About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation.

Information for survivors with PACT Act-related claims

If you think you’re eligible for VA DIC under the PACT Act, you can submit a new application.

If we denied your claim in the past and we think you may be eligible now, we’ll try to contact you. We may be able to reevaluate your claim. But you don’t need to wait for us to contact you before you reapply.

Am I eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse or dependent?

As a surviving spouse

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

And one of these must be true:

• You married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or
• You were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or
• You had a child with the Veteran or service member

Note: If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if one of these describes you:

• You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and you were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, or
• You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

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.

As a surviving child

Eligibility

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

All of these must be true:

• You aren’t married, and
• You aren’t included on the surviving spouse’s compensation, and
• You’re under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if attending school)

Note: If you were adopted out of the Veteran’s or service member’s family, but meet all other eligibility criteria, you still qualify for compensation.

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

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 that was rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time

If the Veteran’s eligibility was due to a service-connected disability rated as 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 make it impossible for them to work.

As a surviving parent

Eligibility

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

Both of these must be true:

• You’re the biological, adoptive, or foster parent of the Veteran or service member, and
• Your income is below a certain amount
  Check the parents DIC rate table

Note: We define a foster parent as someone who served in the role of a parent to the Veteran or service member before their last entry into active service.

Evidence

You’ll need to provide evidence with your claim showing that one of these descriptions is true for the Veteran or service member. Evidence may include documents like military service records, doctor’s reports, and medical test results.

Provide evidence showing that one of these is true:

• The service member died from an injury or illness while on active duty or in the line of duty while on active duty for training, or
• The service member died from an injury or certain illnesses in the line of duty while on inactive training, or
• The Veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury

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.

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.

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).

If you’re a surviving parent, fill out an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535).

You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways:

• Work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.
  Get help filing a 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

Should I submit an intent to file form?

You may want to submit an intent to file form before you apply for DIC benefits. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date). When you notify us of your intent to file, you may be able to get retroactive payments (payments that start at a point in the past).