Survivor Benefits

DOD Compensation & Benefits Handbook (for wounded, ill or injured service members and their families)

 

The 2011 DoD Compensation and Benefits Handbook is a quick reference guide for wounded, ill and injured Service members and their loved ones during rehabilitation to reintegration. This Handbook was designed to answer questions in the order in which they are most likely to arise, including chapters on:

  • Recovery resources
  • Medical care
  • DoD pay and allowances
  • Disability Evaluation System
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Reintegration into civilian life

Many of the answers to specific questions will depend on the Service member’s personal circumstances. Service members should take advantage of the assistance of their Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC), Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocate, Navy Safe Harbor Non-Medical Care Manager (NMCM) or Federal Recovery Coordinator (FRC) to help find the answers to questions or contact the appropriate experts.

Photo credit Chris Benson. A young black man sitting on a bench embracing a young child

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for Surviving Spouses and Children

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit paid by the VA to eligible survivors of the following:
A photo of several young people working on documents across a table

Federal Jobs for Spouses of Certain Disabled or Deceased Veterans

A new rule that gives veterans and qualifying spouses an edge when it comes to getting a federal job - and keeping that job in the face of job cuts.
A pink piggy bank on a white table surrounded by U.S. coins.

Don't Leave Money on the Table

Find out about financial support programs you may qualify to receive.

Surviving Parents Benefits (DIC)

Parents whose child died in-service or from a service-related injury or disease, may be entitled as dependents on the veterans compensation award or to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which is a monthly cash assistance benefit.  Basic information about the program is provided on this VA&nbsp

What happens to my benefits after my death?

Hi Jim,

Happy New Year!  I am rated 80% SC Unemployable Total & Permanent.

I have been married for 5 years.  I would like to know what the spousal benefits are, should I pass away.  I appreciate your help in advance!  Great job you do and you are a great guy!

 

Reply:

 

Thanks for your kind words.

The benefits that would apply are called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Whether your spouse would be eligible for any benefit will be determined by the cause of your death and/or the length of time that you've been rated as 100% P & T.

If a veteran dies of any service connected condition, the surviving spouse is usually eligible for DIC.

 

Click: https://www.vawatchdog.org/dic---survivor-benefits.html

Click: http://statesidelegal.org/dependency-and-indemnity-compensation-dic

 

If a veteran dies of any cause that isn't rated as service connected (in an auto accident, for example) then the surviving dependent spouse may or may not be eligible.

To be eligible in that circumstance requires that the veteran be rated as 100% P & T disabled for an uninterrupted period of 10 or more years. Thus, if you die in an auto accident today and your P & T rating hasn't been in place for 10 years, she's probably not eligible for any benefits.

Also see https://www.vawatchdog.org/permanent-and-total---p---t-.html

VA Survivor Benefits

Basic information about various federal government benefits available for surviving spouses and eligible dependents of individuals who served in the military.

It is divided into two sections:  those benefits available when the service member dies during active military service; and those benefits available when a veteran dies after military service is completed.