The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced sweeping reforms to VA benefits for survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and servicemembers. The new approach aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, streamline claims, and ensure that families receive the support they deserve faster and with greater compassion.
VA’s new survivor benefits strategy
Beginning in May 2025, the VA is implementing a three-pronged strategy to improve the experience for survivors:
- Relocating the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to the Office of the VA Secretary.
- Creating a “White-Glove” Survivor Outreach Team to guide families through Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims.
- Expanding automation to speed up DIC claims processing and improve service delivery.
VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized the urgency of these changes, stating, “The last thing survivors need in their time of grief is frustrating red tape and bureaucracy.”
Relocating the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA)
Under the Biden administration in 2021, the OSA was moved from the Secretary’s Office to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), creating additional layers of complexity for survivors. In a major reversal, the VA will now move the OSA back under the direct supervision of the VA Secretary.
A dedicated staff of five full-time employees will work directly with Secretary Collins to:
- Advise on policies affecting survivors and dependents.
- Advocate for improved survivor support across the agency.
- Influence legislative initiatives to better serve Veterans’ families.
This move restores OSA’s independence and prioritizes survivor issues at the highest levels of VA leadership.
Introducing the “White-Glove” Survivor Outreach Team
For the first time, VA is establishing a specialized team based at the Philadelphia Regional Benefit Office. These experts will:
- Provide personalized support to survivors navigating DIC claims.
- Assist survivors at every step of the application process.
- Actively work toward getting to “yes” on benefit decisions for eligible survivors.
Previously, survivors often had to navigate the complex VA system alone, with no defined outreach process to assist them. This new “white-glove” approach ensures survivors are treated with the care and respect they deserve.
Automation improvements for faster VA benefits
VA is also advancing its technology to improve the survivor claims process. Currently, the agency automates over 1,000 DIC claims payments or adjustments each day.
Moving forward, VA plans to:
- Expand automation to process claims faster.
- Identify additional opportunities to automate benefit delivery systems.
- Reduce paperwork and manual errors that slow down survivor benefits.
The goal is to make the experience more seamless and compassionate for grieving families who depend on timely financial support.
What this means for survivors and dependents
The changes to VA benefits represent one of the most significant improvements for survivors in recent years. Survivors can now expect:
- Faster claims decisions with more hands-on assistance.
- Greater advocacy at the highest level of the VA.
- Streamlined systems that focus on getting families the support they have earned without unnecessary delays.
These reforms underscore a commitment to honoring not just Veterans’ service, but also the sacrifices made by their families.
Key takeaways
- The VA has relocated OSA back under the Secretary to better prioritize survivor needs.
- A new White-Glove Survivor Outreach Team will assist families throughout the DIC claims process.
- Expanded automation will expedite claims and reduce barriers for survivors.
- Survivors of deceased Veterans can expect improved access to VA benefits beginning in May 2025.
Families of America’s heroes deserve nothing less than excellence in service. With these reforms, the VA moves closer to that ideal.
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