefits are still separate

   A VA burial allowance or a national cemetery is not the life-insurance claim. Accrued benefits the veteran was due have a one-year clock from the death, on VA’s accrued-benefits page. File that with the DIC claim if it applies. Do not wait for the funeral home to do it.