U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Edition VA Form 21P-0847, NOV 2024 (OMB No. 2900-0740, expires 11/30/2027) 2 pages

VA Form 21P-0847 — Request for Substitution of Claimant upon Death of Claimant

Continue a VA claim, decision review or appeal that was still pending when the claimant died.

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VA Form 21P-0847 · Request for Substitution of Claimant upon Death of Claimant
The official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) form, edition VA Form 21P-0847, NOV 2024 (OMB No. 2900-0740, expires 11/30/2027) — blank
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VA Form 21P-0847 (2024) Request for Substitution of Claimant upon Death of Claimant — page 1 of 2
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VA Form 21P-0847 (2024) Request for Substitution of Claimant upon Death of Claimant — page 2 of 2
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

What is VA Form 21P-0847?

VA Form 21P-0847 asks VA to substitute you for a claimant who died before VA finished processing their claim, decision review or appeal. VA's form page says to use it if someone you're connected to dies before VA finishes processing their claim and you want to continue it.

The instructions quote 38 U.S.C. 5121A: a living person who would be eligible to receive accrued benefits due the claimant may, not later than one year after the claimant's death, ask to be substituted as the claimant to see the claim through to completion. If you change your mind, the instructions say to write VA a letter revoking the request.

FileIt pre-fills your name and email from your vault record, splits names, Social Security numbers, dates and the ZIP code into the form's boxes, and prints everything onto VA's own PDF (NOV 2024 edition). You can sign by hand or with FileIt's eSignature, then mail it; FileIt never submits anything to VA.

Who fills it
The person asking to be substituted for the deceased claimant.
Time limit
Not later than one year after the claimant's death (38 U.S.C. 5121A, quoted in the instructions).
Mail to
Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365 (from the instructions).
Online option
VA's form page says you can submit the request online instead.
Edition
VA Form 21P-0847, NOV 2024 (OMB No. 2900-0740, expires 11/30/2027)

Who needs to fill out VA Form 21P-0847?

  • A surviving spouse, child, parent or other person who would be eligible for accrued benefits when a claimant died with a VA claim or appeal still pending.
  • Family members who want VA to keep processing a deceased Veteran's disability compensation or pension claim.

When to use VA Form 21P-0847

  • When a VA claim, decision review or appeal was still pending at the claimant's death and you want to continue it.
  • Within one year of the claimant's date of death.

What you need before you start

  • The deceased claimant's name and date of death, and the Veteran's VA file number, Social Security number and date of birth.
  • Your relationship to the deceased, your Social Security number, mailing address and phone numbers.
  • Optionally an email address and fax number, and any remarks about the pending claim.

What’s on VA Form 21P-0847

The 2024 edition has 2 pages. FileIt asks for it in 3 parts, and it is signed by Substitute claimant:

  1. Section I: Identifying informationSubstitute claimant
  2. Section II: Substitute claimant informationSubstitute claimant
  3. SignatureSubstitute claimant

How to fill out VA Form 21P-0847, step by step

1 Section I: Identifying information

Items 1 to 5: the deceased claimant's name, the Veteran's file number, Social Security number and date of birth, and the deceased claimant's date of death.

2 Section II: Substitute claimant

Items 6 to 13: your name, relationship to the deceased, Social Security number, address, phone numbers, email, fax and remarks. By signing you state you have an interest in the claim and are eligible to receive the accrued benefits and to be substituted under 38 U.S.C. 5121(a).

3 Signature

Sign item 14A (the form says do not print) and date item 14B.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting more than a year after the claimant's death.
  • Putting the Veteran's Social Security number in item 8, which is the substitute claimant's own number.
  • Leaving out the date of death or your relationship to the deceased.
  • Mailing it without keeping a copy: the instructions suggest copying the signed form first.

After you fill it out

Sign and date it, by hand or with FileIt's eSignature.

Mail it to the Pension Intake Center address in the instructions, or submit the request online instead.

Keep a copy. FileIt files the finished PDF in your vault folder.

Fill out VA Form 21P-0847 online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 25 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start VA Form 21P-0847 now — it’s free

VA Form 21P-0847: frequently asked questions

What does substitution mean?

It lets a person who could receive the deceased claimant's accrued benefits take their place, so VA continues to decide the pending claim or appeal (38 U.S.C. 5121A).

How long do I have to file?

The law quoted in the instructions says not later than one year after the date of the claimant's death.

Where do I send VA Form 21P-0847?

The instructions say to mail it to Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365. VA's page also offers an online request.

What if I change my mind?

The instructions say to write VA a letter to revoke your request.

Is this the same as claiming accrued benefits?

No. To apply for accrued amounts due a deceased beneficiary, VA has VA Form 21P-601 (a surviving spouse or child can also use VA Form 21P-534EZ). This form asks to continue the deceased person's pending claim.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

Fill out VA Form 21P-0847 online