Veterans and Families: The VA May Be Holding Unclaimed Insurance Money in Your Name

There may be insurance money waiting for you

If you served in the military, or if a family member did, the VA may be holding life insurance money that was never claimed. This can happen when a policy pays out but the money never reaches the right person.

The VA calls this its unclaimed insurance funds search. It is a tool you can use to check a name and see if there is money owed.

This money is already yours or your family's. Checking is completely free through the VA's own website. You never need to pay anyone to search for you.

Who ends up on the list

Two main groups may have unclaimed VA insurance funds. The first is veterans who held a VA life insurance policy. The second is the beneficiaries, the family members named to receive money when a policyholder passed away.

Sometimes a payment could not be delivered because an address changed, a name was misspelled, or the VA could not reach the person named on the policy.

That is why it can be worth checking not just your own name, but the name of a parent, spouse, or other relative who served and has since passed away.

What you get and how the search works

The VA's search tool lets you type in a name and see if unclaimed insurance funds are listed. If there is a match, the VA explains how to file a claim for the money.

The amount depends on the individual policy. We do not list a dollar figure here because the amount varies from person to person, and only the VA can tell you what, if anything, is owed on a specific name.

There is no cost to search and no cost to claim. Be careful of any company that offers to find this money for a fee. The official VA path is free, and it is the one that actually pays out.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to search or claim?

No. The VA's search and claim process is free. You never need to pay a company to find or release this money for you.

Can I check for a family member who has died?

Yes. If a relative served and held a VA policy, you can search their name. Beneficiaries who were owed money may also appear in the search.

What if I find a match?

The VA will explain how to file a claim for the funds. Follow the instructions on the official VA page.

Is OpenFinancial part of the VA?

No. We are a free resource that points you to official programs. All claims go through the VA directly at no cost.