Dependents and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

There are very specific requirements as to who qualifies for DIC. For a surviving spouse, first, the spouse must be a survivor of:

• A military service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training OR
• A veteran whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease; OR
• Subject to additional requirements, a veteran whose death was from a non-service related injury or disease, and who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA service-connected disability compensation for a totally-disabling condition.

Next, the surviving spouse is eligible for benefits where the spouse:

• Married the veteran before 1957; OR
• Was married to a service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training; OR
• Married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the injury or disease that caused the veteran’s death began or was aggravated; OR
• Was married to the veteran for at least one year; OR
• Had a child with the veteran; AND
• Lived with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death (or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation and is not currently remarried).

Surviving children of qualifying service members must not be already included on the surviving spouse’s DIC, unmarried, and under age 18 (or between 18 and 23 if attending school).

Benefits may also be available for a qualifying deceased service member’s parents.

At Jackson & MacNichol, we represent veterans on DIC claims. We can help if you’re interested in a professional consultation. There is no charge for the initial discussion and evaluation of your potential claim. Call us today at (800) 524-3339 so that we can begin discussing your claim.