The surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a deceased veteran may be eligible to receive tax-free Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA. For each of these three categories of beneficiaries, there are specific guidelines that must be met in order to qualify for monetary benefits.
How to Qualify as a Surviving Spouse
You may be eligible to receive DIC benefits as a surviving spouse if you satisfy the following criteria:
- You either lived with the veteran without a break until his or her death, OR
- If you were separated, you were not at fault for the separation
You must also meet at least one of the following elements:
- You had a child with the veteran;
- You were married to the veteran for a minimum of one year;
- You married the veteran within 15 years of his or her discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying condition began or was exacerbated.
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Qualifying as a Surviving Child
The qualifications for a surviving child are a little more straightforward. You must satisfy all of the following elements:
- You are not married
- You are under the age of 18, or under the age of 23 if you are attending school
- You are not included in the surviving spouse’s DIC benefits
Please note that even if you were adopted out of the deceased veteran’s family, you may still qualify for DIC benefits as long as all three of the aforementioned criteria are true for you.
How Surviving Parents Can Qualify for VA DIC Benefits
You can also qualify for DIC benefits if your child is the deceased veteran. In order to qualify, you will be required to prove that:
- You are the biological, foster, or adoptive parent of the deceased veteran; and
- Your income is below a certain amount, which an experienced veteran’s lawyer can help you determine.
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How Long Do VA DIC Benefits Last?
How long DIC benefits last varies based on which category you qualified under.
If you are the surviving spouse, the benefits are permanent.
If you are the surviving child, the benefits last until you are 18, unless you are enrolled in a university, and then the benefits will last until you turn 23.
As the surviving parent, you will continue to receive benefits for as long as you qualify.
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We are Here to Help
These requirements for qualification can be complex, and that is one reason we highly recommend that you consult with an experienced veteran’s claim attorney to discuss your eligibility and the proper steps to take to get the full benefits you deserve.
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we fully understand how sad and traumatic it can be to lose a loved one due to their service for this country. You and your family are already experiencing so much grief from the loss, and our attorneys are ready to do the heavy lifting to help you receive the financial compensation that you are rightfully owed.
If you have questions about eligibility for VA DIC benefits, call us to book a zero-cost consultation.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
