Fill VA Form 21P-534EZ online
Application for D.I.C., Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits
or choose your own copy:
- ✓ Official current version
- ✓ Free download, no account
- ✓ No card, no trial
- ✓ Never uploaded
VA Form 21P-534EZ in short
VA Form 21P-534EZ is the main application for survivors of a veteran. One form covers Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivors Pension and accrued benefits. VA says you can apply online instead of using the paper form, or mail it to the Pension Intake Center.
| Issued by | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
|---|---|
| Current version | Rev. August 2025 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | A surviving spouse, a child aged 18 to 23 in school, a custodian filing for a child under 18, or a disabled adult child of a deceased veteran. VA's DIC page says survivors of a service member who died on active duty use VA Form 21P-534a instead, with help from a casualty assistance officer. Parents use VA Form 21P-535. |
| Who receives it | VA's Pension Intake Center in Janesville, Wisconsin. |
| Where to send it | Online: VA's form page says you can apply online instead of sending the paper form, and the form lists QuickSubmit through access.va.gov for uploads. By mail: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365. In person: VA's DIC page says you can get help at a VA regional office. |
| Deadline | No fixed filing deadline, but timing affects payment start dates. The form says if VA receives your claim within one year after the veteran's death, entitlement generally starts from the first day of the month of death. Otherwise it is generally the date VA received the claim or your intent to file. If you file VA Form 21-0966 (intent to file) first, the form says a completed application received within one year counts as filed on the intent date. After filing, you have up to one year from the date VA receives the claim to send supporting evidence. |
| Fee | No VA filing fee. The form notes that an accredited attorney or claims agent can generally charge a fee only after VA has issued a decision on the claim. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The AUG 2025 edition replaced the JUL 2022 edition, which the form marks as superseded. It includes guidance on DIC re-evaluation for claims denied before the PACT Act took effect on August 10, 2022. VA did not publish a full list of changes.
How to fill out VA Form 21P-534EZ, line by line
| Section I, items 1A to 1H | Veteran's identification The veteran's name, SSN, date of birth, VA file number, service number, whether they died on active duty, and date of death. Item 1D asks if anyone has ever filed a VA claim. |
| Section II, items 2A to 2I | Claimant's identification and benefits claimed Your name, relationship to the veteran, SSN, date of birth, address and phone. In item 2I check DIC, Survivors Pension, accrued benefits, or more than one. |
| Section III | Veteran's service information Other names used, dates entered and left active duty, branch, place of last separation, Reserve or Guard details and any POW dates. Attach a copy of the DD 214 if you have it. |
| Sections IV and V | Marital information and marital history Details of your marriage to the veteran, how it ended, any separation, remarriage, and all prior marriages for you and the veteran. Leave a section blank if it does not apply. |
| Section VI | Children of the veteran Each dependent child's name, date of birth, SSN, place of birth and status, plus the custodian's details if they do not live with you. |
| Section VII | DIC Which DIC benefit you are claiming and any VA medical centers where the veteran was treated, with dates. |
| Sections VIII to X | Nursing home, income and assets, expenses Mostly for Survivors Pension and aid and attendance. Answer the asset questions and list income sources and unreimbursed medical expenses. Some answers mean you also need VA Form 21P-0969. |
| Section XI | Direct deposit The form marks this section as must complete. Give the bank name, routing number and account number, or write Established if VA already has your direct deposit. |
| Sections XII to XIV | Signatures You sign and date item 12A and 12B. If you sign with an X, two witnesses sign in Section XIII. An alternate signer uses Section XIV only in the cases the form lists, such as for a claimant under 18. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not attaching the veteran's death certificate. The form asks for it unless the veteran died on active duty.
- Using this form when the service member died on active duty. VA's DIC page points those survivors to VA Form 21P-534a.
- Leaving out income and asset information for a Survivors Pension claim, or skipping VA Form 21P-0969 when the form says it is needed.
- Sending original documents. The form says VA can no longer return originals.
- Missing the one-year window after the death, which can move the payment start date later.
- Leaving the direct deposit section blank. The form marks it as must complete.
- Not listing every prior marriage for both you and the veteran in Section V.
Questions about VA Form 21P-534EZ
Can I apply for DIC or Survivors Pension online?
Yes. VA's form page says you can apply online instead of using the paper form. You can also upload the completed form through QuickSubmit.
Where do I mail VA Form 21P-534EZ?
Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
Is there a time limit after the veteran's death?
There is no fixed deadline. The form says if VA receives the claim within one year after the death, benefits generally start from the first day of the month the veteran died.
What should I send with the application?
The form lists a copy of the death certificate (unless the death was on active duty), income and asset information, and any medical or service records that support the claim. Some situations need extra forms, such as VA Form 21-2680 for aid and attendance or VA Form 21-674 for a child in school.
Can a child apply on their own?
A child aged 18 to 23 in school or a disabled adult child can file. The form says a child over 18 claiming DIC must apply with their own application. A custodian files for a child under 18.
I am not ready to apply yet. What can I do?
The form says you can file VA Form 21-0966, Intent to File, to protect your date of claim. Finish the 21P-534EZ within one year of that.
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Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.