Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected Death

 

To compensate surviving spouses, children and parents for the death of any servicemember who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR any Veteran who: died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service, OR died from a non-service related injury or disease, but was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for a service-connected disability or disabilities that was rated as totally disabling: o for at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR o since the Veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR o for at least one year before death if the Veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

Active 64.110 Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs D - Direct Payments With Unrestricted Use Fiscal Year 2016 394,979 cases of survivors were receiving benefits
Fiscal Year 2017 405,038 cases of survivors were receiving benefits
Fiscal Year 2018 405,038 cases of survivors were receiving benefits
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 19, 429,585 Survivors received benefits. (FY 20 est.: 443,288 Survivors; FY 21 est.: 456,463 Survivors)
Fiscal Year 2023 Fiscal Year 2023: VBA processed 58,998 initial claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) in FY2023. 45,070 survivors began receiving DIC benefits in FY2023 for an average annual individual benefit of $19,943. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 38 U.S.C. 1121-1318 Death Compensation is payable to an unmarried surviving spouse, unmarried children and dependent parent or parents of the deceased Veteran who died before January 1, 1957, because of a service-connected disability. For deaths on or after January 1, 1957, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to an unmarried surviving spouse, unmarried children and dependent parent or parents of the deceased Veteran. DIC is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of a military servicemember who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of a Veteran who: o died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service, OR o died from a non-service-related injury or disease, but was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for a service-connected disability or disabilities that was rated as totally disabling: o for at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR o since the Veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR o for at least one year before death if the Veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999. The surviving parent(s) must have an income below a limit established by law, 38 U.S. Code 5312. Effective December 2023, surviving spouses who receive DIC and have one or more children under age 18 will receive an additional $399.54 each month for eligible child for the first two years following the Veteran's death, as well as another additional $342 per month as a transitional benefit for the first two years after the Veteran's death. Only one monthly child supplement payment is made, regardless of the number of minor children on the surviving spouse's award. This increased rate applies only to months "occurring" during the two-year period beginning on the date entitlement to DIC began. It ceases on the first month beginning after the expiration of the two-year period or the month in which all of the surviving spouse's children have attained the age of 18, or are removed from the award, whichever is earlier. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC Surviving spouses, children and parents of deceased Veterans. Death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate(s), and military discharge certificate. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. An application (VA Form 21-534, VA Form 21-534a, or VA Form 21-534EZ for surviving spouses, and or children; 21-535 for parents) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office. Applications are also available on-line at https://www.va.gov/find-forms. Awards are authorized at the regional office. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 90 to 120 days. On average, approved/disapproved within 102 days. Approximately 65 percent completed in 125 days or less. In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits. Not applicable. Not applicable. No restrictions. Not applicable. Not applicable. None. Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or parent must be reported promptly. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC. Also, a change in school attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report changes in income promptly. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or parent must be reported promptly. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC. Also, a change in school attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report changes in income promptly. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. See Regional Assistance Locations. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices. VBA, Pension and Fiduciary Service
1800 G Street
Washington, DC 20006 US
Pension.Fiduciary.VBACO@va.gov
Phone: (800) 827-1000 https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/ 36-0102-0-1-701 (Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 22$8,560,489,084.00; FY 23 est $9,697,268,482.00; FY 24 est $10,175,534,424.00; FY 19$7,282,705,000.00; FY 20 est $8,496,064,000.00; FY 21 est $8,093,522,000.00; FY 16$6,589,909,000.00; FY 18 Estimate Not Available FY 17 est $6,950,613,000.00; - Monthly rates of DIC range from $680.94 for one child when no spouse is entitled; starting at $1,612.75 up to $3,495.83 for a surviving spouse, with $399.54 additional if the surviving spouse is in need of aid and attendance, or $187.17 if housebound. A surviving spouse is also entitled to an additional $399.54 monthly for each child under age 18. Monthly rates for parents range from $5 to $799 depending upon income and whether single or married. An additional $434 is payable if the parent is in need of aid and attendance. These rates were effective December 1, 2023, for DIC and Parents DIC. 38 CFR 3.4(C) and 3.5; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4 Not applicable.