Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) – VA Survivor Benefits

This is monthly benefit for a survivor of a veteran whose death was caused by their time in service or from one of their service-connected impairments.

What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?

DIC is a tax free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Service members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or survivors of veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. DIC for parents is an income based benefit.

The service connected disability or impairment does not have to be the exact cause of death. There are many ways that a veteran’s service connected disability could contribute to his/her cause of death. For example, if the veteran is service-connected for diabetes, and he/she dies of heart disease, this could be considered service related as diabetes is known to cause heart disease.  We are well educated on these matters.  We will help you determine if your loved one’s cause of death may be related to his/her time in service and whether you may qualify for survivor benefits.

In order to qualify for DIC, you must have been married to the veteran for at least one year before death.  In most cases, common law marriage does count.

  • If you are over the age of 55, re-marrying will NOT affect the receipt of VA survivor benefits.
  • If there is no surviving spouse or dependent children, dependent parents may qualify for VA survivor benefits.
  • Dependent children are considered children under the age of 18 (or 23 if they are enrolled in full time schooling).
  • Dependent parents only qualify in limited circumstances. To qualify, there must be a parental relationship to the veteran and the parent’s financial dependency or income eligibility must be determined.

Accrued Benefits

If the veteran had a claim pending at the time of his/her death, the qualifying survivor may also be eligible for accrued benefits. Accrued benefits are the benefits that the veteran was fighting for at the time of his/her death.  An example of this would be if the veteran was fighting for entitlement to a heart condition at the time of death. If this claim is continued by the qualifying survivor, and won, the survivor would be entitled to the back pay from the time the veteran filed the claim until his/her death.

During this difficult time, we will help you file the application and assist you with the appeals process.  We will work closely with our team of private doctors to help win your case.

Let us help you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Questions? Contact Us

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This is a Veteran Owned business.  Our lead attorney is accredited with the VA, admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and a sustaining member of The National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA).

DISCLAIMER: This website communication is considered “ADVERTISING MATERIAL.” The use of the internet and this website or any forms for communication with National Vet Help® does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the firm. Any confidential and/or time sensitive material should not be sent through the use of this form. We are not creating a formal attorney client relationship unless and until you have signed our contingency fee agreement and VA 21-22a. By submitting a form, you agree that a representative of our law firm may contact you. You can trust your submission will be kept confidential and secure.

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Phone: 812-461-0229 | Toll Free 888-212-4876 | Fax: 812-461-0298 | Email: jknapp@nationalvethelp.com
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