38 USC § 321 - Office of Survivors Assistance

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s321"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 321 - Office of Survivors Assistance"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "321"
section_name: "Office of Survivors Assistance"
chapter_number: 3
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 110–389, title II, § 222(a), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4156.)"
---


# § 321. Office of Survivors Assistance

**(a)** **Establishment.—** The Secretary shall establish in the Department 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—

**(1)** to survivors and dependents of deceased veterans; and

**(2)** to survivors and dependents of deceased members of the Armed Forces.

**(b)** **Advisory Duties.—** The Office shall serve as a primary advisor to the Secretary on all matters related to the policies, programs, legislative issues, and other initiatives affecting the survivors and dependents described in subsection (a).

**(c)** **Guidance From Stakeholders.—** In establishing the Office, the Secretary shall seek guidance from interested stakeholders.

**(d)** **Resources.—** The Secretary 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 shall include in each annual Performance and Accountability report submitted by the Secretary to Congress a description of the activities of the Office during the fiscal year covered by such report.

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