
To be eligible for DIC, a surviving child must meet all of the following criteria:
- under the age of 18, or under the age of 23 if attending school
- unmarried
- not factored into a surviving spouse/parent’s DIC
How much is DIC compensation?
DIC rates if veteran died on or after January 1, 1993. Dependency and indemnity compensation is paid to a surviving spouse at the monthly rate of $1,437.66 for 2022.
Are DIC benefits taxable?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Is DIC taxable?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or “DIC,” is available to eligible survivors and dependents of veterans who had service-connected disabilities or diseases. The amount of DIC compensation is not based on income and is paid as a tax-free monthly benefit.
How to qualify for DIC?
- The Veteran had a pay grade of O-1 to O-3, and
- The Veteran had a VA service-connected disability rating of totally disabling (including for individual unemployability) for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and
- You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years
How to apply for VA disability?
How long do you have to serve in the military before you die?
Can a veteran die from a service connected illness?
Can you get DIC benefits if you are denied service connected disability?
See more
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Can I receive DIC and Social Security?
Many survivors do not know that they can receive both DIC benefits and Social Security benefits at the same time. They receive DIC benefits because the death is service connected and Social Security benefits for a separate reason (retirement, disability, etc.).
Is DIC based on income?
The DIC is based on the income level. For instance, a parent with a monthly income of $1,000 would get more DIC than a parent with a monthly income of $2,000. Unusual medical expenses may be used to reduce countable income.
Do widows of disabled veterans get 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 will my spouse get for DIC?
The basic monthly rate of DIC is $1,340 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.
When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security disability?
These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 — full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Widow or widower with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.
Can a surviving spouse receive both SBP and DIC?
In 2020, all new surviving spouses remain subject to the SBP-DIC offset if eligible under both programs. Those survivors will receive only the amount of SBP in excess of the amount of DIC they receive. Beginning in 2021, new surviving spouses will receive the same increase in benefits as existing survivors.
What benefits does a wife of a deceased veteran get?
Survivors Pension Surviving spouses of deceased veterans are eligible for tax-free monthly pension benefits if they meet certain net worth and income requirements set by Congress. Those unable to work or perform daily activities can also receive a supplemental allowance.
What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?
It is important to note a key difference between survivor benefits and spousal benefits. Spousal retirement benefits provide a maximum 50% of the other spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA). Alternatively, survivors' benefits are a maximum 100% of the deceased spouse's retirement benefit.
What benefits does a military widow get?
A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.
How much is DIC for a widow?
$1,437.66The basic monthly tax-free DIC benefit will increase from $1,357.56 for 2021 to $1,437.66 for 2022, with additional amounts also seeing the 5.9% increase.
How much is VA DIC payment?
As mentioned above, if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran, your monthly DIC rate would start at $1,437.65. However, there are circumstances where DIC benefits could exceed that amount. For example, if the veteran had a school-age child, the monthly payment would include $301.74.
Am I eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent?
Eligibility You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements. One of these must be true: You lived with the Veter...
What kind of benefits can I get?
If you qualify, you can get tax-free monetary benefits. The amount you receive depends on the type of survivor you are. DIC benefit rates for survi...
How do I apply for compensation?
First you’ll need to fill out an application for benefits. The application you fill out will depend on your survivor status. If you’re the survivin...
Should I submit an intent to file form?
You may want to submit an intent to file form before you apply for DIC benefits. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while...
2022 VA DIC rates for spouses and dependents | Veterans Affairs
Review 2022 VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rates for the surviving spouses and dependent children of Veterans. These VA survivor benefits are tax exempt. This means you won’t have to pay any taxes on your compensation payments. These rates are effective December 1, 2021.
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Factsheet
2 Note: If you remarried on or after Dec. 16, 2003 and were at least 57 years old, you may still be eligible. Surviving Children . If you are a surviving child, you may be eligible for DIC if the Veteran parent:
Will Your Spouse Receive Your VA Disability When You Die?
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.
What is VA DIC?
About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents. If you’re the 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 or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).
How long do you have to serve in the military before you die?
For at least 10 years before their death, or. Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death, or. For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.
Can a veteran die from a service connected illness?
The Veteran didn’t die from a service-connected illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time.
Can a veteran remarry a child?
Had a child with the Veteran or service member, aren’t currently remarried, and either lived with the Veteran or service member without a break until their death or, if separated, weren’t at fault for the separation.
Can you get DIC benefits if you are denied service connected disability?
If we denied your Blue Water Navy Veteran’s service-connected disability claim in the past, you may be eligible for DIC benefits based on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.
What is DIC in military?
Survivors' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) DIC is a tax free benefit paid to eligible survivors of Servicemembers or Veterans who died in the line of duty or from a service related injury or disease.
What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monthly benefit paid to. eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible. survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
What is considered a veteran for DIC?
To be considered a qualifying veteran for DIC purposes, the deceased veteran must meet either of the following criteria: Died from a service-related injury or disease. Died from a non-service-related injury or disease but was eligible for or receiving VA compensation for a totally disabling service-connected disability: ...
What is DIC compensation?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or “DIC,” is available to eligible survivors and dependents of veterans who had service-connected disabilities or diseases. The amount of DIC compensation is not based on income and is paid as a tax-free monthly benefit.
How long does a veteran have to be married to receive disability?
if the veteran had been receiving disability compensation for a totally disabling service-connected disability or disease for at least 8 continuous years during which the surviving spouse was married to them. Any dependent children under the age of 18. If the surviving spouse is entitled to aid and attendance (A&A)
How long do you have to be married to a veteran to qualify for DIC?
To be eligible for DIC, a surviving spouse must meet any of the following criteria: married to the veteran before 1/1/1957. married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of service during which the service-connected disability or disease occurred ...
Can a parent of a veteran receive a tax free benefit?
Parents of veterans who died as the result of a service-related injury or disease may be eligible to receive a tax-free monthly benefit if their income falls below a certain level.
What is DIC benefit?
DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of: a military member who died while on active duty. a veteran whose death was the result of a service-related injury or disease. a veteran whose death wasn't related to their service but who got VA disability compensation. for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR.
How much is a veteran rated disabled?
Add $288.27 if, at the time of death, the veteran was rated 100% disabled or unemployable as a result of disability. The veteran must have been rated that way for at least 8 continuous years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse had to be married to the veteran for those same 8 years.
How much does a surviving spouse add to the A&A?
If the surviving spouse is entitled to aid and attendance (A&A), add $336.32. If the surviving spouse is entitled to housebound, add $157.55. Add $289.00 if the surviving spouse has one or more children under the age 18.
How long do you have to be on active duty before you die?
for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR. since their release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR. for at least one year before death if they were a former POW who died after Sept. 30, 1999.
Does DFAS reduce SBP annuity?
If a surviving spouse gets DIC from the VA based on the death of the service member who provides the SBP coverage, DFAS will reduce the SBP annuity by the amount of the DIC.
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 DIC?
First things first, DIC stands for Dependency Indemnity Compensation. The DIC is a monthly payment made to the surviving spouse and children of veterans who either died during their service, due to an injury related to their service, or were disabled in the years leading up to their death.
How Much is the DIC benefit?
The base rate is $1,215 per month, but that amount can go up based on the veteran’s rank, the number of children, and if you’re eligible for additional benefits such as the Aid & Attendance pension.
How Do I Apply?
If you’ve gotten this far and are ready to send in your application, then you should complete VA Form 21-534 and send it in to your local VA office.
What is DIC benefit?
DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of certain deceased veterans, including survivors of: Military members who died while on active duty. Veterans whose death was the result of a service-related injury or disease.
How much is DIC monthly?
The monthly tax-free benefit is currently more than $1,300. To be eligible for DIC, the surviving spouse must have been married to a service member who died on active duty or married a veteran whose death was service-connected.
Can a spouse receive dependency compensation if a veteran dies?
See: Details about the dependency and Indemnity Compensation program. If the spouse remarries after the veteran dies, they can remain eligible for the benefit if the date of remarriage is on or after Dec.
How to apply for VA disability?
You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 2 Use the direct upload tool through AccessVA to upload your form online.#N#Go to AccessVA to use direct upload 3 Mail your form to this address:#N#Department of Veterans Affairs#N#Pension Intake Center#N#PO Box 5365#N#Janesville, WI 53547-5365 4 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you
How long do you have to serve in the military before you die?
For at least 10 years before their death, or. Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death, or. For at least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.
Can a veteran die from a service connected illness?
The Veteran didn’t die from a service-connected illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time. If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a rating of totally disabling, they must have had this rating:
Can you get DIC benefits if you are denied service connected disability?
If we denied your Blue Water Navy Veteran’s service-connected disability claim in the past, you may be eligible for DIC benefits based on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Eligibility
- To qualify for DIC, a surviving spouse must meet the requirements below. The surviving spouse was: 1. Married to a Servicemember who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR 2. Validly married the Veteran before January 1, 1957, OR 3. Married the Veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury tha…
Evidence Required
- Listed below are the evidence requirements for this benefit: 1. The Servicemember died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR 2. The Veteran died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service, OR 3. The Veteran died from a non service-related injury or disease, but was receiving, OR was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for ser…
How to Apply
- Complete VA Form 21P-534ez, "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child and mail to the Pension Management Center th...
- Work with an accredited representative or agent OR
- Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can find your regional offi…
- Complete VA Form 21P-534ez, "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child and mail to the Pension Management Center th...
- Work with an accredited representative or agent OR
- Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page OR
- If the death was in service, your Military Casualty Assistance Officer will assist you in completing VA Form 21P-534a, " Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and/or...