Dependency and indemnity compensation

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, chil or parent of Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or to survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. For some veterans deaths, DIC is automatic and the Regional Office will recognize from its records and from a death certificate that a benefit is forthcoming. The surviving spouse will receive an application to apply for benefits. For others the benefit is not automatic. Does surviving spouse receive VA pension?

What is a dependency claim? Can wife get VA benefits? Go to our How to Read DIC Rate Tables to find out how to use these rate tables.

The amount of DIC compensation is not based on income and is paid as a tax-free monthly benefit. A survivor eligible for DIC may also be qualified for the Aid and Attendance or Housebound supplement. These supplements are paid in addition to the base payment, and provide a small additional income for persons who either need daily assistance with everyday living tasks or are substantially confined to their home. Mental and physical disabilities are both eligible causes of death for DIC benefits for widows.

A veteran’s death can be service-connected in many different ways, which will be discussed later in-depth. A bill to amend title 3 United States Code, to create a dependency and indemnity compensation allowance for surviving spouses receiving dependency and indemnity compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. The bill’s titles are written by its sponsor.

Select the compensation program below to view current rates. Historical rates are linked from the current rates page, as well. Get help filing or appealing a claim. Spouse SBP annuitants, except for those who remarry after age (or in other specific circumstances), cannot receive full SBP and DIC at the same time (DIC payments made directly to children, or to a guardian on behalf of children, do not affect SBP child annuity payments). Individuals and groups considered to have performed active military, naval, or air service.

Dependency and indemnity compensation. Character of discharge. Survivors are not paid the same monthly amount that the veteran was receiving at their time of death. It’s often confused with the survivor’s pension, but there are important differences between the two benefits.

In this article, I want to answer some of the most common questions that I get asked about DIC benefits. Why do they call it DIC? However, to keep the claim alive, you must appeal within one year of the decision with a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). It is a monetary and tax-free benefit. This benefit is also known as “Service-Connection of the Cause of Death”, because it is paid each month to the survivors of Veterans whose death is related to their military service.

DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a military service member who died while on active duty. A VA-accredited attorney can advise you on how to submit an effective application for dependency and indemnity compensation and determine the evidence that may be needed to help persuade VA to grant to your claim. The current DIC benefit arbitrarily requires the veteran to have had a totally disabling service connected condition for years before their death, if their death isn’t deemed service-connected by the VA.

DIC benefits can be available to dependent parents of a deceased veteran in certain situations, but this benefit operates differently than the program offered to surviving spouses and children—it is a need-based benefit. A child who is eligible for educational assistance and who is also eligible for pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation based on school attendance must elect whether he or she will receive educational assistance or pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation. The loss of any portion of the SBP annuity is known as the Widows Tax.