
Can VA disability be taken for spousal support?
VA benefits can be garnished only for spousal or child support, and only under certain conditions. By Margaret Wadsworth Many disabled veterans become concerned about how much of their VA income they may lose during and after a divorce, due to property division, alimony, and child support.
Is my ex-wife entitled to my VA disability?
Your ex-wife is not a creditor . And your disability benefit is income. So she can be awarded a chunk of your VA benefits in spousal support. But I Earned My VA Disability! As one grows older and wiser, one appreciates the distinction between the law and justice. Yes, you may have earned VA disability income by becoming disabled in the line of duty serving your country.
Can a surviving spouse collect VA disability?
Surviving military spouses can sometimes receive veterans disability compensation. This benefit is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and it is paid on a monthly basis. DIC is available to a surviving military spouse (a widow or widower) and his or her dependent children. In some cases, a dependent parent may also be eligible for DIC.
Can I get benefits if my spouse is disabled?
You can ... benefits. You have been married for at least a year. You are at least 62 years old (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled). The most your spouse can receive ...

Can my wife receive my VA disability benefits?
No, a veteran's disability compensation payments are not continued for a surviving spouse after death. However, survivors may be entitled to a different type of benefit called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
How Much Does VA disability pay for spouse?
Financial Benefits $150 a month for a spouse with no children. $259 a month for a spouse with a child. $75 a month for each additional child.
What benefits do disabled veterans spouses get?
There are several VA benefits for spouses of disabled veterans, such as disability compensation, health care, education and training, employment services, insurance coverage, and survivors' benefits.
Does the spouse of a Veteran receive VA benefits?
If you're the spouse, surviving spouse, dependent child, or family caregiver of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for health care benefits. In certain cases, you may also qualify for health care benefits due to a disability related to your Veteran's service. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.
What is the VA 10 year rule?
The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.
How long does it take to add spouse to VA benefits?
If you've already submitted your claim and have received a 30% or higher disability rating, the fastest way to add a dependent is online through eBenefits (www.ebenefits.va.gov). Submitting an electronic dependency claim through eBenefits allows VA to make a decision on your claim in as little as 48 hours.
How do I add my wife to my VA benefits?
For a spouse or a child under 18 years of age, you'll need to fill out an Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents (VA Form 21-686c).
What benefits do military spouses get?
Many military benefits and resources are available to spouses.Access to commissaries and exchanges.Free gyms, libraries and other recreation opportunities.Free tax services.Free, confidential non-medical counseling services.Help with education and career goals.Military discounts.
What happens to my VA disability when I turn 65?
Even after veterans reach full retirement age, VA's disability payments continue at the same level. By contrast, the income that people receive after they retire (from Social Security or private pensions) usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement.
How Do I Know If I’M Eligible For DIC?
You are eligible for DIC if VA considers you a surviving spouse (see below), and your military spouse died either: 1. while on active duty 2. while...
How Does VA Define “Surviving Spouse”?
The VA will recognize you as a surviving spouse if one of the following is true. 1. You were married to the veteran for at least a year. 2. You wer...
What If I Have Remarried?
It depends on when you got remarried.If you remarried before reaching age 57 or before December 16, 2003, the VA will not consider you a surviving...
How Much Money Will I receive?
Currently DIC pays $1,154 per month. If you have any children under age 18, your monthly benefit will be increased by $286 for each child. If you a...
What is DIC in military?
DIC is available to a surviving military spouse (a widow or widower) and his or her dependent children. In some cases, a dependent parent may also be eligible for DIC.
How long does a VA veteran have to be on active duty?
as a result of a service-connected injury or illness, or. while receiving VA disability compensation for at least: 10 or more years, right up until he or she died. from the time of discharge for at least five years up until she or he died, or.
How long does a child receive DIC?
If you receive benefits for your children under age 18, you will generally only receive this additional benefit for two years.
When does DIC stop?
However, if you have a disabled child, the child will remain eligible for DIC even after they reach age 18 or two years have passed .
Is the internet secure?
The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. Surviving military spouses can sometimes receive veterans disability compensation. This benefit is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and it is paid on a monthly basis. DIC is available to a surviving military ...
When did you get married to a veteran?
You were married to the veteran before January 1, 1957. you were separated, and the separation was not your fault.
Can you be a surviving spouse of a veteran?
The VA will recognize you as a surviving spouse if one of the following is true. You were married to the veteran for at least a year. You were married for any length of time and your spouse died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
What is DIC benefit?
The DIC program by the Department of Veterans Affairs provides monthly benefits to the surviving spouses of deceased Veterans. The idea is to compensate you for the economic loss caused by the death of the Veteran due to their service-connected disability or death of a service member during their service period.
What is VA claims insider?
VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. We’re here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. We also connect veteran s with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Independent Medical Opinions & Nexus Statements (Medical Nexus Letters) for a wide range of disability conditions.
What is the military spouse preference program?
The Department of Defense Military Spouse Preference Program or MSP assists military spouses in securing the desired employment. Under this program, as a spouse, you will get preferential treatment for employment in placements positions open for a civilian in the Department of Defense (DOD).
Why do military spouses get VA benefits?
Therefore, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers VA benefits for spouses to express gratitude and help balance the hardships that can be faced.
What is DEA in VA?
The Survivor’s and Dependent’s Education Assistance or (DEA) is a program for spouses eligible for VA benefits. This program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers assistance to all eligible spouses of Veterans with permanent and total VA disability ratings due to service-connected conditions.
What is myCAA for military spouses?
MyCAA – An education benefit or financing program for military spouses by the Department of Defense. There are numerous non-profit scholarships for spouses eligible for VA benefits such as Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), National Military Family Association (NMFA) etc. Other VA benefits for spouses may include:
How long does it take to convert a spouse's life insurance to an individual?
As military spouses who are eligible for VA benefits for spouses, you may be able to convert your spousal insurance coverage (FSGLI) into an individual plan with a private insurance provider within 120 days of the Veteran’s end of military services.
How much is DIC per month?
This compensation is typically around $1,100 per month. The amount received as compensation increases per child if you have other dependents. DIC benefits are permanent for surviving spouses. It lasts the entire life of the surviving spouse except in the case of remarriage.
How much is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
This compensation is typically around $1,100 per month.
What is a 21-534 form?
These forms are commonly referred to as DIC application , but you might also hear them as Form 21-534. After the passing of a military spouse, a VA Casualty Assistance Officer might complete this form for you. Your spouse can also complete the form online.
How to talk to your spouse about your death?
Talk to your spouse. Your first step is to talk to your spouse. Though it is often challenging to talk about death, especially for close family members, this is an essential conversation. Talk to your spouse about his or her plan after you pass away.
How long do you have to be married to a veteran to receive death benefits?
Were married to the service member or Veteran for a minimum of 1 year. Share children with the service member or Veteran and are not currently remarried. Along with Veteran death benefits, this compensation is a helpful safety net for providing ongoing support to military families.
Do DIC benefits apply after remarriage?
In general, DIC benefits no longer apply after remarriage. Benefits are no longer given to these partners unless the remarriage ended in divorce, death, or annulment. These benefits also continue if the spouse remarried on or after reaching the age of 57. When in doubt, contact the VA office.
Is losing a spouse easy?
Losing a spouse is never easy. Having a security net to provide compensation after the passing of a loved one eases this burden. If you’re a recipient of Veterans disability benefits, you might be wondering whether these continue to your spouse when you die.
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died on or after January 1, 1993
You may also be eligible for added amounts based on certain factors. Find any descriptions in the table below that are true for you. Add the amount listed in the Added monthly amount column of each description to your monthly payment. This is your total monthly payment.
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died before January 1, 1993
If you're the spouse or child of a Veteran who died before January 1, 1993, we use a different method to determine your DIC monthly payment.
How DIC may affect your VA Survivors Pension or Survivor Benefit Plan
If you’re eligible for both DIC and Survivors Pension benefits, we’ll pay you whichever benefit gives you the most money. You can't get both.
More benefits for survivors
If you're the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with wartime service, find out if you're eligible for monthly pension benefits based on your income and net worth.
What is VA DIC?
As explained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA DIC is a “tax-free monetary benefit” available to a “surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury ...
How much is DIC in 2021?
As reported by Military.com, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits will increase by 1.3 percent in 2021. The monthly benefit is now a tax-free amount of $1,357.56 per month. For surviving spouses who have minor children, an additional monthly benefit is available for each child.
How long does a veteran die on active duty?
Died while on active duty. Died as a result of a service-related injury/illness. Died while on VA disability compensation for at least ten years (only five years if your military veteran spouse went on VA disability directly after discharge) How Veterans Affairs Defines “Surviving Spouse”.
How long do you have to be married to qualify for DIC?
You will qualify as a surviving spouse for the purposes of VA DIC benefits if you were: Married for at least one year. Married for any amount of time if your spouse died while on active duty.
What happens if you cut off your VA DIC?
Note: If your VA DIC benefits were cut off because of remarriage, but the subsequent marriage ended due to death, divorce, or annulment, you have the right to file for the reinstatement of your DIC benefits.
Can a deceased spouse get DIC?
VA DIC Eligibility Through a Military Veteran Spouse. To qualify for VA disability benefits through a deceased spouse, an applicant must meet certain basic standards. The federal government will only consider you eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if your military veteran spouse: Died while on active duty.
On this page
Am I eligible for additional VA disability compensation for one or more of my dependents?
How to view current dependents
You can use our online tool to review the current dependents you've added to your VA disability benefits. To do this, you need to be signed in to VA.gov with a verified account.
How to add a dependent to your VA disability benefits
You can file a claim for additional compensation for a child or spouse online.
More questions about adding or removing a dependent
Yes, but we encourage you to file online. The online process is simple, and you can upload your supporting documents along with your claim.
More VA benefits for you and your dependents
Apply for monthly pension benefits for wartime Veterans and survivors.
