VA Form 26-1817
Request for Loan Guaranty Eligibility - Unremarried Surviving Spouses
Who fills it
survivor
Journey phase
Specialty Benefits
Estimated time
20-30 minutes.
When to file
When you are ready to purchase or refinance a home and want to use VA home loan benefits.
Your veteran spouse died from a service-connected condition (or is MIA/POW) and you are seeking a VA-guaranteed home loan.
Gather before you start
—Veteran's DD-214 and service information
—Death certificate (if veteran deceased)
—VA rating decision showing service-connected cause of death
—Marriage certificate
—Your SSN and contact information
—Confirmation you have not remarried
Attach with the form
—Death certificate (certified copy)
—Marriage certificate
—VA rating decision or DIC award letter confirming SC death
—DD-214
Section I - Surviving Spouse Identification
Blocks 1-6Your name, SSN, DOB, address, phonePII
Your information as the surviving spouse. You must be unmarried at the time of the loan application.
Example
(your legal name, SSN, DOB, address)
Common mistakes
- Remarried spouses applying - remarriage terminates the home loan eligibility (different from DIC which has a 55+ exception for remarriage).
- Not knowing this benefit exists - many surviving spouses are unaware they may qualify for VA home loans.
Section II - Veteran Information
Blocks 7-12Veteran name, SSN, service information, cause of deathPII
The deceased veteran's information. For SC death: include VA rating decision showing service-connected cause of death. For MIA/POW: include documentation of MIA/POW status.
Example
(veteran name, SSN, VA file number, cause of death)
Common mistakes
- Not including VA rating decision - VA needs to verify service-connected cause of death.
- Confusing this with the CHAMPVA application - both provide benefits to surviving spouses of SC-deceased veterans; they are separate programs.
Authority
38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.
Section III - Certification
Blocks 13-14Surviving spouse signature and datePII
Sign and date certifying you are unmarried and eligible.
Example
(your signature/date)
Common mistakes
- Not knowing the full funding fee exemption - surviving spouses of SC-deceased veterans are exempt from the VA loan funding fee.
Statutory & regulatory authority
38 CFR 36.4302 - VA home-loan entitlement calculation.
38 USC 3702 - Veteran eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans.