Veterans Survivor Benefits

Assistance for Immediate Family Members

You may be able to receive Dependency or Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if you are a survivor of:

• A service member who died on active duty.
• A veteran who died from service-related disabilities.
• A veteran who was being paid 100% disability compensation at time of death.

DIC is a monthly check paid to eligible survivors of certain deceased veterans.

To get DIC, you must be an eligible survivor of a veteran who died because of a service-related illness or injury.

If the veteran’s death was not service related, you may still be eligible if either of these conditions existed at the time of death:

• The veteran was getting VA disability compensation for a total disability for the past 10 years. This also includes veterans who would have received VA compensation but did not because they were getting military retirement or disability pay.
• The veteran was getting VA disability compensation for a total disability continuously since being released from active duty and for at least five years.

You may be an eligible survivor if:

• You were married to the veteran for at least one year. If a child was born, there is no time requirement.
• Your marriage was valid.
• You lived with the veteran continuously until his/her death or, if you separated, you were not at fault and
• You did not remarry.

Or

• You are an unmarried child of a deceased veteran under the age of 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school.

Note: If you remarried, entitlement to DIC may be restored if the subsequent remarriage is terminated by death or divorce.

Certain helpless adult children and some parents of deceased veterans are entitled to DIC. Call the VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 for the eligibility requirements for these survivors.

How Much Does VA Pay?

Please visit benefits.va.gov/Compensation/current_rates_dic.asp for the latest rates.

How Can I Apply?

You should contact your local Pinellas County veterans service officer for help.

We will be glad to help you understand these benefits and apply for programs and services.