Are you the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who passed away? Did you know that the VA might have to pay a monthly benefit to you - for life? Read more about Veterans Dependency Indemnity Compensation here.

1. attiglawfirm.com http://www.attiglawfirm.com/shoot/va-dependency-indemnity-compensation/
Veterans Surviving Spouses often don't know to apply for VA
Dependency Indemnity Compensation
When a Veteran passes away, the Surviving Spouse is often
unaware what benefits are available to them.
One VA compensation benefit - for which many spouses are
eligible, though few apply - is called Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation.
In 2014, the eligible surviving spouse might receive a monthly
payment of $1,233.25 (plus more depending on how many
children he/she had and how long the Veteran was disabled prior
to death). Check the VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation
Rate Table here for current rates.
VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation (also referred to as DIC) is also known as service-connection of the
Veteran's Cause of Death".
Generally speaking, it is available to surviving spouses and children of Veterans who are able to show that the
Veteran's death is connected to service.
Here are 4 posts that serve as a good general summary of the benefit:
Who is Eligible for VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation?
Read this post to learn about the 3 categories of survivors that may be eligible to receive benefits from the VA .
There are several types of DIC - here are the 2 most Common.
Learn about the difference between Traditional VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation and "Section 1318 DIC).
Filing the VA Dependency Indemnity Compensation Claim is easy - but must be done on
timely.
Find out how the time at which a survivor files can impact the amount of the benefit.
Remarriage and Dependency Indemnity Compensation.
In certain situations, remarriage of the Surviving Spouse can terminate benefits. Find out more here.
The Veterans Survivors Handbook.
Veterans Surviving Spouses often know very little about the benefits available to them. And, when a Veteran dies
suddenly, surviving spouse is often left with so much to do that he or she doesn't have time to research VA benefits.

2. My grandmother found herself in this situation.
When her husband (a WWII combat Veteran) died after returning home, she had 5 kids to
raise. There was no internet and survivors had to rely on their local VA reps - who often
told them that nothing was available.
I'm writing a book that will change all that.
The book is the Veterans' Survivors Handbook. In the book, I will discuss the full range of
benefits available to surviving spouses of deceased Veterans. This will include VA
Dependency Indemnity Compensation, Accrued Benefits, Dependents Educational
Assistance (DEA), and much, much more.
The book is not yet published, but if you would like to know when it will be published, add your email address to the
form below.
* This post was initially published on December 3, 2010, and has been updated with more current information.
Chris Attig, an Accredited Veterans Benefits attorney and Founder of the Attig Law Firm, PLLC is responsible for the
content of the site. The principal office of Attig Law Firm, PLLC, is located in Dallas, Texas. Chris Attig is NOT
Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. - Please view our website disclaimer.
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