What Benefits Do Surviving Spouses Get After the Veteran’s Death?

Losing a spouse who served in the military is a difficult change. It’s not just about the loss of the loved one but also adapting to dealing with life’s challenges independently.

The VA provides survivor benefits to support widows and widowers. These offer critical help, especially if the veteran was rated 100% disabled before death.

The VA Benefits a Widow(er) Is Entitled to Receive

A veteran’s disability compensation benefits do not automatically continue directly to a spouse after death. You must apply for specific survivor programs. Eligible surviving spouses may qualify for: 

• Accrued benefits from a pending claim (if the veteran dies before the decision)
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Monthly payment for service-connected deaths
• Other survivor benefits

What Happens to VA Disability Benefits After a Veteran’s Death?

The VA stops the veteran’s monthly disability check upon their death. However, you can substitute yourself in any of their pending claims. This allows you to win retroactive compensation on behalf of the veteran.

You can also get monthly benefits if the veteran’s cause of death is service-connected. VA-accredited attorneys Allison Reddick and Rachel Cheek explain benefits for widows in this video:

If you were denied your rightful benefits, our legal team may be able to help you. Get in touch and let us review your claim – we win 96% of the cases we handle.

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DIC Benefits for Surviving Spouses

The primary benefit available to surviving spouses is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This tax-free monthly benefit supports eligible spouses, children, and parents of deceased veterans. 

DIC provides vital financial relief when a veteran’s death is connected to their military service. You receive these payments for life, unless you remarry before age 57 and remain married.

Learn more about DIC benefits and effective dates.

Other VA Benefits for Spouses 

Beyond monthly compensation, the VA offers several programs to help you manage healthcare, education, and housing costs.

• Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits: The VA adds these payments to your base DIC benefit if you require another person’s help with daily personal functions or if a permanent disability confines you to your home.
• Educational Assistance (DEA – Chapter 35): You can receive educational benefits for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. Some schools also offer reduced tuition to DEA beneficiaries. 
• Home Loan Guaranty: You may receive a VA guaranty for a mortgage loan. This helps secure better terms, such as lower interest rates or the elimination of a down payment. 
• Healthcare (CHAMPVA): If you do not qualify for TRICARE (the military’s health insurance program), you may be eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This program covers a portion of healthcare costs. 
• Burial Benefits: You are entitled to burial benefits, including burial in a national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Under certain conditions, the VA also provides a burial and funeral expense allowance. 
• Survivor’s Pension: This is a needs-based benefit for low-income surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans. The amount supplements your income to reach a certain level set by law. This may also include Aid & Attendance or Housebound allowances. 
• Commissary and Exchange Privileges: You retain access to military commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail facilities. 
• State Benefits: Many states offer additional support, such as property tax reductions, educational benefits, and state veterans cemetery burial. Check your local VA offices for more information. 
• Counseling and Support Services: You have access to free bereavement counseling through the VA to help manage the emotional and psychological stress of losing a loved one. 

DIC Requirements for a Surviving Spouse

Marriage Requirements

The VA uses specific rules to decide if you qualify as a surviving spouse. You must meet these legal standards:

1. Legally Married to a Service Member: If your partner served in the military and you were married, you’re on the right track. You must have a legal and recognized marriage to the service member. 

2. Marriage Duration: You qualify If you tied the knot before your spouse left the service OR you were married for at least a year (regardless of the date of the marriage), 

3. Remarriage Rules: If you remarried after turning 57, you’re eligible. If you remarried before 57, DIC benefits stop. However, they can resume if the remarriage ends in divorce, annulment, or death.

4. Living Together: Living with your spouse until they passed away is another key thing to consider. Separation will disqualify you – but if you were separated through no fault of your own, you could still get DIC benefits. The VA will examine marital history and intent.

Veteran’s Requirements

To be eligible for DIC, you must be a surviving spouse, and the veteran’s death must fall into one of these categories:

1. Death on Active Duty: The veteran died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. 
2. Service-Connected Death: A service-connected injury or illness caused the veteran’s death. This applies even if the death occurred many years after their military service. 
3. The 100% Disability Rule: You can get DIC benefits even if the veteran’s death was not directly caused by a service-connected condition. To qualify, the VA must have rated the veteran as 100% disabled for at least 10 continuous years prior to death (for shorter durations, see below).

These DIC benefits are sometimes referred to as presumed service-connected death benefits.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for the Spouse After Death

If  the VA rated your veteran as 100% permanently and totally disabled at the time of their death, you may still qualify for DIC – even if the direct cause of death was not service-connected. 

This applies if the veteran held a 100% total disability rating (including TDIU) for one of these specific periods:

• At least 10 continuous years immediately before death
• At least 5 years immediately before death, since separation from military service
• At least 1 year before death, if the veteran was a former prisoner of war (POW)

Applying for DIC as the Widow(er) of a Veteran

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

You must prove the veteran’s service and your relationship to them. Collect these documents before you start:

• Your spouse’s DD214 or other military discharge papers. This shows their service history and status. 
• Death Certificate: To prove the loss of your spouse. 
• Marriage Certificate: To confirm your marriage to the service member.
• Medical Records: especially if the death was service-connected.

Step 2: Fill Out the Form

You will use VA Form 21P-534EZ. You can download the latest version from the official VA website.  Take your time and be thorough when filling the form to ensure every section is accurate.

Step 3: Submit Your Application 

You have three main ways to send your claim to the VA:

• Online: Upload your completed form and documents through the VA website. 
• Mail: Send everything to the VA’s claims intake center. The address is on the form.
• In-Person: Visit a local VA office if you prefer to hand in your documents face-to-face.

Step 4: Wait for a Response 

After you submit your application, there will be a waiting period where the VA will review your application. This can take time, so patience is key. You can check the status of your application online or by calling the VA.

Know Your Rights and Options 

A VA-accredited representative or a Veterans’ Service Organization (VSO) can guide you through the process. If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Hill & Ponton’s VA lawyers may be able to fight on your behalf to win everything you’re entitled to receive.

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How to Get All the Benefits You Deserve

Make sure you understand the full range of benefits available to you and request the support you need. Here are a few tips:

1. Check for Additional Allowances

Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for additional payments on top of the basic DIC benefit, including: 

• Aid & Attendance (A&A): If you need help with daily activities or are housebound, look into A&A benefits.
• Dependent Children: If you have children under 18, you could receive additional payments for them.

2. Stay Informed About Rate Changes 

DIC rates usually change year-to-year because of annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on disability rates and other changes that might impact your benefits.

3. Update Your Information 

Always notify the VA when your life changes. Whether it’s a new address, a change in marital status or adding a child to your benefits, keeping the VA informed ensures your benefits reflect your current situation.

4. Explore Educational Benefits

As a surviving spouse, you may also qualify for educational benefits, like the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program or the Fry Scholarship. These benefits help cover tuition, books, housing, and other expenses if you want to further your education.