U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Edition VA Form 21P-530EZ, OCT 2024 (OMB No. 2900-0003, expires 10/31/2027) 8 pages

VA Form 21P-530EZ — Application for Burial Benefits

The claim a family member, executor or funeral home uses to get VA's help with a veteran's burial costs.

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VA Form 21P-530EZ · Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23)
The official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) form, edition VA Form 21P-530EZ, OCT 2024 (OMB No. 2900-0003, expires 10/31/2027) — blank
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VA Form 21P-530EZ (2024) Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23) — page 1 of 8
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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-530EZ?

VA Form 21P-530EZ is the application for VA burial benefits after a veteran dies. It covers the burial allowance (service-connected or non-service-connected, and for a veteran's unclaimed remains), the plot or interment allowance, and transportation costs from the place of death to the final resting place.

The person or business that paid for the burial usually files it: a surviving spouse, a child or parent, the executor or administrator of the estate, a funeral home, or another relative or friend. The form asks about the veteran, the claimant, the veteran's periods of service, where the veteran rests, the type of allowance claimed, and whether you want the claim handled under the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program.

FileIt fills VA's own PDF (OCT 2024 edition), putting names, Social Security numbers and dates into the form's one-character boxes, then files the result in the claimant's vault folder. FileIt never submits anything to VA.

Who fills it
The claimant: surviving spouse, child, parent, executor or administrator, funeral home, or another relative or friend who paid.
Given to
VA, online at va.gov or by mail to the Pension Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
Time limit
A non-service-connected burial allowance claim must be filed within 2 years after the veteran's permanent burial or cremation (the form explains exceptions).
Signatures
The claimant signs item 25A. Witnesses sign if the claimant signs with an "X"; an alternate signer can sign Section IX.
Edition
VA Form 21P-530EZ, OCT 2024 (supersedes AUG 2022), OMB 2900-0003
Pages
8: five pages of instructions, then three form pages.

Who needs to fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ?

  • A surviving spouse or legal union partner who paid for a veteran's funeral or burial.
  • A child or parent of the veteran who covered the burial costs.
  • The executor or administrator of the veteran's estate.
  • A funeral home or other third party that is owed or paid burial expenses.
  • A relative or friend claiming the allowance for a veteran's unclaimed remains.

When to use VA Form 21P-530EZ

  • After the veteran's burial or cremation, once you know the costs you paid.
  • When the veteran died of a service-connected condition and you claim the service-connected burial allowance.
  • When you paid for the plot, interment or transportation of the remains.

What you need before you start

  • The veteran's name, Social Security number, VA file number if known, and dates of birth, death and burial.
  • Your own name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, phone and email, and your relationship to the veteran.
  • The veteran's periods of service (dates and places entered and separated, service number, rank and branch). A DD214 helps.
  • Where the veteran was buried, and the name of the cemetery if it is a national, state or tribal one.
  • Itemized receipts for the burial, plot and transportation costs, and any government or employer contribution.

What’s on VA Form 21P-530EZ

The 2024 edition has 8 pages. FileIt asks for it in 10 parts, and it is signed by Claimant:

  1. Section I: Personal identification of the deceased veteranClaimant
  2. Section II: Claimant's informationClaimant
  3. Section III: Veteran's service informationClaimant
  4. Section IV: Information regarding final resting placeClaimant
  5. Section V: Claim for burial allowanceClaimant
  6. Section VI: Claim for plot and/or transportation allowanceClaimant
  7. Section VII: Claim certification and signatureClaimant
  8. Items 26A and 26B: Signing for a firm, corporation or state agencyClaimant
  9. Section VIII: Witnesses to signatureClaimant
  10. Section IX: Alternate signerClaimant

How to fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ, step by step

1 Sections I and II: The veteran and the claimant

Items 1 to 6 identify the veteran who died, including the dates of death and burial. Items 7 to 13 are about you: name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address, phone, email and your relationship to the veteran.

2 Section III: Service information

Item 14 has room for three periods of service: the date and place entered, service number, the date and place separated, and grade, rank or rating with organization and branch. Item 15 is for service under another name.

3 Sections IV to VI: Resting place and allowances

Items 16 to 19 describe the burial site and any government or employer contribution. Item 20 is the type of burial allowance and the place of death, items 21 and 22 cover an earlier allowance and responsibility for the expenses, and items 23 and 24 the plot or interment and transportation allowances.

4 Sections VII to IX: Certification and signatures

Choose the FDC program or the standard claim process, then sign item 25A and print your name in 25B. A firm or state agency completes 26A and 26B; witnesses (items 27 and 28) or an alternate signer (item 29) complete their parts only when needed.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Missing the 2-year time limit for the non-service-connected burial allowance.
  • Not ticking any type of burial allowance in item 20A, or not answering items 23 and 24.
  • Leaving out the veteran's service dates when no DD214 is attached.
  • Claiming the unclaimed remains allowance without answering item 22B.
  • Forgetting itemized receipts for transportation costs claimed in item 24.

After you fill it out

Sign item 25A and send the form with your receipts and evidence to VA, online at va.gov or by mail to the Pension Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.

If you chose the FDC program, send all your evidence with the application.

Keep the filed PDF and your receipts in your FileIt vault so you can answer any follow-up from VA.

Fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ 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 — 68 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-530EZ now — it’s free

VA Form 21P-530EZ: frequently asked questions

Who can apply for VA burial benefits?

The person or business that paid the veteran's burial costs, such as a surviving spouse, child, parent, executor, funeral home, or another relative or friend. Item 13 lists the relationships.

Is there a deadline?

The form says a claim for the non-service-connected burial allowance must be filed within 2 years after the veteran's permanent burial or cremation, with an exception explained in the instructions for a corrected discharge.

Can I apply for more than one allowance?

Yes. Item 20A says you may apply for more than one type of burial allowance, and items 23 and 24 cover the plot or interment and transportation allowances.

What is the FDC program?

The Fully Developed Claim program is an optional faster process: you certify you have sent all the evidence that supports the claim. Otherwise VA handles it under the standard claim process.

Where do I send VA Form 21P-530EZ?

Online at va.gov, or by mail to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.

Does FileIt send the form to VA?

No. FileIt fills VA's own PDF and files it in your vault. You sign it and send it to VA yourself.

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 2026-10-19.

Fill out VA Form 21P-530EZ online