DIC provides a base monthly rate to surviving spouses that is the same regardless of the veteran rating at the time of death. In addition to the base rate, several additional payments may apply. If the veteran was rated at 100 percent disability for at least eight continuous years before death and the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same eight years, an additional monthly amount is added to the DIC payment. Each dependent child of the surviving spouse also adds to the monthly payment. If the surviving spouse is entitled to aid and attendance due to their own disabilities, an additional allowance is paid. If the surviving spouse is housebound, a separate additional allowance applies. For surviving children who are not in the custody of a surviving spouse, DIC is paid directly to the child or their guardian. The rate depends on the number of eligible children and is divided equally among them. Children who are between 18 and 23 and attending an approved school receive an additional amount. DIC rates are adjusted annually based on cost-of-living increases that are typically tied to Social Security adjustments. The effective date for DIC is generally the first day of the month in which the veteran died, if the claim is filed within one year. If filed later, the effective date is the date the claim is received. Filing promptly after the veteran death is important to maximize retroactive benefits.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).