DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for certain surviving spouses, children, or parents of a service member who died in the line of duty or a Veteran whose death or qualifying total disability meets VA rules.
Qualifying surviving spouseQualifying unmarried surviving childQualifying low-income biological, adoptive, or foster parent
Entitlement facts
Benefit type
Government benefit. A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route. Taxonomy definition →
What it unlocks
A tax-free monthly compensation payment, with the amount and possible additions based on survivor type, eligible dependent children, Aid and Attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's total-disability history, and other statutory factors.
Who qualifies
Qualifying surviving spouse; Qualifying unmarried surviving child; Qualifying low-income biological, adoptive, or foster parent
Requirements
The survivor must meet the spouse, unmarried-child, or dependent-parent relationship and status rules, and the service member's or Veteran's death must meet a qualifying duty, service-connected-cause, or specified prior total-disability condition. Spouse marriage, cohabitation, separation and remarriage rules; child age, school or incapacity rules; and parent income rules differ, and evidence of service, relationship, death, and medical connection may be required.
How to activate
A surviving spouse or child of a Veteran can apply online or with VA Form 21P-534EZ; an active-duty casualty officer helps spouses and children use Form 21P-534a, and parents use Form 21P-535. Submit relationship, service, death, medical, dependency, income where relevant, and other evidence, and consider an intent to file to protect a possible effective date.
Cost basis
No-cost access. The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.
Cost and fees
There is no fee to file and approved payments are tax-free. Eligibility and amounts are individualized; remarriage, marital status, school attendance, dependency, income for parents, and other benefits can affect payment. Filing does not guarantee approval, and effective-date rules can limit retroactive benefits, so an accredited representative may help at no charge.
Geography
US, Eligible survivors of U.S. service members and Veterans
Personalization
Published eligibility is not described as individually targeted.
EVIDENCE / 1 SOURCE
Eligibility is conditional, not guaranteed.
Check the provider's final terms immediately before applying, depositing funds, spending, or changing a paid relationship.
Local federally funded community learning centers provide before-school, after-school, weekend, and summer academic enrichment, youth development, and family education, particularly for students at high-poverty and low-performing schools.
Condition
Variable by provider or eligibility
Personalized
No
002Verified
SU
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration · Government benefit
Free, confidential crisis support by call, text, or chat for people in suicidal, mental-health, or substance-use crisis and for people worried about someone else.
Condition
No-cost access
Personalized
No
003Verified
CI
City of Albuquerque Transit Department · Government benefit