Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

What Is DIC?

DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a military service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty 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 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.

Who Is Eligible?

The surviving spouse 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. Call the toll-free number below for the eligibility requirements.

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

 

How Much Does VA Pay?

Benefit rate tables, including those for children alone and parents, can be found at https://benefits.va.gov/Compensation/current_rates_dic.asp.

 

DIC is not taxable.

How Should a Claimant Apply?

Claimants should complete VA Form 21-534.

 

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