What are accrued benefits in the context of VA benefits?

Accrued benefits refer to the benefits that are owed to a beneficiary for a period before their death but were not paid out before they passed away. This means that if a veteran was entitled to certain benefits during their lifetime and those benefits were not disbursed, their estate or the eligible dependents may claim these unpaid amounts after the veteran's death.

Understanding this concept is vital because it highlights the rights of beneficiaries regarding the financial support they should receive for the time served or the entitlements approved before the veteran's passing. Accrued benefits are specifically designed to ensure that the benefits intended for the veteran are not lost due to timing issues related to the disbursement of payments.

This definition distinguishes accrued benefits from other types of benefits that might only come into play after death, those that pertain solely to dependents, or those that involve a transfer of benefits to relatives.