Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monthly monetary benefit given to the surviving spouse, child or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty. The amount ranges from just a few hundred dollars to nearly $4,000.
A surviving spouse must 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 could 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
A surviving child must meet these requirements:
-You’re not married, and
-You’re not included on the surviving spouse’s compensation, and
-You’re under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if attending school)
A surviving parent must 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.