| | | Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may be authorized to the survivors of military personnel who die in the line of duty while on active duty or active duty for training. If death occurs during inactive duty for training, benefits are payable in some cases. Compensation may be authorized when death occurs following service mentioned above if death is due to a service-connected disability. DIC payments may be authorized for surviving spouses who have not remarried, unmarried children under 18 (as well as certain helpless children and those between 18 and 23 if attending a VA-approved school), and low income parents of deceased veterans. DIC may also be paid in certain cases involving death unrelated to military service. This is possible only if the veteran was totally disabled immediately prior to death as a result of disability related to military service, and was recognized by the VA as having such disability. More information about this special provision is available from your nearest VA regional office.
Rates of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Spouses’ Payments — Surviving spouses of veterans who died on or after January 1, 1993, receive $911 a month. That rate is increased by $197 per month if the veteran was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, continuously for at least eight years prior to death. For a spouse entitled to DIC based on the veteran’s death prior to January 1, 1993, the amount paid is $881 or an amount based on the veteran’s pay grade whichever is greater. If the death occurred prior to January 1, 1993 and the veteran was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, continuously for at least eight years prior to death, then the amount paid is the higher of the amount based on the pay grade or $911 plus $197. The table shows the rates based on “pay grades” which correspond to military ranks. Payments are not affected by income that the spouse may receive from earnings or other sources. If the spouse receives SBP benefits under the Survivor Benefits Plan administered by the Department of Defense, the law requires offset of SBP payments against DIC payments.
If the surviving spouse remarries, DIC is normally terminated. However, Public Law 102-86, restores DIC payments to certain remarried spouses and dependent children who were eligible for such benefits on October 31, 1990, (whose marital or dependent status has remained unchanged.) Spouses will receive an additional DIC payment of $229 for each child under 18 who is in the spouse’s custody. A spouse may qualify for special additional payments based on disability status. If the spouse is a patient in a nursing home or if the VA determines that the spouse needs regular health care and assistance from another person, the aid and attendance allowance of $229 will be paid. For less severe disability, if the spouse is substantially confined to the residence, the VA will pay the housebound allowance of $110.
Children’s Payments — Normally, payments for minor children (under age 18) will be included with a surviving spouse’s payment. In 2000, the rate of payment for each minor child is $229 per month. Payments are made for older children under certain circumstances. Children between the ages of 18 and 23 are eligible for payments if they remain unmarried and are attending an educational program approved by the VA. Such programs can include secondary school, college level programs and trade, technical or business training programs. Payments also may be made for unmarried children over age 18 who became helpless, as determined by the VA, prior to age 18 as a result of physical or mental disability. When no spouse is entitled to receive payments, children will still be paid provided they remain unmarried and meet general requirements for age, school attendance, or helplessness.
Social Security Eligibility — Eligibility for DIC does not affect eligibility for Social Security, and eligibility for Social Security does not affect eligibility for DIC, for either surviving spouses or children. Survivors may be eligible for Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) payments if they are eligible for DIC and the veteran’s death occurred in service prior to August 13, 1981, or resulted from disability related to military service and acquired before August 13, 1981. Eligible spouses may be paid REPS benefits only when Social Security eligibility ceases because the youngest child has reached age 16, and the spouse has a child between the ages of 16 and 18. Children over 18 may receive REPS payments to age 22 if they are unmarried and attending a post-secondary educational program which meets certain requirements, including full-time attendance.
Parents’ Payments — Parents of deceased veterans may be paid DIC provided they meet certain income tests. The rate of payment will depend on whether both parents survive and whether a surviving parent is currently married. The income limit for two parents together is $14,228; the limit for one parent or two parents not together is $10,584. courtesy Military.com : http://www.military.com/NewContent?file=Deployment_Family_Worst | | |
