Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit paid by the VA to eligible survivors of service members who died on active duty or veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected condition. DIC is the primary survivor benefit from the VA, separate from the military's Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine eligibility based on the veteran's/service member's death:
- Service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
- Veteran died from a service-connected injury or disease
- Veteran died from a non-service-connected condition but had been rated totally disabled (100% or TDIU) for at least 10 continuous years before death, or at least 5 years from date of discharge, or ...
- Verify survivor eligibility:
- Surviving spouse: must have been married to the veteran at time of death (or within 15 years of discharge in some cases) and not remarried (remarriage after age 57 allows continued DIC)
- Surviving child: under 18, or 18-23 if attending an approved school, or became permanently incapable of self-support before age 18
- Surviving parent: income-based DIC available for parents of service members who died in service or from service-connected conditions
- Gather documentation — Death certificate, marriage certificate, DD-214, VA rating decision (if applicable), birth certificates for dependent children, and medical evidence linking death to service ...
- File the appropriate VA form:
Common Mistakes
- Not filing because the death certificate does not list a service-connected cause
- Assuming remarriage permanently disqualifies
- Not claiming the SBP/DIC offset
- Missing the accrued benefits claim
- Not applying for additional allowances
Pro Tips
- File immediately after death
- The PACT Act expanded presumptive deaths
- Kicker for 8+ years of service-connected disability
- Children's benefits continue to age 23 if in school
- Concurrent receipt of SBP and DIC