---
title: "Part XII, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section B Eligibility Determinations and Claims for the Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)"
document: "M-21-1"
section: "Part XII, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section B"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xii.ii.2.b-eligibility-determinations-and-claims-for-the-special"
source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000175224/M21-1-Part-XII-Subpart-ii-Chapter-2-Section-B-Eligibility-Determinations-and-Claims-for-the-Special-Allowance-Under-38-USC-1312a"
updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:06.933156Z"
---

February 3, 2011  

### XII.ii.2.B.1.a. Eligibility Determinations Made by VA

If the Veteran’s death occurs after separation from service, and there is possible entitlement to special allowance under [38 U.S.C. 1312(a)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1312>) as described in [M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 2.A.1.a](</system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000175223/M21-1-Part-XII-Subpart-ii-Chapter-2-Section-A-Special-Allowance-Under-38-USC-1312a>), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes the following determinations:

  * line of duty and service connection for the cause of death as provided in [38 CFR 3.1(k)](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=53245cef13b08ea60a30e8e229c25fdf&mc=true&node=se38.1.3_11&rgn=div8>) and [38 CFR 3.1(m)](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=53245cef13b08ea60a30e8e229c25fdf&mc=true&node=se38.1.3_11&rgn=div8>), based on a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated after September 15, 1940, and
  * whether discharge or release from active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training was under conditions other than dishonorable per [38 CFR 3.12](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fb36980d8ddc34927b196e3630d416e2&mc=true&node=se38.1.3_112&rgn=div8>) and [38 CFR 3.804](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fb36980d8ddc34927b196e3630d416e2&mc=true&node=se38.1.3_1804&rgn=div8>).

### XII.ii.2.B.1.b. Eligibility Determinations Made by SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines and certifies the following:

  * whether the Veteran was fully and currently insured at the time of death
  * whether there is a survivor eligible to receive the special allowance under [38 U.S.C. 1312(a)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1312>)
  * the first month of entitlement and the amount of monthly benefits that are to be paid to each eligible survivor under [38 U.S.C. 1312(a)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1312>), and
  * any subsequent determination requiring
    * deductions from monthly benefits
    * termination of entitlement, or
    * increases or decreases in monthly benefits.

## 2. Claims for the Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)

This topic contains information on claims for the special allowance under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a), including

  * accepting claims for the special allowance, and
  * handling the receipt of _VA Form 21-4182_ , _Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Death Pension (Including Accrued Benefits and Death Compensation Where Applicable) From the Department of Veterans Affairs (Supplement to Social Security Application Forms SSA-4, 5, 7 and 10)_.

September 11, 2025  

### XII.ii.2.B.2.a. Accepting Claims for the Special Allowance

No special application is required to claim the special allowance under [38 U.S.C. 1312(a)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1312>). Accept a claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) on the following forms as a claim for special allowance when it is determined that the benefit is payable:

  * [_VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits_](<https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534EZ-ARE.pdf>)
  *  _[VA Form 21P-534a, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child - In-Service Death Only](<https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534a-ARE.pdf>),_ or
  *  _[VA Form 21P-535, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (Including Accrued Benefits and Death Compensation When Applicable)](<https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-535-ARE.pdf>)._

**Reference:** For more information on eligibility for the special allowance, see [M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 2.A.1.a](</system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000175223/M21-1-Part-XII-Subpart-ii-Chapter-2-Section-A-Special-Allowance-Under-38-USC-1312a>).  

### XII.ii.2.B.2.b. Handling the Receipt of VA Form 21-4182

Use the table below to determine how to handle the receipt of _[VA Form 21-4182, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Death Pension (Including Accrued Benefits and Death Compensation Where Applicable) From the Department of Veterans Affairs (Supplement to Social Security Application Forms SSA-4, 5, 7 and 10)](<http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/20/cio/20s5/forms/VBA-21-4182-ARE.pdf>)_.| **If a  …**| **Then …**  
[ _VA Form 21-4182_](<http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/20/cio/20s5/forms/VBA-21-4182-ARE.pdf>) is received from a surviving

  * spouse
  * child, or
  * parent

| before taking action, obtain a completed application on

  * [ _VA Form 21P-534EZ_](<http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534EZ-ARE.pdf>)
  *  _[VA Form 21P-534a](<http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534a-ARE.pdf>),_ or
  * [ _VA Form 21P-535_](<http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-535-ARE.pdf>).

[_VA Form 21-4182_](<http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/20/cio/20s5/forms/VBA-21-4182-ARE.pdf>) or a specific inquiry regarding entitlement under [38 U.S.C. 1312(a)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1312>) is received from a person who

  * has **_no_** apparent entitlement to DIC, and
  * has **_not_** filed a formal application for DIC

| take rating action, if required, for the determination of entitlement as described in M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 2.B.1.a without first obtaining a formal application provided there is no legal bar to the payment of such allowance.