United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Survivors and Dependents Benefits  --  Death After Active Service

Unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges in the United States are available to unremarried surviving spouses and dependents of:

  • Veterans who died while on active duty, or,
  • Veterans who were separated under honorable conditions and who are eligible for compensation due to 100 percent (total) service-connected disability, as determined by the Veterans Administration or one of the Military Services.
Surviving spouses of reservists and their dependents also may be eligible.

For detailed information, contact the nearest military installation.

Though these benefits are provided by DoD, VA does provide assistance in completing DD Form 1172-2, “Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment.”

VA provides a certification letter for your use in obtaining commissary and exchange privileges from the armed forces.    To request a Commissary and Exchange Privileges letter, you may visit the nearest VA Regional Office, call toll-free 1 (800) 827-1000, or click here to send an electronic inquiry.


Questions about or problems using this web site may be referred to the Webmaster, Veterans Benefits Administration.    Please do not use this e-mail for benefits questions.    You should use the Contact VA web messaging form for that purpose.

Thank you.