Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
The death of a family member is never easy, especially if your loved one helped provide for your family. If your spouse was killed during his or her military service, or if he or she died as a result of a service-connected disability, the federal government will provide you with monthly compensation to try and offset your family’s loss.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits are a monthly, tax-free, cash benefit paid to eligible survivors of veterans whose deaths resulted from service-related injury or disease. Your spouse fought for these benefits—make sure you and your family get the benefits you deserve after his or her death.
To be eligible for DIC benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be married to a servicemember who died on active duty, OR
- Be married to a veteran before January 1, 1957 OR
- Have married the veteran within 15 years of his or her period of active duty which caused the veteran’s death, OR
- Was married to the veteran for at least one year, OR
- Had a child with the veteran and lived with the veteran continuously until his or her death AND
- Have not remarried.
If you are a surviving spouse, and are older than age 57, you may be able to remarry while still receiving your DIC benefits. For more about DIC eligibility, visit the VA’s website.
If you are eligible for DIC, you will start out at a base rate payment of $1,215 per month (through 2015). This rate is adjusted for inflation annually.
In addition to the base rate, you may receive additional compensation if you meet certain criteria. If your spouse was receiving disability benefits from the VA for at least 8 years prior to death, and you were married to your spouse for all of those 8 years, you can receive an additional allowance of $258 per month.
If you have children, you will receive an additional $301 per month per child. If you, as the surviving spouse, are entitled to either A&A benefits or Housebound benefits, you may be eligible for additional allowances as well.
There are two types of compensation available for the survivors of military veterans: DIC benefits or survivors pensions. Your eligibility for either program depends on your spouse’s service record, and the reasons for his or her death.
If your spouse was killed during war or during active service, or if he or she died as a direct result of a service-connected disability or injury, then you will receive DIC compensation.
If your spouse served during an active war time, but his or her death was NOT related to military service or a service-connected disability, and if your income is within the limits set by Congress, you may be eligible for a survivors pension.
Need Help With Your Survivor Benefits? Vets National Advocates is Here for You.
At Vets National Advocates, we know that your spouse’s military service often comes at a very high price. While no amount of money will compensate you for your loss, you should still take advantage of the benefits that he or she earned through military service. If you are having trouble dealing with your loss, please visit our family resources and support section to find help in your time of grief.
If you need help filing your DIC claim, or have other questions about your benefits, contact Vets National Advocates today. Call 877-777-4021 or use our case evaluation form to get started.
