Big changes for veterans’ families: What the new VA survivor benefits mean for you
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At The GrayVine, we know that for many of our readers, military service isn’t just a chapter in your life story—it’s the foundation of your family’s legacy.
Whether you served yourself, or you’re the spouse, child, or loved one of a veteran, the benefits and support you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can make a world of difference.
That’s why we’re here to break down the latest, most significant changes to VA survivor benefits—so you know exactly what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could impact you or someone you love.
What’s Changing? A Quick Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has unveiled a significant three-part plan aimed at making it easier and quicker for survivors and dependents of fallen service members and veterans to obtain VA benefits.
This overhaul involves moving the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA), introducing a tailored "White-Glove" Survivor Outreach Team, and increasing the use of automation within the benefits process.
Why Now? The Bigger Picture
Beginning this month, the VA will shift the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) from the Veterans Benefits Administration back under the Office of the VA Secretary.
This move reverses a 2021 decision made during the Biden administration which, according to the VA, had “buried the office under layers of bureaucracy and limited its effectiveness.”
As the VA explained, the 2021 transfer of OSA from the Secretary’s office to the Veterans Benefits Administration “creat[ed] a siloed system at odds with the intent of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.”
The purpose of the relocation is to reestablish OSA’s foundational role as a key advisory body with direct access to senior VA officials.
A dedicated five-member team will now offer guidance to the Secretary on matters involving survivor-focused policies, initiatives, and legislation.
What You Should Know
Also starting this month, the VA will roll out its "White-Glove" Survivor Outreach Team.
Operating out of the Philadelphia VA Regional Benefit Office, this group will be made up of trained specialists dedicated to helping survivors navigate the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process.
The VA stated that these team members will undergo specialized training and will “guide and assist eligible survivors throughout every step of the DIC claims process” with the aim of achieving a “yes” on DIC claim decisions for those who qualify.
This initiative is designed to bridge persistent communication gaps and ensure that eligible families receive tailored support from beginning to end.
In an additional effort to simplify access, the VA is also broadening its use of automation for DIC claims processing.
At present, the department is automating more than 1,000 DIC payments or adjustments on a daily basis.
According to officials, the new automation initiatives are expected to accelerate the claims process, cut down on delays, and simplify access for survivors seeking the benefits they’re entitled to.
The VA is also looking into further opportunities where automation could enhance the broader delivery of survivor-related services.
What People Are Saying
In the VA press release announcing these changes, VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized, “The last thing survivors need in their time of grief is frustrating red tape and bureaucracy. That’s why we are creating a better system to more quickly and effectively provide survivors the services, support, and compassion they’ve earned.”
What Happens Next
These new initiatives are part of the VA’s broader strategy to modernize and enhance how it supports the families of fallen service members.
All three reforms are scheduled to launch immediately or within the month, with full implementation continuing into 2025.
Resources:
Have you or your family ever navigated the VA survivor benefits process? What was your experience like? Do you have tips, questions, or stories to share? Drop a comment below!
Whether you served yourself, or you’re the spouse, child, or loved one of a veteran, the benefits and support you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can make a world of difference.
That’s why we’re here to break down the latest, most significant changes to VA survivor benefits—so you know exactly what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could impact you or someone you love.
What’s Changing? A Quick Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has unveiled a significant three-part plan aimed at making it easier and quicker for survivors and dependents of fallen service members and veterans to obtain VA benefits.
This overhaul involves moving the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA), introducing a tailored "White-Glove" Survivor Outreach Team, and increasing the use of automation within the benefits process.
Why Now? The Bigger Picture
Beginning this month, the VA will shift the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) from the Veterans Benefits Administration back under the Office of the VA Secretary.
This move reverses a 2021 decision made during the Biden administration which, according to the VA, had “buried the office under layers of bureaucracy and limited its effectiveness.”
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is relocating the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) back to the Office of the VA Secretary, reversing a 2021 decision that had made the office less effective due to added bureaucracy. Image source: Wesley Tingey / Unsplash.
As the VA explained, the 2021 transfer of OSA from the Secretary’s office to the Veterans Benefits Administration “creat[ed] a siloed system at odds with the intent of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.”
The purpose of the relocation is to reestablish OSA’s foundational role as a key advisory body with direct access to senior VA officials.
A dedicated five-member team will now offer guidance to the Secretary on matters involving survivor-focused policies, initiatives, and legislation.
What You Should Know
Also starting this month, the VA will roll out its "White-Glove" Survivor Outreach Team.
Operating out of the Philadelphia VA Regional Benefit Office, this group will be made up of trained specialists dedicated to helping survivors navigate the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process.
The VA stated that these team members will undergo specialized training and will “guide and assist eligible survivors throughout every step of the DIC claims process” with the aim of achieving a “yes” on DIC claim decisions for those who qualify.
This initiative is designed to bridge persistent communication gaps and ensure that eligible families receive tailored support from beginning to end.
In an additional effort to simplify access, the VA is also broadening its use of automation for DIC claims processing.
At present, the department is automating more than 1,000 DIC payments or adjustments on a daily basis.
According to officials, the new automation initiatives are expected to accelerate the claims process, cut down on delays, and simplify access for survivors seeking the benefits they’re entitled to.
The VA is also looking into further opportunities where automation could enhance the broader delivery of survivor-related services.
What People Are Saying
In the VA press release announcing these changes, VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized, “The last thing survivors need in their time of grief is frustrating red tape and bureaucracy. That’s why we are creating a better system to more quickly and effectively provide survivors the services, support, and compassion they’ve earned.”
What Happens Next
These new initiatives are part of the VA’s broader strategy to modernize and enhance how it supports the families of fallen service members.
All three reforms are scheduled to launch immediately or within the month, with full implementation continuing into 2025.
Resources:
- VA Office of Survivors Assistance
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Information
- Find Your Local VA Office
Have you or your family ever navigated the VA survivor benefits process? What was your experience like? Do you have tips, questions, or stories to share? Drop a comment below!
