The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to providing benefits for all active duty service members, veterans, and their families. When a service member or veteran dies, the surviving family members can often be in a position to continue receiving benefits, especially if they were financially dependent on their loved one.
These survivor benefits can provide a much-needed monthly payment for those who have endured not only a personal loss, but also a financial loss in both their current and future earning capability. The largest of such programs for survivors is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
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What Is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a VA-run program intended to compensate eligible family members whose close family relation has passed away. The deceased must have served in one of the six branches of the military or, in some cases, the National Guard or Reserves. The veteran must also meet one of the following criteria:
- They were a service member who died while in active duty, active duty while training, or inactive duty training, OR
- They were a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected illness or injury, OR
- They were a veteran who was totally disabled due to a service-connected disability and was disabled for at least 10 years, OR at least five years after their discharge if they had been receiving total VA disability compensation, OR at least one year after discharge if they were a prisoner of war (POW) and died after Sept. 30, 1999.
DIC pays out a monthly cash benefit to survivors, though this amount will vary depending on your relationship to the deceased, financial circumstances, and living situation. For example, if you have any dependents living with you, this can increase your pay. DIC recipients can also qualify for other programs run through the VA like health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), a survivor’s pension, education, and training through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) Program, or career counseling.
Surviving spouses and surviving dependent children typically are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation, and in some cases, dependent parents may also qualify. Survivors apply for DIC benefits using VA Form 21P-534EZ, or Application of DIC, Death Pension, or Accrued Benefits.
Who Is Eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
- Widow or Surviving Spouse
- Surviving Children
- Parents
If you are an eligible survivor it’s essential you know about your options for receiving VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. This tax-free cash benefit is reserved for surviving spouses and widows, surviving children, and in some cases surviving parents. In most cases, DIC will not be automatically awarded and it will be up to the family members to apply with the VA and provide the relevant documentation.
How Much Does VA DIC Pay?
The amount you’ll receive depends on your relationship to the deceased, when the veteran died, and your household income and living situation. Each year, base rates are reviewed and modified. In 2022, rates are set to increase by 5.9% to account for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) cost of living adjustments.
Your VA benefit will typically be a flat rate offered to all who meet the criteria. Depending on your circumstances, there may be a set of additional criteria that could earn you additional benefits from DIC or other VA programs like Aid and Attendance or Housebound. For surviving spouses, you will receive additional payments for each dependent child under the age of 18 you have, and you could receive more if your spouse had a VA disability rating of totally disabled or 100%.
For surviving children, your payment may vary depending on your age, whether you’re attending school, or if you’re considered a helpless child who became unable to support themselves before they turned 18. For parents, your rate will depend on your income and whether one or two surviving parents are living in the household.
2022 VA DIC Rates for Widows, Spouses, and Dependents
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs strives to ensure that the benefits paid to veterans and their dependents retain their value and purchasing power over time, despite economic changes caused by inflation. The VA follows the lead of the Social Security Administration, which, each year, makes a cost of living adjustment to its benefit rates – this adjustment is known as the COLA. Once the SSA releases its COLA for the year, the VA is required by law to make corresponding adjustments to its benefit rates.
In 2022, the VA’s dependency and indemnity compensation rates received a 5.9% increase, up from a 1.3% increase in 2021. The increase affects not only the base benefit rate for a survivor but also additional benefits awarded based on specific circumstances, like having a school-age child. The charts presented here will help walk you through the specific changes you can expect to your benefit amount, depending on your particular circumstances.
New rates went into effect on Dec. 1, 2021.
- Surviving spouse rates if the veteran died on or after January 1, 1993
- Surviving spouse rates if the veteran died before January 1, 1993
- DIC rates for the surviving child of a veteran
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died on or after January 1, 1993
| Surviving Spouse of a Veteran | Monthly Payment Rate |
| $1,437.66 |
You may be eligible for an increased monthly payment. Find any descriptions in the table below that are true for you. Add the amount listed in the Added monthly amount column to calculate your total monthly payment.
| If this description is true… | Benefit | Added Monthly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 8-year provision | $305.28 |
| Aid and Attendance | $356.16 |
| Housebound allowance | $166.85 |
|
|
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How To Calculate Your DIC Payment
If you’re the surviving spouse of a Veteran, your monthly rate would start at $1,437.66. Then, for each additional benefit you qualify for, you would add the amounts from the Added amounts table.
In this example, here is the total monthly payment for someone with 1 child under age 18, and who qualifies for the 8-year provision.
Total monthly payment for the first 2 years
$1,437.66 (monthly rate)
+ $356.16 (1st child under age 18)
+ $305.28 (8-year provision)
+ $306.00 (transitional benefit for the first 2 years after veteran’s death)
= $2,405.10 per month
Total monthly payment after 2 years (when transitional benefit ends)
$2,405.10 (with transitional benefit)
– $306.00 (transitional benefit)
= $2,099.10 per month
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died before January 1, 1993
Surviving spouse, with or without dependent children
To find your monthly payment, you must first determine the veteran’s pay grade category. Find their specific pay grade in the left column and the matching monthly payment to the right. Then, add any added or increased amounts that apply to you based on the veteran’s disability rating and family members.
Note: If you’re the surviving spouse of a service member not covered in this table, you will receive the DIC rate for enlisted E-3.
| Enlisted Veteran Pay Grades E-1 to E-9 | |
|---|---|
| Veteran’s Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
| E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 | $1,437.66 |
| E-7 | $1,487.35 |
| E-8 | $1,570.20 |
| E-9 Regular | $1,637.64 |
E-9 Special Capacity – Veteran Served as:
| $1,767.80 |
| Added or Increased Amounts | |
|---|---|
| If this description is true… | Adjusted Monthly Payment |
| Add $305.28 |
| Increase payment to $1,742.94 |
| Add $356.16 per child |
| Warrant Officer Pay Grades W-1 to W-4 | |
|---|---|
| Veteran’s Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
| W-1 | $1,518.14 |
| W-2 | $1,578.47 |
| W-3 | $1,624.62 |
| W-4 | $1,719.28 |
| Added or Increased Amounts | |
|---|---|
| If this description is true… | Adjusted Monthly Payment |
| Increase payment to $1,742.94 |
| You have 1 or more children who are under age 18 | Add $356.16 per child |
| Officer Pay Grades O-1 to O-10 | |
|---|---|
| Veteran’s Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
| O-1 | $1,518.14 |
| O-2 | $1,570.20 |
| O-3 | $1,677.86 |
| O-4 | $1,778.43 |
| O-5 | $1,957.12 |
| O-6 | $2,206.80 |
| O-7 | $2,381.89 |
| O-8 | $2,616.20 |
| O-9 | $2,798.41 |
| O-10 regular | $3,069.37 |
O-10 special capacity – Veteran served as:
| $3,294.20 |
| Added or Increased Amounts | |
|---|---|
| If this description is true… | Adjusted Monthly Payment |
| Increase payment to $1,742.94 |
| You have 1 or more children who are under age 18 | Add $356.16 per child |
How To Calculate Your DIC Payment
If you are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran whose pay grade was O-3, your monthly rate would start at $1,677.86. Then, for each additional benefit you qualify for, add or adjust your monthly rate using the Added or Increased Amounts table.
In this example, here is the total monthly payment for someone with the 0-3 monthly rate who qualifies for the 8-year provision and has 3 children under age 18.
$1,677.86 (monthly rate)
+ 8-year provision for O-3 = Increase payment to $1,742.94
$1,742.94
+ $356.16 (rate for 1st child under age 18)
+ $356.16 (rate for 2nd child under age 18)
+ $356.16 (rate for 3rd child under age 18)
= $2,811.42 total monthly payment
2022 VA DIC Rates for Surviving Child
| Surviving dependent child of a Veteran, when the Veteran has no surviving spouse | Monthly Payment |
| $607.02 |
| Surviving, unmarried adult child of a Veteran, when the Veteran’s surviving spouse is also eligible for DIC | |
|---|---|
| Child status | Monthly Payment |
| Child between ages 18 and 23 who’s in a qualified school program | $301.74 |
| Helpless child over age 18(An adult child who became permanently disabled before age 18) | $607.02 |
| Surviving eligible child of a Veteran, when the Veteran doesn’t have a surviving spouse who’s eligible for DIC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number of Eligible Children | Monthly Rate for Each Child | Monthly Payment |
| 1 | $607.02 | $607.02 |
| 2 | $436.62 | $873.24 |
| 3 | $379.83 | $1,139.49 |
| 4 | $339.01 | $1,356.03 |
| 5 | $314.51 | $1,572.57 |
| 6 | $298.19 | $1,789.11 |
| 7 | $286.52 | $2,005.65 |
| 8 | $277.77 | $2,222.19 |
| 9 | $270.97 | $2,438.73 |
Payment is based on the number of the veteran’s eligible surviving children. To be eligible you must meet at least one of these requirements:
- You are under age 18, or
- You are between ages 18 and 23 and in a VA-approved school program, or
- You are permanently unable to support yourself due to a disability that happened before age 18
| Added Amounts |
|---|
|
Who Is Eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
There are three main groups of people who can qualify for Dependency Indemnity Compensation: a surviving spouse, a dependent child, or a surviving parent. However, within each of these categories, there are requirements you must meet to start receiving DIC benefits.
Widow or Surviving Spouse
If your spouse died as a result of their military service, you may be eligible for indemnity compensation. However, you will only qualify if you meet a certain set of criteria. In some cases, you may be able to receive benefits if you weren’t married but were cohabiting, though this is usually only reserved for unmarried couples who share minor-aged children. If the deceased veteran had children, the surviving spouse will often receive an additional benefit for each child. For all claims, you’ll likely have to present evidence that proves the military status of your spouse or the credibility of your relationship that may include marriage certificates, birth certificates, medical records, or test results.
In general, it’s possible to receive benefits if you lived with a veteran or service member up until the time of their death (usually in a legal marriage). Some claimants may be eligible for benefits if they were separated or divorced from their spouse, but they must prove they were not at fault for the separation. For most applicants, your marriage must meet one of the following criteria:
- You married the veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge, OR
- You were married to them for at least a year, OR
- You had a child together (with or without being married)
In most cases, a widow will be ineligible to receive benefits if they’ve remarried, though certain exceptions apply for those who remarried later in life. If you were over the age of 57 and remarried after December 16, 2003, or if you were 55 or older and married after January 5, 2021, you may still be able to receive a DIC benefit based on your previous marriage.
Surviving Children
Most DIC benefits for children are reserved for minors who were financially dependent on their parent. A surviving child of a deceased veteran or service member can qualify for a DIC payment if they are under the age of 18 (or between the ages of 19 and 23 and currently attending school), unmarried, and not currently included in the survivor benefit plan of a surviving spouse. Some adult-age children who are deemed to be “helpless,” meaning they have a lifelong condition that prevents them from supporting themselves and developed before they turned 18, may be able to receive benefits if they’re over the age of 23.
Parents
In some cases, the surviving parents of a deceased veteran or service member can collect compensation. However, they must meet low-income requirements as well as be the biological, adoptive, or foster parent of the deceased. Typically, surviving parents will receive the lowest level of payout compared with a widow or child.
How To Apply for DIC Benefits
The forms you’ll need to complete to apply for your VA compensation will depend on your relationship with the deceased veteran and whether they were on active duty at the time of their death. Surviving spouses and children of veterans should fill out VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits), and surviving parents will need to fill out VA Form 21P-535 (Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s)).
If you are the surviving spouse or child of an active duty service member, you will need to fill out VA Form 21P-534a (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child). Note that if your deceased family member was on active duty when they died, you’ll be assisted in this process by the military casualty assistance officer (CAO) who’s been assigned to work with your family.
Almost every VA claim needs to include documentation that attests to the familial relationship, financial status, or the manner of death. This will vary for each applicant but may include the veteran’s death certificate, medical records, marriage license, divorce decrees, child support payment information, birth certificates, adoption papers, or income and asset verification. In other cases, if the deceased veteran is many years retired or separated from the military, you may have to provide medical evidence proving the cause of death was due to a service-related illness or condition. However, if the veteran had already been receiving disability benefits, this may not be necessary.
There is no time limit to file a DIC claim, but some claimants may be able to receive back pay if they file within the first years after the veteran died. If you know you’ll need additional time to obtain these documents, you can submit VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension) which gives you a year to gather evidence and apply. By doing this, it can increase the likelihood you’ll receive retroactive payments.
Applying for the DIC benefit can be done in one of four ways: online by uploading your documents through the AccessVA website, working with an accredited representative, visiting your closest veterans service office, or by mailing your completed forms to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Can DIC Benefits Affect VA Pension or Survivor Benefit Plan?
Many survivors may qualify for other forms of aid through VA pension benefits, and this is typically done through the Survivors Pension or Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). In the case of a VA survivors pension, qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans receive monthly benefits if they meet income and net worth eligibility criteria determined by Congress. If you qualify for Survivors Pension and DIC, the VA will pay you for whichever benefit pays out the most, but you cannot receive both.
However, if you’re currently receiving an SBP payment, the rules are a little different. The Survivor Benefit Plan is a voluntary annuity program some military members choose to participate in – in these cases, the military member purchases the plan as a retirement benefit. The annuity then pays a monthly benefit for life. Please note that the Survivor Benefit Plan is not administered by the VA – instead, it is overseen by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which is part of the Department of Defense.
If your veteran family member participated in the Survivor Benefit Plan and you also qualify for DIC benefits, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to draw a full benefit payment from both programs. Instead, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service likely will reduce your benefit by the amount of your DIC benefit payment. And in cases where a DIC payment is greater than the total SBP payment, the SBP payments will stop completely, resulting in what’s known as the SBP/DIC offset.
Make sure you notify the Defense Finance and Accounting Service as soon as you learn you are eligible for DIC benefits so that they can immediately reduce your SBP payment amount. This may keep you from owing money in the future. If the Defense Finance and Accounting Service pays you more than the offset amount in SBP payments after you begin receiving DIC benefits, this amount will be considered an overpayment, which you will be required to pay back.
The only case in which a survivor may be eligible for both full benefit amounts is if the surviving spouse receives an SBP benefit for a deceased spouse, then remarries and receives DIC benefits for a deceased second spouse – or vice versa.
2022 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates
Survivor benefits are a large part of the VA’s commitment to serving the country’s armed forces and their families who supported them and now must carry on after they’ve gone. Whether your family member served in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Navy, as long as you meet the criteria laid out by the VA, you could collect a benefit.
In 2022, survivors who receive dependency and indemnity compensation can expect to see one of the most substantial increases to their monthly compensation amounts in recent years. It’s important to understand how this increase affects your particular situation, along with the bump you can expect to see in your monthly benefit amount. The information presented here can help you verify that your monthly benefits are increasing correctly in response to economic inflation.
Whether you’ve had a loved one pass away recently or years ago, there is no time limit for applying for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If you think you qualify, apply for DIC benefits today.
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