Survivor Benefits

You may be able to receive dependency or indemnity compensation if you are a survivor of:

• A service member who died in active duty
• A veteran who died from service-related disabilities
• A veteran who was being paid 100 percent disability compensation at time of death.

DIC is a monthly check paid to eligible survivors of certain deceased veterans.

To get DIC, you must be an eligible survivor of a veteran who died because of a service-related illness or injury.

If the veteran's death was not service-related, you may still be eligible if either of the following conditions existed at the time of death:

• The veteran was getting VA Disability Compensation for a total disability for the last 10 years. (Note: this also includes veterans who would have received VA compensation but didn't because they were getting military retirement or disability pay).
• The veteran was getting VA Disability Compensation for a total disability continuously since released from active duty and for at least 5 years.

You may be an eligible survivor if:

• You were married to the veteran for at least 1 year (Note: If a child was born, there is no time requirement) and
• Your marriage was valid, and
• You lived with the veteran continuously until his/her death or, if you separated, you weren't at fault, and
• You did not remarry. (Note: If you remarried, entitlement to DIC may be restored if the subsequent remarriage is terminated by death or divorce.)

or

• You are an unmarried child of a deceased veteran and
• You are under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school.

(Note: Certain helpless adult children and some parents of deceased veterans are entitled to DIC. Call VA toll free (1-800-827-1000) for the eligibility requirements for these survivors.)

How can I apply?

Click here to view form.

Veterans Service Commission is available to help you understand these benefits and to apply for programs and services for which you may be eligible.