Annual checklist

• DFAS/SBP: annual verification, school certification, marital status, direct deposit, tax withholding and address.
• VA DIC: marital/dependent status when VA requests verification; current payment and pending review.
• Survivors Pension: new MAPR/net-worth limit, income, assets and unreimbursed medical expenses.
• TRICARE/DEERS: survivor category, ID card, Medicare status, address and plan enrollment.
• Education: school status, remaining DEA/Fry entitlement and dependency/time-limit rules.
• Insurance/beneficiaries: policy status, contacts and downstream beneficiary planning.
• Taxes: DFAS/VA/insurance tax documents and any estate/trust reporting.
• Claims: every pending case number, deadline, evidence request, appeal and next action.

Trigger an immediate audit after a life event

Do not wait for the annual review after remarriage, divorce, death of another beneficiary, a child turning 18 or changing school status, Medicare eligibility, relocation, banking change, disability/incapacity change, or a new VA/DFAS/TRICARE decision.

The audit is a navigation tool, not a substitute for reporting requirements. Each program’s own notice deadline controls.

Official sources

• DFAS — SBP Annual Eligibility Verifications
• VA — DIC
• VA — Survivors Pension Rates
• TRICARE — Survivors
• Military OneSource — Survivor Assistance

Source status: SRC-146; SRC-147; SRC-150; SRC-151; SRC-152; SRC-155; SRC-165; SRC-139 verified October 4, 2026. Report status changes to each program that requires them; updating one federal system does not guarantee every other program is updated.