On May 5, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the U.S. announced key reforms in the Veterans Survivor Benefits. The primary aim of the U.S. government behind these changes is to support the survivors of a deceased veteran during the time of getting Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims quickly and easily with the assistance of specialised professionals.
VA Announces Major Reforms to Survivor Benefits
For removing obstacles and simplifying the procedure of applying and receiving the Veterans Survivor benefits the VA has presented a three pronged approach. The reforms are making Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process automated, creating a “White-Glove” survivor outreach team and relocation of the VA’s Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA).
So, if you are a service member or survivor of a deceased veteran then you can read this article for getting full information about the three-major reforms in the veterans survivor benefits and services.
Veterans Survivor Benefits Overview
| Article On | VA announces major reforms to survivor benefits |
| Country | U.S. |
| Department | The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible survivors of veterans |
| Amount | As per eligibility |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly |
| Category | Finance |
| Official Website | va.gov |
Here are the three major reforms announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the veterans survivor benefits –
Relocation of VA’s Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA)
One of the major reforms announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the relocation of its Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA). In the starting of May, the OSA will be moved to the Office of the VA Secretary which was earlier located at the Veterans Benefits Administration. The transfer of the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) from the Office of the VA Secretary to the Veterans Benefits Administration was formerly performed by the Administration of Joe Biden in 2021.
Thus, as per the Department of Veterans Affairs, this action of the Biden administration had slowed down the process of veterans survivor benefits claims and increased paperwork at the office. Due to this, the survivors of fallen service members had to wait for a long period of time to get the survivor benefits and services.
But, now the main intent of VA is to provide direct power to the VA’s secretary so that the original role of the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) can be restored and it becomes the central advisory body of the Veterans Affairs. In addition, according to new reforms, each and every concern about the legislative problems, programs and policies of survivors benefits will now be managed by the VA secretary who will be advised by a five member team.
Creation of “White-Glove” Survivor Outreach Team
At the time of the Biden Administration, the officials of Veterans Affairs faced many difficulties while collecting details from the survivors of deceased servicemen and the survivor claims system also had gaps due to the absence of a systematic outreach process. So, in May’s starting, a “White-Glove” survivor outreach team will be built by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
This team will be specialized in assisting and guiding survivors of deceased veterans during the complete process of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims. To get “Yes” for eligible survivors on DIC claims will be the primary purpose of the “White-Glove” survivor outreach team.
The selected individuals of this team will be situated in the VA Regional Benefit Office of Philadelphia. The VA will provide effective training to the professionals of the “White-Glove” team so that they can provide personalized assistance to the survivors throughout the DIC claims process. Therefore, with the creation of the “White-Glove” survivor outreach team, the Departments of Veterans Affairs will be able to close long-standing gaps in communication.
Automation of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process
With the goal of performing the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process quickly, the VA, at present, settles over 1,000 DIC claims adjustments or payments daily through automated processes. However, the VA officials are now looking for more regions in which they can use the automation process for enhancing the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process and improving the experience for deceased survivors.
The main objective of automating the DIC claims process is to deliver deserving benefits to the eligible survivors, minimise delays and speed-up the complete process. In addition, through additional automated tools it will be made sure that no eligible survivors have left to receive their monthly veterans survivor benefits.
Primary goals of the VA behind the Veterans Survivor benefits reforms
According to VA Secretary Doug Collins, at the time of grief, the family members of deceased veterans do not want unnecessary paperworks and bureaucratic procedures to receive their survivor benefits and services. Hence, the primary goals of the VA behind the reforms in veterans survivors benefits is to create an effective system that delivers effective and quick survivor benefits service to the eligible recipients.
The eligible survivors of deceased veterans will get modernized support from the Departments of Veterans Affairs in the U.S. through the announced reforms in survivor benefits. Furthemore, the VA is planning to enforce these reforms promptly in May 2025 and the other process scheduled to complete in 2025.
Bottom Line
The three major reforms announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the veterans survivor benefits will enhance the process of providing survivor benefits to the deceased veterans’ family members. The reforms are making Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process automated, creating a “White-Glove” Survivor Outreach Team and relocation of the VA’s Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA).
The enactment of these reforms is set to begin in the starting of May 2025 so that the eligible recipients can get the survivor benefits fastly. The secretary of Veterans Affairs has also called these reforms a modern approach of VA to assist survivors throughout the process of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims.
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Ember Orion is a journalism student who loves to write about social security and government schemes. Ember’s dream is to become a top-level anchor in the USA.