Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments may be authorized for surviving spouses who have not remarried, unmarried children under age 18, disabled children, children between the age of 18 and 23 (if attending a Veterans Administration (VA) approved school), and low-income parents of Service members who die from:

 * A disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active duty or active duty for training. 

 * An injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty while on inactive duty training.

 * A disability compensable by the Veterans Affairs.

DIC paid to a surviving spouse is not based on the member’s military pay grade.  The amount paid for a spouse with one or more children of the deceased is increased for each child.  The amount of the DIC payment for parents varies according to the number of parents, the amount of their individual or combined total annual income, and whether they live together or if remarried and are living with a spouse.  The surviving spouse and parents who receive DIC may be granted a special allowance for aid and attendance if a patient is in a nursing home, is disabled, or blind and needs or requires the regular aid and attendance of another person.  If they are not so disabled as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person but due to disability, are permanently housebound, they may be granted additional special allowances.  DIC payments to a surviving spouse are payable for life, as long as the spouse does not remarry.  Should the surviving spouse remarry before age 57, payments are terminated for life. 

 CLAIMS FORMS

https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534a-ARE.pdf   APPLICATION FOR DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION BY A SURVIVING SPOUSE OR CHILD - IN-SERVICE DEATH ONLY

For further information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Website: www.va.gov or contact your Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO).