Your Benefits

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Surviving spouses, children, and some dependent parents are eligible to receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a monthly flat-rate payment of a base amount determined periodically by specific Congressional action and not based on the pay grade of the service member. The rate has been adjusted annually for cost of living increases. The DIC payment is non-taxable. The 2013 DIC monthly spouse rate is $1,215. Additional amounts, also adjusted annually, are authorized for a surviving spouse with minor children. The current monthly benefit is $301 for each child. Unmarried children are eligible for the benefit until they reach the age of 18 (19 if still in secondary school), between 18 and 23 if attending a VA approved institution of higher learning, or for life if they are disabled. Children of a deceased member who had no spouse at the time of death receive a different monthly benefit. For more specific information contact your local VA office or access the VA website. It is important to remember that DIC benefits, as with all benefits, will not be paid unless you apply for them.

If a spouse remarries before age 57, payment of the spouse DIC ends. If that subsequent marriage ends in death, divorce, or annulment, DIC will be re-instated. Payment of the children's DIC is not affected by a change in the marital status of the surviving spouse. 

Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) 

Since October 2008, surviving spouses whose Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments have been offset (partially or totally) as a result of receiving DIC, including surviving spouses of members who died while serving on active duty, are eligible for SSIA. Monthly payments are taxable and will be paid until Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 as follows:

FY2012 - $80

FY2013 - $90

FY2014 - $150

FY2015 - $200

FY2016 - $275

FY2017 - $310

Payments will terminate after FY2017.