To
compensate surviving spouses, children and parents for the death
of any veteran who died because of a service-connected disability,
or while in the active military, naval or air service.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
No
restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: An unmarried surviving spouse,
unmarried children, and parent or parents of the deceased veteran
who died on or after January 1, 1957, because of a service-connected
disability. Survivors of veterans who died prior to January 1, 1957,
while serving on active duty may elect to receive DIC. DIC payments
may be authorized for surviving spouse and children of certain veterans
who were totally service-connected disabled at time of death and
whose deaths were not the result of their service-connected disability.
Income restrictions are applied for parents. DIC payments may also
be authorized for a surviving spouse who remarried, if that remarriage
is terminated by death, divorce, or annulment.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Surviving spouses, children and
parents of deceased veterans.
Credentials/Documentation:
Death certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate(s),
and military discharge certificate.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: An application (VA Form 21-534
for surviving spouses, and or children; 21-535 for parents) may
be obtained from any VA office or regional office (see Appendix
IV of the Catalog) and submitted to the regional office.
Award
Procedure: Awards are authorized at the regional
office.
Deadlines:
None, but entitlement is established from the first day of the
month in which the veteran's death occurred if the claim is received
within 1 year after the date of death; otherwise, entitlement
is established from the date of receipt of the claim.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately
89 percent in 180 days or less.
Appeals:
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants
are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse,
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0102-0-1-701.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $1,737,651,000; FY 02 est $2,282,978,000;
and FY 03 est $2,719,893,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
(Effective December 1, 2000) Monthly rates of DIC range from $397
for one child when no spouse is entitled; from $935 to $2,083
for a surviving spouse, with $234 additional if the surviving
spouse is in need of aid and attendance, or $112 if housebound.
A surviving spouse is also entitled to an additional $234 monthly
for each child under age 18. Monthly rates for parents range from
$5 to $457 depending upon income and whether single or married.
An additional $246 is payable if the parent is in need of aid
and attendance.
In fiscal year 2001, 306,036 cases of survivors were receiving benefits.
Estimates for subsequent periods are: fiscal year 2002, 309,812
and fiscal year 2003, 314,266.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 3.5; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet
80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O.
Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00220-2.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters
Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7203.
