Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

What is DIC?

DIC is a tax‑free monthly benefit for survivors of Service members who died on active duty or Veterans whose death resulted from service‑connected injury or disease.

Circumstances Covered

• Death while on active duty, active training, or inactive training.
• Veteran death from service‑connected conditions—including VA medical treatment or program participation.
• Veterans rated 100% (including TDIU or POW) for required durations.

Who Qualifies?

Surviving Spouses

• Lived with the Veteran until death (or separated through no fault).
• Married ≥1 year, or within 15 years of discharge when condition began, or had a child together.
• Remarriage after age 57 (or 55 post‑Jan 2021) does not bar benefits.

Surviving Children

• Unmarried and under age 18 (or under 23 if in school).
• Includes adopted and step‑children meeting criteria.

Surviving Parents

• Biological, adoptive, or foster parents with income below VA thresholds.
• “Foster parent” means served as the child’s parent before the Veteran’s last entry on active duty.
• COVID‑19 Exception: If a service‑related condition worsened COVID‑19, survivors may qualify.

Evidence Required

• Military service records showing death circumstances.
• Medical records proving service‑connection or disability rating durations:
• 10 years total disability, or
• 5 years immediately before death, or
• 1 year if POW after September 1999.

How to Apply

Choose the correct form:

• VA Form 21P‑534a – surviving spouse/child of active‑duty death (via casualty assistance officer).
• VA Form 21P‑534EZ – surviving spouse/child of Veteran death.
• VA Form 21P‑535 – surviving parents.

You can submit your form by:

• Mail to VA Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547‑5365
• Upload via AccessVA QuickSubmit
• Work with an accredited attorney, agent, or VSO representative
• Visit your local VA regional office

Should I Apply for SBP Too?

You may be able to receive both DIC and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments—though SBP may offset DIC. Compare options on VA.gov.