Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to the surviving spouse (and in some cases, children or parents) of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition. In 2026, the base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36/month. This benefit is separate from any VA disability compensation the veteran may have received during their lifetime — and many surviving spouses who qualify have never filed for it.
Who qualifies for DIC
A surviving spouse qualifies for DIC if: (1) the veteran died from a service-connected condition; or (2) the veteran was continuously rated totally disabled (100% or TDIU) for at least 10 years before death; or (3) the veteran was continuously rated totally disabled for at least 5 years immediately following their separation from service. The “10-year rule” and “5-year rule” are the pathways many surviving spouses don’t know about — if your veteran had a 100% or TDIU rating for a decade and then died from any cause, you may qualify for DIC regardless of what caused the death.
The 2026 DIC rate
The base rate is $1,699.36/month in 2026, reflecting the 2.8% COLA increase. Additional amounts may apply: $344/month is added if the veteran was rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years before death and the spouse was the veteran’s spouse for the same period; transitional benefit of $342/month for the first two years if there are dependent children; and additional amounts for each dependent child under 18 who is in the surviving spouse’s custody.
DIC and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) offset
Historically, surviving spouses who received both DIC and military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments had their SBP reduced dollar-for-dollar by DIC. The SBP-DIC Offset Elimination was phased in fully by 2023, meaning surviving spouses can now receive both benefits without reduction. This change restored significant monthly income for many surviving spouses who had been losing SBP payments for years. If you were receiving reduced SBP due to the offset, confirm your payments have been corrected.
How to apply for DIC
File VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits. You’ll need the veteran’s service records, death certificate, and marriage certificate. If the death was not certified as service-connected but you believe it should have been — or if the veteran had a long-term total disability rating — the application and supporting documentation should address that connection. A VA-accredited claims agent or VSO can help you build the strongest possible DIC claim.