The U.S. government recognizes that military spouses and children often face challenges and uncertainties. Hence, they established federal assistance programs specifically designed to help veterans and their eligible dependents. Such programs provide disability pay, VA loans, vocational rehabilitation, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to qualified veterans.
In 2022, approximately 89% of veterans had eligible dependents that may benefit from DIC. In this article, we’ll discuss the 2023 DIC VA rates and the eligibility requirements for qualified dependents. Read the article below to learn more.
Definition Of DIC VA Rates
Eligible dependents of deceased veterans may qualify for financial support from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is provided to the surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died due to active military duty or from their service-connected disabilities.
The amount of compensation is not fixed and is subject to yearly changes. In order to ensure beneficiaries stay up-to-date and receive their exact payments, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) keeps a list of current and past DIC rates on its website.
Overview Of DIC VA Benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a lifetime, non-taxable monetary payment given to eligible surviving dependents of deceased veterans. Surviving spouses, dependent children, and parents of Service members who passed away during their military service or from service-related injuries may qualify for DIC VA benefits.
In addition to tax-free monthly compensation, spouses may also receive additional payments ranging from $181.37 to $387.15 based on certain factors. Other benefits under DIC may also include:
- Employment and career counseling
- VA loans and home assistance programs
- Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage
- Burial benefits and memorial items
- Survivors pension
- Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
- Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements For DIC VA Rates
All applicants must be dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or from service-related injuries or illnesses.
Surviving Spouse
The surviving spouse's eligibility requirements listed by the VA include the following:
- Married to a Service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected injury, or
- Married the deceased veteran before Jan. 1, 1957, or
- Was married to the deceased veteran a year before their death, or
- Had a child with the Service member; remained with the Service member until the time of death, and was not separated from the Service member, or if separated, was not at fault for the separation.
Under most circumstances, spouses of deceased veterans who remarried do not qualify for DIC VA benefits.
Dependent Child
As a dependent child, you may qualify for DIC VA benefits if you meet the following requirements:
- You are unmarried
- You are not part of the surviving spouse’s compensation
- You are younger than 18 years old, or under the age of 23 if you are attending a VA-accredited school
Service Connected Disability
Service-connected disabilities are physical or mental conditions sustained by the veteran before, during, or after military duty.
The following criteria must be met if the veteran was eligible to receive VA disability benefits for a condition that was 100 percent disabling (TDIU), but whose death was not service-related:
- Received a total disability rating from the VA 10 years prior to death
- Had a totally disabling condition since their honorable discharge from active duty and for at least five years before passing away
- Entitled to TDIU for at least one year preceding death if the veteran died after September 30, 1999, and was a former prisoner of war.
Active Duty Or Inactive Duty Military Service Requirements
Surviving dependents of veterans who pass away while on active military duty, active-duty training, or inactive duty training are eligible to receive DIC VA benefits. However, you’ll need to provide all necessary documentation that proves this description is true for the deceased Service member. These may include:
- Military service records
- Medical documents
- Doctor’s reports
Eligibility Criteria For A Helpless Child Or Additional Child
If their parents are veterans who meet basic eligibility requirements, helpless children or children permanently incapacitated and unable to support themselves before turning 18 may also qualify for DIC VA benefits.
In addition, if you are an adopted member of the veteran’s immediate family, but satisfy all eligibility requirements, you may still receive compensation.
Compensation Amounts And Payment Rates For DIC VA Rates
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earnings and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to calculate an updated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. DIC VA rates are adjusted accordingly based on the COLA.
As of 2023 DIC rates for eligible dependents are as follows:
| Dependents | Monthly payment |
| Spouses | $1,562.74 |
| Dependent unmarried child between 18 and 23 years old | $327.99 |
| Helpless child above 18 years old | $659.83 |
| One parent | $5.04 to $774 (depending on annual income) |
| Two parents | $5.08 to $561 (depending on annual income) |
Conclusion
As the survivor of a Service member or a veteran who died while on military duty or from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for DIC benefits, like financial support, educational assistance, and health care. Review the 2023 DIC VA rates above to ensure you receive the appropriate compensation.
If you need updates on the disability compensation the VA provides, read this Disability Help article on the 2023 VA Disability Increase.
