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Last updated: October 28, 2026. Checked against official sources; reviewed when they change.
Short answer: The surviving spouse, child or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or of a veteran who died from a service-related illness or injury, may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monthly payment, according to VA’s DIC page. Survivors of veterans with wartime service may also qualify for a Survivors Pension.
DIC for surviving spouses
VA says one of these must be true: you lived with the veteran or service member without a break until their death, or, if you separated, you were not at fault. One of these must also be true:
- You married within 15 years of the veteran’s discharge from the period of service in which the qualifying illness or injury began or got worse.
- You were married for at least 1 year.
- You had a child together.
Remarried?
VA says you can receive or keep DIC if you remarried on or after December 16, 2003, at age 57 or older, or on or after January 5, 2021, at age 55 or older.
What the claim must show
Evidence such as service records, doctors’ reports and test results must show one of the following:
| Situation | What VA requires |
|---|---|
| Death in service | The service member died on active duty, active duty for training or inactive-duty training |
| Service-connected death | The veteran died from a service-connected illness or injury |
| Long-term total disability | The veteran was rated totally disabling for at least 10 years before death; or since release from active duty and for at least 5 years before death; or for at least 1 year before death if a former POW who died after Sept. 30, 1999 |
VA invites survivors who think they qualify under the PACT Act to submit a new application, even if an earlier claim was denied.
2026 DIC rates
For veterans who died on or after January 1, 1993, the basic surviving-spouse rate is $1,699.36 a month, effective December 1, 2025, and VA says DIC is tax exempt, according to its DIC rates page. Added amounts apply on top:
| Added amount for a surviving spouse | Monthly (U.S. $) |
|---|---|
| 8-year provision (veteran rated totally disabled for the 8 years before death, and married those same 8 years) | 360.85 |
| Aid and Attendance | 421.00 |
| Housebound allowance | 197.22 |
| Each child under 18 | 421.00 |
| Transitional benefit with children under 18, first 2 years after the death | 359.00 |
When no eligible spouse survives, VA pays the children directly: $717.50 a month for 1 eligible child and $1,032.18 in total for 2, with higher totals for larger families. Survivors of veterans who died before 1993 are paid by the veteran’s pay grade. If you qualify for both DIC and the Survivors Pension, VA pays whichever is larger, not both.
Survivors Pension and other help
VA’s survivor benefits page lists more support:
Our VA home loan guide and GI Bill guide cover those two benefits. VA also lists a Medal of Honor pension for surviving spouses of recipients, and accrued benefits owed to a beneficiary at death.
Getting started
- Collect records. Gather the veteran’s discharge papers, the death certificate, your marriage license and any medical evidence. If the DD214 is missing, next of kin can request it; see how to get a DD-214.
- Apply. Survivors use VA Form 21P-534EZ, the Application for DIC, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits.
- Ask for free help. An accredited VSO representative can help with the claim at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA DIC?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monthly VA payment for eligible surviving spouses, children and parents of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who died from service-related conditions.
Can I keep DIC if I remarry?
Possibly. It depends on your age when you remarried and the date of the marriage; see the remarriage note above.
How long must I have been married to get DIC?
At least 1 year, unless you had a child together or married within 15 years of the veteran’s discharge from the relevant period of service.
Who qualifies for the VA Survivors Pension?
Surviving spouses or unmarried dependent children of veterans with wartime service may qualify, and Aid and Attendance can add to the payment.
Related on Peter’s World
Sources
- VA: About DIC for spouses, dependents and parents
- VA: Current DIC rates for spouses and dependents
- VA: Survivors Pension and DIC
- VA: How to request a home loan COE (survivor forms)
Additional sources
Not affiliated with VA or any government agency. Peter’s World is an independent information site. This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Benefits depend on your own records, so confirm details with VA, your state veterans office or an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent.
By Peter. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources listed above.
