A benefit that is often not widely discussed or known as traditional VA disability benefits for veterans and you, the dependents, is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, otherwise known as DIC benefits. These benefits are different because, unlike other VA benefits that are focused on the service member, DIC is designed specifically for survivors, in an attempt to help with the loss.
Survivors eligible for DIC benefits include spouses, eligible children, and parents who were financially dependent on the veteran.
Each of you face unique challenges in the wake of your loved one’s passing, and the VA created DIC benefits to help mitigate some of these and ensure the sacrifice of your veteran is never forgotten – and that you receive the support you deserve.
In the video below, VA-accredited attorney Shelly Mark discusses DIC Benefits and other benefits available after the death of a veteran:
Are you getting everything you’re entitled to? If you were denied benefits, our legal team may be able to help you. Get a free evaluation of your case today.
Free case evaluationEligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies for DIC?
Trying to navigate criteria for eligible survivors for DIC benefits can seem a little daunting, but having a grasp of the basics is the first step! Here’s a brief breakdown of your veteran’s qualifications:
Service Connection: Your deceased veteran’s death must have been caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, or a condition that can be presumptively linked to their military service.
Active Duty: If your veteran died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, the surviving dependent is usually eligible for DIC. The veteran must not have been discharged for willful misconduct.
Disability Rating: For deaths not directly related to a service-connected condition, DIC may still be awarded if your veteran was rated 100% (totally disabled) for one of the following durations:
- At least 10 years immediately preceding death
- Since release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately preceding death
- At least 1 year prior to death if the veteran was a former Prisoner of War (POW)
These rules also apply if the veteran had been awarded TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability), provided it was recognized as equivalent to a 100% rating.
Am I Eligible for DIC Benefits?
Eligibility for DIC benefits also varies depending on your relationship with your veteran and whether they had a qualifying service-connected disability or total disability rating.
Spouses of Veterans
You may be eligible for DIC if you were married to the veteran at the time of their death and:
- Married for at least one year, or
- Had a child with the veteran, or
- Married before discharge from military service
Note: If you remarried, you may still qualify if you remarried after age 57 (or age 55 for some DoD benefits). If your remarriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment, you may also be eligible to reinstate your DIC benefits.
Find out more about VA benefits for widows→
Dependent Children of Veterans
To qualify, a child must be unmarried and under 18 (or under 23 if attending a VA-approved educational program) OR be permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before the age of 18. Stepchildren qualify under specific conditions.
Note: The child may not receive both DIC and Chapter 35 benefits at the same time, but may choose one over the other and may switch if needed.
Find out more about DIC benefits for dependent children→
Parents of Veterans
Often overlooked, surviving biological, adoptive, or foster parents may qualify if:
- The veteran died from a service-connected condition
- The parent is financially dependent on the veteran
- Income and net worth limits apply, and benefits may be adjusted based on financial need
Parents must file VA Form 21P-535 to apply. Keep in mind that the strict financial thresholds can make many parents ineligible.
Note: Dependent parents cannot benefit from enhanced DIC or transitional DIC. Also, DIC awards may be split between parents if they are not living together.
Find out more about DIC benefits for parents→
What Is the 8-Year Rule for DIC Benefits?
If the veteran was rated as totally disabled (100%) for 8 continuous years immediately before death, and you were married to the veteran for those same 8 years, you may be entitled to an additional monthly benefit known as the “8-Year Rule” enhancement.
As of December 1, 2025, the added amount for qualifying spouses under the 8-Year Rule is $360.85/month. This is added to the base DIC amount and can make a significant difference for long-term survivors.
DIC Pay Rates
DIC rates are set by Congress and typically adjust each year based on cost-of-living (COLA) increases. As of December 1, 2025, the base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36/month. You may also qualify for additional amounts, such as:
- Transitional benefit: $360.85/month (for 2 years if you have dependent children)
- Per dependent child: $421.00/month
- Aid & Attendance (A&A): $421.00/month if you need help with daily living
- Housebound status: $197.22/month if you’re substantially confined to your home
DIC for surviving parents is means-tested, and amounts are calculated based on income and expenses. For current rates, always refer to the VA’s official DIC rates page.
Tips for Successful VA DIC Claims
- You must apply for DIC within one year of the veteran’s death to secure retroactive payments (a DIC claim can still be filed after one year, but retroactive benefits to the date of death will not be granted unless the claim was received within that year). If a DIC claim is filed within one year of the veteran’s death, the effective date can be the first day of the month of death.
- Filing with Social Security may count as a DIC claim automatically, but only if a VA Form 21P-534EZ or equivalent is forwarded and received by the VA in time.
- You may also be eligible for accrued benefits, VA burial reimbursement, Survivor Pension, and CHAMPVA health care. Learn more about survivor benefits.
- There are two legal paths to DIC (when death results from a service-connected disability and when the veteran was rated totally disabled for a qualifying period before death). If you are denied DIC you should seek assistance from a lawyer who can ensure the correct path is used and can argue both theories in the alternative, maximizing the chance of success.
A VA-accredited attorney can play a critical role in assisting survivors with appeals for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and coordinating DIC claims with claims for all other benefits survivors are entitled to receive, making sure no benefits are left unclaimed. Contact us to discuss your case.
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Ursula has been a key advocate at Hill and Ponton since 2017, specializing in building strong evidence for veterans’ cases. She brings both passion and a personal commitment to serving those who have served our nation since she became an veteran disability attorney. With an impressive academic record—including significant research on systemic issues in the VA claims process that contribute to veteran poverty—Ursula is uniquely equipped to navigate the complexities of veterans’ benefits and legal challenges.
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