Select One: DIC On or After or Before January 1, 1993
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) since January 1, 1993 has been a flat basic rate. To that rate you add extra amounts depending on the number of dependents and other entitlements. In the example below, the monthly rate for the surviving spouse increases from the basic rate of $881 to a new monthly rate of $1,516.
| Example: | Amounts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse has two
children. At the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death. AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years. |
$881 222 222 + 191 $1,516 |
Basic Rate 1st Child 2nd Child 8 Year Provision |
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) since January 1, 1993 for children without a surviving spouse is a flat rate of $222 each.
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) before January 1, 1993 is a lot more complicated than that paid before. Entitlement was based on the highest pay grade that the veteran held for six months of active duty. Rates for children varied by pay grade, if the surviving spouse was entitled, and if the child was sharing with other children.
Five rate tables exist for this benefit.
The footnotes for these rate tables are crucial. They provide the additional amounts that can be paid based on each paygrade. Two examples are shown below to demonstrate how the rates differ.
| Example 1: | Amounts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with two
children. The veteran's pay grade was E-1 At the time of the veteran's death the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death. AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years. |
$881 222 222 + 191 $1,516 |
Basic Rate 1st Child 2nd Child 8 Year Provision - see footnote f in the rate table |
| Example 2: | Amounts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with two
children. The veteran's pay grade was O-6 At the time of the veteran's death the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death. AND the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years. |
$1,349 222 + 222 $1,793 |
Basic Rate 1st Child 2nd Child No 8 Year Provision |
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) before January 1, 1993 for children without a surviving spouse is a variable rate based on the number of children receiving benefits.
| To go to the DIC (on or after January1, 1993) Rate Tables | CLICK HERE |
| To go to the DIC (before January1, 1993) Rate Tables | CLICK HERE |
| For information about our DIC Benefit | CLICK HERE |
| To return to How to Read a Rate Table Page | CLICK HERE |
| To return to Rate Tables | CLICK HERE |
| To return to Compensation & Pension Home Page | CLICK HERE |
To inquire concerning the status of your compensation, DIC, pension, burial, accrued, clothing allowance, automobile, specially adapted housing, or spina bifida claim or to ask any general Compensation & Pension (C&P) benefit question, you may call our toll-free number:
1-800-827-1000
Or, you may e-mail a VA Regional Office through the E-mail Contacts Page.