Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (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 to survivors of veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. Parents DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on of a service member or veteran who died from a service-related cause.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving spouse, one of the following must be true:

• The marriage took place before January 1, 1957.
• The marriage took place within 15 years after their discharge from the military service during which their illness or injury occurred or got worse.
• The marriage has lasted for at least 1 year.
• The couple had a child together and the surviving spouse:
  • either lived with the service member or veteran without a break until their death, or
  • if separated, was not at fault for the separation, and
  • the surviving spouse is not currently remarried.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving spouse, one of the following must be true:

• The marriage took place before January 1, 1957.
• The marriage took place within 15 years after their discharge from the military service during which their illness or injury occurred or got worse.
• The marriage has lasted for at least 1 year.
• The couple had a child together and the surviving spouse:
  • either lived with the service member or veteran without a break until their death, or
  • if separated, was not at fault for the separation, and
  • the surviving spouse is not currently remarried.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving spouse, they must also provide evidence (paper work like military service records, doctor’s reports, or medical test results) showing that one of the following is true:

• The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training.
• The veteran died from a service-related illness or injury.
• The veteran did not die from a service-related illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-related disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time.

For VA DIC eligibility, the veteran’s service-related disability must have been rated as totally disabling during one of the following periods:

• At least 10 years before their death.
• Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death.
• At least 1 year before their death, if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving child, all of the following must be true:

• They are not married.
• They are not included on a surviving spouse’s compensation.
• They are under the age of 18 (or under the age of 23 if they are attending school).

Note: Adopted children, who had a birth parent(s)  or adopted parent(s) who served and meet the other eligibility requirements, may still receive compensation.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving child, they must also provide evidence (paper work such as military service records, doctor’s reports, or medical test results) showing that one of the following is true:

• The service member died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training.
• The veteran died from a service-related illness or injury.
• The veteran did not die from a service-related illness or injury, but was eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-related disability rated as totally disabling for a certain period of time. 

For VA DIC eligibility, the veteran’s service-related disability must have been rated as totally disabling during one of the following periods:

• At least 10 years before their death.
• Since their release from active duty and for at least 5 years immediately before their death.
• At least 1 year before their death if they were a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

Note: “Totally disabling” means the veteran’s service-related illness or injury made it impossible for them to work.

To be eligible for VA DIC benefits as a surviving parent, following must be true:

• They are the biological, adoptive, or foster parent of the service member or veteran.
• Their income is below a certain amount.

There are a few ways for survivors to apply for DIC, depending on their status:

• The military casualty assistance officer may assist survivors in applying for DIC benefits by using and submitting VA Form 21P-534a.
• The survivor may apply directluy for VA DIC benefits by completing and submitting VA Form 21P-534EZ.
• Surviving parent(s), may apply for VA DIC benefits by completing and submitting VA Form 21P-535.

For help with completing and submitting an application for VA DIC benefits, speak with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or contact the local VA benefits office.