--- title: "Part XII, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A Overview of the Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part XII, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/xii.ii.3.a-overview-of-the-restored-entitlement-program-for-survivors" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000175227/M21-1-Part-XII-Subpart-ii-Chapter-3-Section-A-Overview-of-the-Restored-Entitlement-Program-for-Survivors-REPS" updated: "2026-09-07T14:38:07.492053Z" --- May 8, 2019 ### XII.ii.3.A.1.a. Origin of REPS Benefits payable under _Public Law (PL) 97-377_ , Section 156, are called Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) benefits. The program was given this name because _PL 97-377_ , Section 156, restores Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits that were terminated as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981,_PL 97-35_. ### XII.ii.3.A.1.b. Relationship Between PL 97-35 and REPS The 1981 changes in _PL 97-35_ eliminated * the “parent with child in care” benefit when the last child in a surviving spouse’s care attains age 16, and * most student benefits for children over the age of 18. REPS restores benefits to * a surviving spouse that is caring for a child of the Veteran and surviving spouse while the child is between the ages of 16 and 18, and * unmarried postsecondary school students between ages 18 and 22. ### XII.ii.3.A.1.c. Unique Nature of REPS REPS is unique in that it is funded by the Department of War and administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) using a mixture of VA and SSA eligibility criteria. SSA eligibility criteria are used in order to pay benefits to the claimant for approximately the same duration they would have been paid but for the 1981 changes. **Reference:** For more information on REPS, see * [38 CFR 3.812](), and * [ _VA Form 21-0536, REPS Benefits Fact Sheet_](). ## 2. Eligibility for REPS Benefits This topic contains information on the eligibility criteria for REPS benefits, including information on * applying for REPS benefits * basic eligibility requirements * who is eligible for REPS benefits * ineligibility of former spouses * establishing eligibility based on * service-connected (SC) death, and * death after separation from service * considering character of discharge * establishing eligibility in special circumstances, and * establishing basic eligibility in wartime missing-in- action (MIA) cases. May 8, 2019 ### XII.ii.3.A.2.a. Applying for REPS Benefits VA will consider a claim for REPS benefits only upon receipt of a completed [_VA Form 21P-8924_ , _Application of Surviving Spouse or Child for REPS Benefits (Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors)_](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.b. Basic Eligibility Requirements Certain spouses and schoolchildren have basic eligibility to REPS benefits if they are survivors of a member of the Armed Forces who * died while on active duty before August 13, 1981, or * died from disabilities incurred in or aggravated by active duty before August 13, 1981. **Reference:** For more information on REPS eligibility requirements, see [38 CFR 3.812(a)](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.c. Who Is Eligible for REPS Benefits Pay REPS benefits * to a surviving spouse of the qualifying deceased Veteran who has in their care a child of the deceased Veteran and surviving spouse that is between the ages of 16 and 18, or * to an unmarried schoolchild who is * between the ages of 18 and 22, and * in full-time attendance at an approved postsecondary school. **Notes:** * A surviving spouse who remarries may establish eligibility if the marriage is subsequently terminated. * A child who marries after eligibility has been established * may again establish eligibility if the marriage is voided or annulled, but * may **_not_** again establish eligibility if the marriage is terminated by divorce or death of the child’s spouse. **Reference:** For more information on approved postsecondary schools, see [M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 3.C.6](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.d. Ineligibility of Former Spouses A divorced spouse of a deceased Veteran is **_not_** eligible for benefits under REPS because they cannot be considered a surviving spouse at the time of the Veteran’s death. ### XII.ii.3.A.2.e. Establishing Eligibility Based on SC Death If death occurred in service, the * service must meet the definition of “active military, naval, or air service” as described in [38 CFR 3.6(a)](), and * death must have occurred before August 13, 1981. **Note:** If death occurred in service, line of duty is **_not_ **a factor.**Reference:** For more information on death in service occurring after August 12, 1981, see [M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 3.B.3.b](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.f. Establishing Eligibility Based on Death After Separation From Service If the Veteran died after separation from service, the * death must have resulted from a disability incurred or aggravated in the active military, naval, or air service before August 13, 1981, and * disability must have been incurred in the line of duty. **Note:** If separation from service was after August 12, 1981, the service-connected (SC) disability must have had its onset prior to August 13, 1981.**Reference:** For more information on death or disability after separation from service, see [M21-1, Part XII, Subpart ii, 3.B.3](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.g. Considering Character of Discharge Although the Veteran’s character of discharge might be a bar to the payment of benefits under [38 U.S.C. 5303](), there may be entitlement to REPS benefits, provided the * post-service death was the result of a disability incurred in or aggravated by service before August 13, 1981, and * disability that resulted in death was incurred in the line of duty. ### XII.ii.3.A.2.h. Establishing Eligibility in Special Circumstances Use the table below to determine if REPS benefits are payable in special circumstances.| **If …**| **Then eligibility for REPS benefits is …** service was in the Regular Philippine Scouts of the Philippines| established. service was in the * commissioned corps of the Public Health Service * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration * New Philippine Scouts, or * Commonwealth Army of the Philippines | ** _not_** established. death was presumptively connected to service prior to August 13, 1981, due to * non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or any other disease SC under the provisions of [38 CFR 3.313](), or * any disease presumptively SC | established. death was due to a disability awarded “as if” SC under * [38 U.S.C. 1151]() (disability due to treatment or training), or * [38 U.S.C. 1160]() (paired organs or extremities) | **_not_** established. **References:** For more information on * the payment of benefits based on service, see [38 CFR 3.812(c)(3)](), and * eligibility for REPS benefits based on service, see [38 CFR 3.812(c)](). ### XII.ii.3.A.2.i. Establishing Basic Eligibility in Wartime MIA Cases Basic REPS eligibility exists in wartime missing-in-action (MIA) cases where * MIA status is established prior to August 13, 1981, and * the casualty report has a date of death on or after August 13, 1981. **Note:** If MIA status was established prior to August 13, 1981, it is presumed that the actual death or disability resulting in death occurred prior to August 13, 1981. ## 3. Providing Notice of Potential Entitlement to REPS Benefits This topic contains information on providing notice of potential entitlement to REPS benefits, including information on * notifying dependents of potential REPS entitlement, and * criteria for the automatic issuance of the forms. May 8, 2019 ### XII.ii.3.A.3.a. Notifying Dependents of Potential REPS Entitlement Notify dependents of their potential entitlement to REPS benefits using [_VA Form 21P-8924_](), which is the REPS application. ### XII.ii.3.A.3.b. Criteria for the Automatic Issuance of the Forms [ _VA Form 21P-8924_]() is automatically released by the central system computer if * there is a running Dependency and Indemnity Compensation award, and * the payee is a * surviving spouse whose youngest child or children (in the case of twins) will reach age 16 within two months of the current processing month * child whose 18th birthday is two months from the current processing month, or * surviving spouse with a child whose 18th birthday is two months from the current processing month. ## 4. Handling Inquiries From Claimants May 8, 2019 ### XII.ii.3.A.4.a. Claimants’ Inquiries to ROs Normally, REPS claimants contact the St. Louis Regional Office (RO) with inquiries relating to REPS benefits. In the event a claimant or beneficiary contacts an RO **_other than_** the St. Louis RO with a REPS-related inquiry, instruct them to contact the St. Louis RO directly by * telephone ((314) 253-4383), or * e-mail ([REPS.VBASTL@va.gov]()). ## 5. Jurisdiction for REPS Claims May 8, 2019 ### XII.ii.3.A.5.a. Jurisdiction for REPS Claims The St. Louis RO manages the processing of REPS claims. ROs must e-mail (to [REPS.VBASTL@va.gov]()) or fax ((844) 537-7818) **_all_** [_VA Forms 21P-8924_]() and REPS-related correspondence without establishing end product control or taking any further action.