I think it is safe to say that everybody knows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits and services for those that served in the U.S. Armed forces.  Many however are unaware that VA provides a number of benefits for certain surviving members of a deceased veteran’s family. 

One such benefit is dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC).

DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a:

  • military service member who dies while on active duty, active duty for training; or
  • inactive duty for training, or veteran whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease; or
  • veteran whose death resulted from a non service-related injury or disease, and who was receiving or was entitled to receive, VA compensation for a service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling:

-for at least 10 years immediately before death, or

-since the veteran’s release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death; or

-for at least one year before death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

The surviving spouse is eligible if he or she:

  • validly married the veteran before January 1, 1957; or
  • was married to a service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training; or
  • married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the veteran’s death began or was aggravated; or
  • was married to the veteran for at least one year; or
  •   had a child with the veteran; AND
  • cohabited with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation; AND
  • is not currently remarried.*

*Note:  A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.

The surviving child(ren), if he/she is:

  • not included on the surviving spouse’s DIC
  • unmarried; AND
  • under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school.*

*Note:  Certain helpless adult children are entitled to DIC.

The surviving parent(s) may be eligible for an income-based benefit.

The basic monthly rate of DIC is $1,195 for an eligible surviving spouse.  The rate is increased for each dependent child, and also if the surviving spouse is housebound or in need of aid and attendance.  VA also adds a transitional benefit of $296 to the surviving spouse’s monthly DIC if there are children under age 18.  The amount is based on a family unit, not individual children.  Benefit rate tables, including those for children alone and parents, can be found on the Internet at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates.

To apply complete VA Form 21-534 Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child. http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-534-ARE.pdf

If you previously applied and where denied make sure you have a knowledgeable advocate review the decision to make certain VA did not wrongfully deny benefits.

If you have any questions about this topic or any other topic regarding veterans benefits please feel free to contact us at Ask VetsFirst.  Ask VetsFirst is a free support service for veterans and their family members. You can find Knowledge Books on a wide range of veterans issues and topics. You can also submit a request and have one of our counselors answer your questions.

Please feel free to browse our extensive VetsFirst Knowledge Books for answers to your questions and if you are unable to find an answer you can submit your question directly to a VetsFirst counselor. Click here to Ask VetsFirst.

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