Does the VA provide additional allowances for a veteran's dependents likea spouse, child, and/orparents?

A:

If the deceased veteran received a disability rating of at least 30 percent, VA will provide additional allowances for their eligible dependents such as, their: 

• Spouse
• Minor children
• Children that are between the ages of 18 and 23 and are attending school
• Children who became disabled before the age of 18 and cannot support themselves
• Dependent parents 

Spouses' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free benefit for the surviving spouse and dependent children. A spouse's Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) annuity is reduced by any DIC amount received.  

Note: A surviving spouse who remarries on or after December 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to receive DIC.

VA also adds a transitional benefit of $250 to the surviving spouse's monthly DIC if there are children under age 18. The amount is based on a family unit, not individual children. It is paid for two years from the date that entitlement to DIC commences, but is discontinued earlier when there is no child under age 18 or no child on the surviving spouse's DIC for any reason.

To apply for DIC:
Usually an application for DIC benefits is completed by the Casualty Assistance Officer and submitted on behalf of the survivor.    VA Form 21-534a, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child, is used for this purpose. This form needs special processing and should be mailed or faxed along with DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office and Insurance Center
P.O. Box 8079
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Fax number: (215) 381-3084

Parents' DIC is a monthly benefit amount for the decedent's parents. It is based on income. (Give me more information.)

To apply for Parents DIC:
Download and complete a PDF version of VA Form 21-535 and mail to the VA regional office that serves the area where you reside.