The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new strategy to improve the process for survivors and dependents of deceased veterans and servicemembers seeking benefits. This initiative aims to remove barriers and streamline applications, focusing on three key areas.
The first change involves relocating the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) from the Veterans Benefits Administration back to the Office of the VA Secretary. This move reverses a previous decision made during the Biden administration in 2021, which had placed OSA under additional bureaucratic layers. The relocation is intended to align with the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, allowing a dedicated team to advise on survivor-related policies and issues.
Secondly, VA will establish a "white-glove" survivor outreach team based in Philadelphia. This team will provide specialized support to eligible survivors throughout their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims process. The goal is to ensure more efficient claim decisions for survivors by offering guidance at every step.
Lastly, efforts are underway to enhance automation within the DIC claims process. Currently, over 1,000 claims payments or adjustments are automated daily. The VA plans further improvements in this area to expedite claims processing and improve service delivery for surviving dependents.
VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized the importance of these changes: “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.”
These reforms reflect an ongoing commitment by the VA to address inefficiencies and better serve those who have lost loved ones in military service.
