Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A tax-free monthly payment for qualifying surviving spouses, children, or parents of a veteran who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.

About VA DIC For Spouses, Dependents, And Parents | Veterans Affairs 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 (DIC).

Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation. Information for survivors with PACT Act-related claims If you think you’re eligible for VA DIC under the PACT Act, you can submit a new application. If we denied your claim in the past and we think you may be eligible now, we’ll try to contact you.

We may be able to reevaluate your claim. But you don’t need to wait for us to contact you before you reapply. Learn more about what the PACT Act means for you as a survivor Am I eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent?

You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

You lived with the Veteran or service member without a break until their death, or If you’re separated, you weren’t at fault for the separation And 1 of these must be true: You married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or You were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or You had a child with the Veteran or service member Note: If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if 1 of these describes you: You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and you were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, or You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that 1 of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member.

Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that 1 of these is true: The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training, or The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury, or 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: 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 Note: “Totally disabling” means the Veteran’s injuries made it impossible for them to work.

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

All of these must be true: You aren’t included on the surviving spouse’s compensation, and You’re under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if attending school) Note: If you were adopted out of the Veteran’s or service member’s family, but meet all other eligibility criteria, you still qualify for compensation.

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that 1 of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that 1 of these is true: The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training, or The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury, or 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 If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling, they must have had this rating: 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 Note: “Totally disabling” means the Veteran’s injuries make it impossible for them to work.

Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements.

Both of these must be true: You’re the biological, adoptive, or foster parent of the Veteran or service member, and Your income is below a certain amount Check the parents DIC rate table Note: We define a foster parent as someone who served in the role of a parent to the Veteran or service member before their last entry into active service.

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that 1 of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that 1 of these is true: The service member died from an injury or illness while on active duty or in the line of duty while on active duty for training, or The service member died from an injury or certain illnesses in the line of duty while on inactive training, or The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury Learn more about the evidence you’ll need to support your claim Note: If you’re the survivor of a Veteran who died from COVID-19 and a service-related condition made their illness worse, you may be eligible for VA DIC.

When we review your application, we’ll consider whether a service-related condition contributed to your loved one’s illness. 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 surviving spouses and children DIC benefits for surviving parents If I’m a surviving spouse with dependents, will I get a higher payment amount for my DIC benefit?

You may be eligible for a higher monthly payment if you have 1 of these dependents: A child between 18 and 23 years old who attends school A child over age 18 who is permanently incapable of self-support (needs another person to help perform daily activities) Exception: A surviving spouse entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) isn’t entitled to additional benefits for a child over age 18 who is receiving DIC themself.

How do I apply for survivor benefits? 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 surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty , your military casualty assistance officer will help you to complete an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a). The officer will help you mail the form to the correct VA regional office.

Get VA Form 21P-534a to download If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran , fill out an Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ). Apply for DIC, Survivors Pension, or accrued benefits online Get VA Form 21P-534EZ to download If you’re a surviving parent , fill out an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535).

Get VA Form 21P-535 to download You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: Work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative Use the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA to upload your form online Go to AccessVA to use QuickSubmit Mail your form to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Janesville, WI 53547-5365 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee Find a VA regional office near you Note: After you apply, we may select you to participate in a short survey about your experience with the claim process.

If we select you, we’ll contact you using your email address on file. Sorry, this is taking longer than expected. We’re sorry.

Something went wrong when we tried to load your saved application. Please try refreshing your browser in a few minutes. 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 avoiding a later potential start date (also called an “effective date”). When you notify us of your intent to file, you may be able to get retroactive payments (payments that start at a point in the past).

Find out how to submit an intent to file form How to check your claim status You can check the status of your claim online. The timeline listed there may vary based on how complex your claim is. Check your VA claim status How to check your payment history If you get DIC benefits, you can check your payment history online.

Find out how to view your VA payment history online What to do if we’ve asked you to verify your marital status If you’re a surviving spouse receiving DIC benefits, we’ll ask you at times to verify or report changes to your marital status. You only need to verify your marital status when we specifically ask you to do this. You may have already received a Marital Status Questionnaire (VA Form 21P-0537) from us in the mail.

If you did, you can complete the form and send it back to us. If you need another copy of this form, you can get another copy to download and fill out: Get VA Form 21P-0537 to download Or, you can verify your marital status online. Verify your marital status for DIC benefits Last updated: April 27, 2026