Family members

The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program provides monthly benefits to surviving spouses and dependent children in recognition of the economic loss caused by a Servicemember’s death during military service, or by the death of a Veteran as a result of a service-connected disability. VA also pays these benefits to the survivors of a Veteran whose death is not service-connected, but who was rated by VA as being totally disabled due to a service-connected disability for a specified period of time immediately preceding death.

In addition to the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program for surviving spouses and dependent children, surviving dependent parents of Servicemembers or Veterans, whose deaths were service-connected, may be eligible for Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if they meet the income requirements.