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

One of these must be true:

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

Provide evidence showing that one 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
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

How do I apply for compensation?
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 DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits 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, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ).

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 representative.
Get help filing your claim

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
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365

Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.
Find a VA regional office near you

Added amounts for surviving spouses
Effective December 1, 2022

If this description is true… You may qualify for this benefit Added monthly amount (in U.S. $)
The Veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabling (including for individual unemployability) for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and
You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years
8-year provision
331.84
You have a disability and need help with regular daily activities (like eating, bathing, or dressing)
Aid and Attendance
387.15
You can’t leave your house due to a disability
Housebound allowance
181.37
You have 1 or more children who are under 18
Transitional benefit, and
DIC apportionment rate
332.00 for the first 2 years after the Veteran’s death
387.15 for each eligible child
Example of how to calculate your DIC payment
If you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran, your monthly rate would start at $1,562.74.

Then for each additional benefit you qualify for, you would add the amounts from the Added amounts table.

In this example: We show the total monthly payment for someone with 2 children under 18, and who qualifies for the 8-year provision and Aid and Attendance.

Total monthly payment for the first 2 years

$1,562.74 (monthly rate)
+ $387.15 (first child under 18)
+ $387.15 (second child under 18)
+ $331.84 (8-year provision)
+ $387.15 (Aid and Attendance)
+ $332.00 (transitional benefit for the first 2 years after the Veteran’s death)
= $3,388.03 per month

свернуть