For information on grieving and books on healing after the loss of a loved one, we have made a link available to Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Director of the Center for Loss. Dr. Alan Wolfelt is one of North America's most respected grief educators.
Visit Online Grief Resources for more information.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A BENEFICIARY DIES (Social Security Administration):
A family member or other person responsible for the beneficiary's affairs should do the following:
*Promptly notify Social Security of the beneficiary's death by calling SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.
If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, notify the bank or other financial institution of the beneficiary's death. Request that any funds received for the month of death and later be returned to Social Security as soon as possible.
If benefits were being paid by check, DO NOT CASH any checks received for the month in which the beneficiary died or thereafter. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.
One-time Lump Sum Death Benefit:
A one-time payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, OR if living apart, was receiving Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death. Benefits for Survivors Monthly survivors benefits can be paid to certain family members, including the beneficiary's widow or widower, dependent children and dependent parents.
The following booklets contain more information about filing for benefits and can be downloaded by clicking on the title.
Visit The Social Security Site for more information.
REIMBURSEMENT OF BURIAL EXPENSES (Veterans Administration)
VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 if the veteran's death is service-connected. In some instances, VA also will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of the deceased that has available gravesites. In such cases, the person who bore the veteran's burial expense may claim reimbursement from VA.
VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility also may be established when death occurs in a VA facility, a nursing home under VA contact or a state nursing home. Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be paid. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected deaths. In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.
VA will pay a $150 plot allowance when a veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. government jurisdiction under the following circumstances: the veteran was discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been except for receiving military retired pay; or the veteran died in a VA facility. The $150 plot allowance may be paid to the state if a veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials. Burial expenses paid by the deceased's employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed. For information on monetary benefits, call 1-800-827-1000.
Requesting a Burial in a VA Cemetery
No special forms are required when requesting burial in a VA national cemetery. The person making burial arrangements should contact the national cemetery in which burial is desired at the time of need. Scheduling can be done seven days a week for interments on Mondays through Fridays.
If possible, the following information concerning the deceased should be provided when the cemetery is first contacted:
o Full name and military rank;
o Branch of service; o Social security number;
o Service number; o VA claim number, if applicable;
o Date and place of birth; o Date and place of death;
o Date of retirement or last separation from active duty; and,
o Copy of any military separation documents, such as the Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214).
The discharge documents must specify active military duty and show that release from active duty was under other than dishonorable conditions.
Viewing facilities are not available and funeral services cannot be held at VA national cemeteries, but a final committal service may be performed. For safety reasons, these committal services are held in committal shelters located away from the gravesite. Burial will take place following the committal service.Floral arrangements may accompany the casket or urn from the committal shelter and will be placed on the grave after burial
A headstone or marker will be ordered by cemetery personnel upon inscription approval by the next of kin and a burial flag will be provided. Upright headstones are standard in most national cemeteries, however, some have both upright headstone and flat marker sections. Be sure to discuss these options with the cemetery director prior to burial.
The same procedures are followed if the veteran's eligible spouse or dependent predeceases the veteran. In most cases, one gravesite is provided for the burial of all eligible family members and a single headstone or marker is provided.
When both spouses are veterans, two gravesites and two headstones or markers may be provided if requested.
Military honors are not provided by the national cemetery. These honors must be arranged in advance by the family or their representative with groups that provide the honors.
Burial benefits available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration include a gravesite in any of our cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a grave liner for casketed remains at no cost to the family.
Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
To confirm your eligibility for burial benefits, please call a Veteran's Benefits Counselor at: 1-800-827-1000
Persons Eligible for Burial in a VA National Cemetery
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemetery directors have the primary responsibility for verifying eligibility for burial in VA national cemeteries. A determination of eligibility is usually made in response to a request for burial in a VA national cemetery. a. Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard)
(1) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.
(2) Any citizen of the United States who, during any war in which the United States has been or may hereafter be engaged, served in the Armed Forces of any Government allied with the United States during that war, whose last active service terminated honorably by death or otherwise, and who was a citizen of the United States at the time of entry into such service and at the time of death.
(3) Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. With certain exceptions, service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after October 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. Undesirable, bad conduct, and any other type of discharge other than honorable may or may not qualify the individual for veterans benefits, depending upon a determination made by a VA Regional Office. Cases presenting multiple discharges of varying character are also referred for adjudication to a VA Regional Office.
Visit The Veterans Administration Site for more information.
Bay Pines National Cemetery
10000 Bay Pines Blvd., North
Bay Pines, FL 33504-0477
Phone: (727) 398-9426
FAX: (727) 398-9520
Visit The Veterans Administration Site for more information.
Florida National Cemetery
6502 SW 102nd Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
Phone: (352) 793-7740
FAX: (352) 793-9560
Visit The Veterans Administration Site for more information.
The Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. The Commission seeks to ensure that the nation's markets function competitively, and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue restrictions.
The Commission also works to enhance the smooth operation of the marketplace by eliminating acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive. In general, the Commission's efforts are directed toward stopping actions that threaten consumers' opportunities to exercise informed choice. Finally, the Commission undertakes economic analysis to support its law enforcement efforts and to contribute to the policy deliberations of the Congress, the Executive Branch, other independent agencies, and state and local governments when requested. In addition to carrying out its statutory enforcement responsibilities, the Commission advances the policies underlying Congressional mandates through cost-effective non-enforcement activities, such as consumer education.
How the FTC brings about action
The FTC may begin an investigation in different ways. Letters from consumers or businesses, Congressional inquiries, or articles on consumer or economic subjects may trigger FTC action. Investigations are either public or nonpublic. Generally, FTC investigations are nonpublic in order to protect both the investigation and the company.
If the FTC believes a violation of the law occurred, it may attempt to obtain voluntary compliance by entering into a consent order with the company. A company that signs a consent order need not admit that it violated the law, but it must agree to stop the disputed practices outlined in an accompanying complaint.
If a consent agreement cannot be reached, the FTC may issue an administrative complaint. If an administrative complaint is issued, a formal proceeding that is much like a court trial begins before an administrative law judge: evidence is submitted, testimony is heard, and witnesses are examined and cross-examined.If a law violation is found, a cease and desist order or other appropriate relief may be issued. Initial decisions by administrative law judges may be appealed to the full Commisson.
Final decisions issued by the Commission may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals and, ultimately, to the U.S. Supreme Court. If the Commission's position is upheld, the FTC, in certain circumstances, may then seek consumer redress in court. If the company ever violates the order, the Commission also may seek civil penalties or an injunction.
In some circumstances, the FTC can go directly to court to obtain an injunction, civil penalties, or consumer redress. This usually happens in cases of ongoing consumer fraud. By going directly to court, the FTC can stop the fraud before too many consumers are injured. The Commission can also issue Trade Regulation Rules. If the FTC staff finds evidence of unfair or deceptive practices in an entire industry, it can recommend that the Commission begin a rulemaking proceeding. Throughout the rulemaking proceeding, the public will have opportunities to attend hearings and file written comments. The Commission will consider these comments along with the entire rulemaking record--the hearing testimony, the staff reports, and the Presiding Officer's report -- before making a final decision on the proposed rule. An FTC rule may be challenged in any of the U.S. Courts of Appeal. When issued, these rules have the force of law.
How to Contact the Federal Trade Commission
Personnel Locator for Individual Employees 202-326-2000
When you dial this number, you will be asked to enter an extension or a person's name (last name, then first name if needed). You will be connected with the person's phone mail and may leave a message in the phone mail box.
General Information Locator 202-326-2222
Menu options will connect you with the press office, human resources office, premerger notification, the Consumer Response Center, and other frequently called offices.
Consumer Protection Issues
Consumer protection matters include:
Consumer fraud
Consumer privacy
Credit reports
Debt collection
False or misleading advertising
Internet/electronic commerce
Investment fraud
Leasing
Lending
Mail order
Telemarketing
Tobacco advertising
Warranties
In our Consumer Protection section you can find a variety of information on credit, health and fitness, buying and working at home, investments, telemarketing, the Internet and e-commerce, and other products and services
The information you volunteer to send to us is up to you. To learn how we may use the information you provide, please read our Privacy Policy. There are three ways you can contact the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Response Center:
Phone: Toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
Regular mail: Federal Trade Commission CRC-240 Washington, D.C. 20580
Electronically: If you have a complaint about a particular company or organization, use our secure complaint form.
Antitrust and Competition Issues
Antitrust and competition matters include:
General inquiries and complaints
Questions about pending FTC cases
Anticompetitive practices
Boycotts
Monopolization
Price discrimination
Price fixing
Trade associations
Phone: 202-326-3300
Freedom of Information Act - 202-326-2430
Visit The Federal Trade Commission Site for more information.
