Dependent & Survivor Benefits
Tax-free monthly support for surviving spouses and children — DIC starts at about $1,699 a month, on top of health care and education benefits.
Overview
VA survivor benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the Survivors Pension, CHAMPVA health coverage for certain spouses and children, and related education and burial benefits. These programs are often used together after a veteran’s death, depending on the circumstances.
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The tax-free monthly benefit for survivors of Veterans who died from a service-connected cause — who qualifies, how much it pays, and the related help available to families.
Who may qualify
DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation): a tax-free monthly payment to an eligible surviving spouse, child, or dependent parent when the service member died in the line of duty, or the veteran died from a service-connected condition (or was rated 100% for the required number of years).
Survivors Pension: a needs-based benefit for the low-income surviving spouse or child of a wartime veteran.
CHAMPVA: health coverage for the spouse/surviving spouse and children of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition (or who died from one), when they are not eligible for TRICARE.
Education: the Fry Scholarship (Post-9/11) and DEA (Chapter 35) help survivors and dependents pay for school.
A surviving spouse generally keeps DIC even after remarriage if they remarry at age 55 or older.
How to apply
Learn about & apply for DIC- 1
Gather the veteran’s death certificate, your marriage and birth records, and the veteran’s service and VA claim information.
- 2
For DIC or the Survivors Pension, file VA Form 21P-534EZ.
VA Form 21P-534EZ - 3
For CHAMPVA health coverage, submit VA Form 10-10d.
VA Form 10-10d - 4
Respond promptly to VA requests, and ask about education benefits (Fry Scholarship / Chapter 35) for dependents.
Survivor & family benefits on VA.gov
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702-992-4883Survivors — frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions veterans ask most about this benefit. Still stuck? Ask Albert in the chat, or request a free review with our accredited team.
What is DIC?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible surviving spouses, children, and sometimes parents of a service member or Veteran who died from a service-connected condition (or, in some cases, who was rated totally disabled for a set period before death). It is one of the most important benefits available to survivors.
How much does DIC pay?
The base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is about $1,699.36/month for 2026, and it is tax-free. Additional amounts are added for dependent children, for Aid and Attendance if the survivor needs daily help, and in certain other situations. The payment is adjusted each year with the cost-of-living increase.
Who qualifies as a surviving spouse for DIC?
A surviving spouse generally qualifies if they were married to the Veteran at the time of death and meet duration-of-marriage or other rules. Remarriage after age 57 does not automatically end DIC eligibility. Even where eligibility seems unclear, it is worth applying — the rules contain several exceptions that help survivors.
Can I get DIC if my spouse did not die in combat or on active duty?
Yes. DIC is not limited to combat or active-duty deaths. If the Veteran died from a service-connected condition — for example, a service-connected illness years after discharge — survivors can qualify. DIC may also be payable if the Veteran was rated totally disabled for a required period before death, even if the final cause was not service-connected.
Can children receive DIC?
Yes. Dependent children can receive DIC, either as an added amount on a surviving parent’s award or on their own if there is no eligible surviving spouse. Benefits generally continue while the child is under 18, or up to 23 if in school, and may continue for a child who became permanently disabled before age 18.
Is there help with health care and education for survivors?
Yes. Survivors may qualify for CHAMPVA health coverage, and dependents may be eligible for education benefits through the Fry Scholarship or Chapter 35 (DEA). These programs are separate from DIC and have their own applications — many families are entitled to more than one benefit at the same time.
How do I apply for DIC?
Survivors apply with VA Form 21P-534EZ, online at VA.gov, by mail, or with help from an accredited representative. Filing promptly protects your effective date and back pay. Because survivor claims can involve proving the cause of death was service-connected, this is an area where accredited help is especially valuable.
What should I do right after a Veteran passes away?
Locate the Veteran’s DD-214, gather the death certificate and marriage/birth records, and respond promptly to any VA requests. Ask specifically about DIC, burial benefits, CHAMPVA, and dependent education. Acting sooner rather than later protects effective dates — and an accredited representative can handle the filings so the family does not have to navigate it alone.
