VA Home Loan Benefits

VA Home Loan Guaranty Benefits for Surviving Spouses

The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. If you wish to make application for the home loan benefit, call the VA Home Loan Eligibility Center's toll free number at 888-244-6711 when you are ready to apply. In addition, a surviving spouse who obtained a VA home loan with the veteran prior to his or her death regardless of the cause of death, may obtain a VA guaranteed interest rate reduction refinance loan. For more information, contact the VA Home Loan Eligibility Center at 888-244-6711.

How Do I Prove to the Lender that I’m Eligible?

You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before you can get a VA-backed loan. You must apply for the COE by mail. If your veteran spouse died after service, VA must determine that the death was due to a service-connected disability. Please allow two or three months for this process unless you know that the decision on service-connected death has already been made. Apply using VA Form 26-1817, Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility, which can be printed off the Internet if you have it, using Google. If you can’t print the form, just call 888-768-2132 and follow the prompts for eligibility. The form can be mailed to you. Send the completed form to: VA Loan Eligibility Center, Attn: COE 262, P.O. Box 100034, Decatur, GA 30031.

Evidence you will need when you apply:

If you’re already receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA, send them a copy of your VA award letter. If you don’t receive DIC, send them a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214/military discharge document, a copy of the veteran’s death certificate and a copy of your marriage certificate. It is recommended that you send a simple, signed statement saying that you would like to apply for DIC. If you qualify for the home loan benefit, you probably qualify for monthly payments under DIC. Put the veteran’s Social Security number on all documents.