VA Loans for Surviving Spouses
Surviving Spouses: The Short Version
A surviving spouse can use the VA home loan benefit if the service member died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, if the veteran was totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected condition at the time of death, or if the service member is listed as MIA or a POW for at least 90 days. Eligible surviving spouses pay no VA funding fee at all, need no down payment, and pay no monthly mortgage insurance. Eligibility generally requires that you have not remarried, though a spouse who remarries at age 57 or older on or after December 16, 2003 may still qualify.
If you are here because you lost your spouse, we are sorry. The VA home loan benefit belongs to you too, and in several ways the terms are better than what the veteran would have received. We will walk it with you at your pace.
How You Qualify
Line-of-duty death or service-connected death
An unmarried surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability is eligible.
Totally disabled veteran
A surviving spouse of a veteran who was rated totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected condition at the time of death may be eligible.
MIA or POW
A spouse of a service member missing in action or a prisoner of war for at least 90 days may be eligible.
No VA funding fee
Eligible surviving spouses are exempt from the funding fee entirely — not reduced, waived. On a $350,000 loan that is roughly $7,500 you do not pay.
Remarriage rules
Eligibility generally requires that you have not remarried. A surviving spouse who remarried at age 57 or older on or after December 16, 2003 may still qualify.
What To Bring
- VA Form 26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility — Unmarried Surviving Spouses)
- The veteran's DD-214
- Death certificate or DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty)
- Marriage certificate
- VA Form 21P-534EZ if you are also applying for DIC
- Standard income and asset documents: pay stubs, W-2s or benefit award letters, and two months of bank statements
Common Mistakes
Not knowing the benefit transfers
Many surviving spouses never learn they have their own Certificate of Eligibility. It is a separate COE issued in your name.
Paying a funding fee you do not owe
If a lender quotes you a funding fee, stop. Eligible surviving spouses are exempt. Check the Loan Estimate line by line.
Overlooking DIC income
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is generally usable, tax-free qualifying income. Leaving it off understates what you can afford.
Waiting to request the COE
Surviving spouse COEs can take longer than a veteran's because they are processed manually. Start the request before you shop.
Step By Step
Request your Certificate of Eligibility
Submitted on VA Form 26-1817 with the veteran's DD-214 and the report of casualty or death certificate. We help you assemble it.
Confirm the funding fee exemption
It should read $0 on your Loan Estimate. We verify before disclosures go out.
Get pre-qualified
Including DIC and any survivor benefit income you receive.
Shop and write the offer
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance.
Close
Average VA closing around 21 days.
Surviving Spouses: VA Loan Questions
Quick Answer
A surviving spouse can use the VA home loan benefit if the service member died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, if the veteran was totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected condition at the time of death, or if the service member is listed as MIA or a POW for at least 90 days. Eligible surviving spouses pay no VA funding fee at all, need no down payment, and pay no monthly mortgage insurance. Eligibility generally requires that you have not remarried, though a spouse who remarries at age 57 or older on or after December 16, 2003 may still qualify.
Where This Applies in San Antonio
Same benefit, different neighborhoods, counties, and situations. These pages go deeper.
Where You're Buying
County Loan Limits
Other Situations
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