VA - Survivors' Payments - Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly check paid to eligible survivors....
What is VA - Survivors' Payments - Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Program Requirements
To qualify for this benefit, the claimant(s) must be the eligible surviving spouse or dependent child of a military Servicemember or Veteran who:
- died while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR
- died as a result of a service-connected injury or disease, OR
- died as a result of a non-service connected injury or disease, and who was totally disabled from his/her service-connected disabilities for
- at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR
- since the Veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR
- at least one year immediately preceding death if the Veteran was a former prisoner of war.
For more specific information, refer to the DIC factsheet.
Application Details
What is the application process for VA - Survivors' Payments - Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?
To complete an application, use VA Form 21P-534EZ, "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits", and mail or fax it to the VA Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. Check the PMC Locator to find the PMC having jurisdiction over the claim.