---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 321"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "321"
heading: "Office of Survivors Assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/321"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 3 — Department of Veterans Affairs"
---

# §321. Office of Survivors Assistance

- (a) **Establishment.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall establish in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) an Office of Survivors Assistance (in this section referred to as the “Office”) to serve as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)—
  - (1) to survivors and [dependents](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) of deceased [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2); and
  - (2) to survivors and [dependents](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) of deceased members of the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10).
- (b) **Advisory Duties.—** The Office shall serve as a primary advisor to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) on all matters related to the policies, programs, legislative issues, and other initiatives affecting the survivors and [dependents](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) described in [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Guidance From Stakeholders.—** In establishing the Office, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall seek guidance from interested stakeholders.
- (d) **Resources.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure that appropriate personnel, funding, and other resources are provided to the Office to carry out its responsibilities.
- (e) **Inclusion of Information on Office in Annual Report on Department Activities.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall include in each annual Performance and Accountability report submitted by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to Congress a description of the activities of the Office during the fiscal year covered by such report.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 110–389, title II, § 222(a), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4156.)