Together in Spirit: A Surviving Spouse’s Guide to DIC Benefits

We’ve created a helpful guide to walk you through everything you know, including: 

• Am I Eligible? We’ll cover who’s eligible, so you can ensure you get support.
• How Do I Apply? We’ll guide you through making the process simpler.
• How Do I Maximize My Benefits? Get the full range of support, including additional allowances you may be entitled to.
• Your Questions Answered We’ll cover the most common questions from spouses 

Here’s the basics you need to know:

• Married to a Service Member? If your partner served in the military and you were married, you’re on the right track. The VA looks at marriages to make sure they were legal and recognized.
• When Did You Marry? If you tied the knot before your spouse left the service, or you were married for at least a year, you meet the VA’s requirements for this.
• What about Remarriage? If you remarried after your spouse passed away, this is where the rules get tricky. Generally, if you remarried after turning 55, you might still qualify.
• Living Together: Living with your spouse until they passed away is another key thing to consider. If you were separated, it should not have been due to your actions, in order to be eligible for DIC benefits.

First things first, you’ll need a few important documents:

• 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.
• Any relevant medical records: especially if the death was service-connected.

You’ve got a few options for submitting your application:

• Online: Upload your completed form and documents through the VA’s 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.

Below is a comprehensive list of benefits available to spouses of deceased veterans, including monthly compensation, educational assistance, healthcare, and more:

• Monthly DIC Payment: The primary benefit is a tax-free monetary payment made monthly to eligible surviving spouses at a base rate, with additional amounts for dependent children, and if the surviving spouse is housebound or requires the aid and attendance of another person. Current rates can be found on the VA website here.
• Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits: These are additional payments on top of the base DIC benefit for spouses who require the aid and attendance of another person for personal functions required in everyday living or are substantially confined to their immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
• Educational Assistance (DEA – Chapter 35): Eligible spouses can receive educational benefits for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. Additionally, some schools might offer reduced tuition to DEA beneficiaries.
• Home Loan Guaranty: Surviving spouses may receive a VA guaranty for a mortgage loan, which helps secure better terms such as lower interest rates or the elimination of a down payment.
• Healthcare (CHAMPVA): If the surviving spouse does not qualify for TRICARE (the military’s health insurance program), they might be eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which covers a portion of healthcare costs.
• Burial Benefits: Surviving spouses are entitled to burial benefits that include burial in a national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. There may also be a burial and funeral expense allowance under certain conditions.
• Survivor’s Pension: For low-income surviving spouses of deceased veterans who served during wartime, there’s a survivor’s pension benefit. The amount is based on need and is designed to supplement the survivor’s income to reach a certain level set by law.
• Commissary and Exchange Privileges: Eligible surviving spouses and dependents have access to military commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail facilities.
• State Benefits: Many states offer additional benefits to survivors of deceased veterans, including property tax reductions, educational benefits, and state veterans cemetery burial. Check your local VA offices for more information.
• Counseling and Support Services: Surviving spouses have access to bereavement counseling through the VA to help with the emotional and psychological stress of losing a loved one.

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.