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Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected Death
? died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service, OR
? died from a non
o for at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR
o since the Veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR
o for at least one year before death if the Veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016: 394,979 cases of survivors were receiving benefits. Fiscal Year 2017: 405,038 cases of survivors were receiving benefits. Fiscal Year 2018: 405,038 cases of survivors were receiving benefits.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Death Compensation is payable to an unmarried surviving spouse, unmarried children and dependent parent or parents of the deceased Veteran who died before January 1, 1957, because of a service-connected disability.
For deaths on or after January 1, 1957, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to an unmarried surviving spouse, unmarried children and dependent parent or parents of the deceased Veteran.
DIC is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of a military servicemember who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of a Veteran who:
? died from an injury or disease deemed to be related to military service, OR
? died from a non service-related injury or disease, but was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for a service-connected disability or disabilities that was rated as totally disabling:
o for at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR
o since the Veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR
o for at least one year before death if the Veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.
The surviving parent(s) must have an income below a limit established by law, 38 U.S.
Code 5312.
Effective January 2005, surviving spouses who receive DIC and have one or more children under age 18 will receive $250 a month in addition to their current rate.
Only one monthly child supplement payment is made, regardless of the number of minor children on the surviving spouse?s award.
This increased rate applies only to months 'occurring' during the two-year period beginning on the date entitlement to DIC began.
It ceases on the first month beginning after the expiration of the two-year period or the month in which all of the surviving spouse's children have attained the age of 18, or are removed from the award, whichever is earlier.
A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Surviving spouses, children and parents of deceased Veterans.
Credentials/Documentation
Death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate(s), and military discharge certificate. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. An application (VA Form 21-534, VA Form 21-534a, or VA Form 21-534EZ for surviving spouses, and or children; 21-535 for parents) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 38 U.S.C 1121-1318.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 120 days. On average from 79 to 103 days. Approximately 79 percent completed in 125 days or less.
Appeals
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or parent must be reported promptly. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC. Also, a change in school attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report changes in income promptly. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not Applicable.
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
None. Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or parent must be reported promptly. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 57 retains eligibility for DIC. Also, a change in school attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report changes in income promptly.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obigations
(Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 16 $6,589,909,000; FY 17 est $6,950,613,000; and FY 18 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Monthly rates of DIC range from $529.55 for one child when no spouse is entitled; from $1,254.19 to $2,677.67 for a surviving spouse, with $310.71 additional if the surviving spouse is in need of aid and attendance, or $145.55 if housebound. A surviving spouse is also entitled to an additional $310.71 monthly for each child under age 18. Monthly rates for parents range from $5 to $621 depending upon income and whether single or married. An additional $336 is payable if the parent is in need of aid and attendance. Monthly Death Compensation ranges from $87 for a surviving spouse to $121 for a surviving spouse with one child; plus $29 for each additional child. An additional allowance or $79 if widow, widower or dependent parent is in need of aid and attendance. Assistance for a dependent parent is $75 for one alone and $80 for two. . These rates were effective December 1, 2014 for DIC and Parents DIC.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 3.4(C) and 3.5; 'Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents,' VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9700
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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