Surviving Military Spouse Benefits: Rates, Eligibility, and How to Apply

VA disability provides support for disabled veterans, often with additional benefits to help support dependents. But what happens to surviving spouses when veterans pass away? VA disability benefits aren’t transferable, but some surviving spouses are entitled to direct benefits after the military spouse’s death.

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits you may be entitled to as the surviving spouse of a military veteran. An experienced VA disability and survivor benefits advocate can explain in greater detail which benefits may be available to you and how you can qualify.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is the core benefit available to surviving spouses of some military veterans, as it provides a monthly monetary benefit to the spouse and add-on benefits for minor children. However, not every surviving spouse of a veteran is entitled to DIC, and benefits vary depending on a range of factors.

Who is Eligible for DIC?

A surviving spouse may be eligible for DIC benefits only if the deceased military spouse:

Died in the line of duty, or
Died of a service-connected condition, or
The deceased veteran was eligible for VA disability benefits at the 100% level for a certain period of time prior to their death

If the deceased service member or veteran met one of those three criteria, the spouse must also qualify. That means the surviving spouse must have:

Lived continuously with the deceased service member or veteran until their death, or
If separated, not been at fault for the separation

In addition, the surviving spouse must have:

Married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the term of service when the qualifying condition started or was aggravated, or
Been married for at least one year, or
Had a child with the veteran or servicemember

A surviving spouse may lose eligibility for DIC benefits if they remarry, but that depends on

DIC Benefits for Surviving Spouses

In 2026, the base monthly DIC benefit for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36. Like VA disability benefits, that amount is subject to an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). In some cases, the surviving spouse may receive add-on benefits.

DIC Add-On Benefits for Surviving Spouses
Benefit	Monthly Amount	How to Qualify
8-Year Rule	$360.85	The veteran must have been rated 100% disabled (or TDIU) for at least 8 years prior to their death AND the surviving spouse must have been married to them for the full 8 years.
Aid & Attendance	$421.00	The surviving spouse is disabled and requires assistance with basic daily activities such as bathing and dressing.
Housebound Allowance	$197.22	The surviving spouse has a disability that prevents them from leaving the house.
Transitional Benefit	$359.00 for two years	The surviving spouse has minor children in the home.
Child Apportionment	$421.00 per child	For each child under the age of 18.

As you can see, the possible add-ons can make a big difference in a surviving spouse’s monthly income. For example, a surviving spouse who meets the requirements of the 8-Year Rule and has two minor children in the house would receive:

$1,699.32 Base Benefit

$360.85 8-Year Rule
$359.00 Transitional Benefit (for two years)
$421.00 Child Apportionment for Child #1
$421.00 Child Apportionment for Child #2

=$3,261.17 Total Monthly DIC Benefit

*If the military or veteran spouse died before January 1, 1993, benefits are calculated differently.

Certain other dependents, such as dependent parents of the deceased servicemember or veteran and surviving young adult children enrolled in educational programs, may be entitled to direct benefits.

Proving Eligibility for DIC Benefits

Some elements of qualifying for DIC benefits are straightforward, such as the duration of the marriage. But some elements are trickier. For example, you may need a variety of records, including medical documentation, to establish that a veteran died due to a service-connected condition. This can be especially challenging if the veteran suffered from a mix of service-connected and non-connected medical conditions.

In 2022, the PACT Act made proving the connection easier for some surviving spouses by making hypertension a presumptively service-connected condition for those exposed to Agent Orange.

An experienced VA benefits advocate can be your best resource when gathering evidence to establish DIC eligibility.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Other Benefits for Surviving Spouses

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance

A surviving spouse may qualify for educational assistance if the service member’s spouse died in the line of duty or the veteran spouse died of a service-connected condition. The benefit available depends on the type of program the surviving spouse is enrolled in and whether they are attending full or part time.

Here’s how benefits are allocated for the period from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

Type of Program	Enrollment	Monthly Payment
College, University, Trade School or Vocational Program	Full time	$1,574
College, University, Trade School or Vocational Program	¾ time	$1,244
College, University, Trade School or Vocational Program	½ time	$912
College, University, Trade School or Vocational Program	More than ¼ time but less than half	$912 or total tuition and fees–whichever is less
College, University, Trade School or Vocational Program	¼ time	$393.50 or total tuition and fees–whichever is less
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships	Months 1-6	$999
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships	Months 7–12	$751
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships	Months 13-18	$493
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships	Months 19+	$251

A surviving spouse may also be eligible for other educational benefits, such as Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits transferred before the veteran’s death or the Fry Scholarship.

Healthcare Benefits for Surviving Spouses

Healthcare benefits for dependents and survivors can be complicated. For example, the surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a service-connected condition or who was rated permanently and totally disabled prior to their death may be eligible for healthcare through the VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA). But a surviving spouse won’t be eligible for CHAMPVA if they are eligible for TRICARE.

Get the Help You Need Today

In addition to the core benefits listed above, a surviving spouse may be eligible for one-time payments, burial allowance, zero-down VA mortgage loans, and other benefits. The best way to make sure you’re not leaving benefits on the table is to talk to an experienced VA benefits advocate before you file a claim. To learn more about how Disabled Vets can help, call us today at 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form HERE.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

FAQ’s For Surviving Military Spouses:

Do I automatically get DIC if my spouse had a 100% VA disability rating?
Not automatically. You still need to meet the marriage requirements (married within 15 years of the qualifying condition starting, married at least a year, or had a child together), and the 100% rating typically needs to have been in place for a set period before death. A veteran can be 100% disabled and die of something unrelated, which sometimes complicates a claim rather than closing it out.

If I remarry, do I lose DIC for good?
Remarriage before age 55 generally ends DIC eligibility. Remarriage at 55 or older typically doesn’t affect it. This is one area where the rules have changed over the years, so confirm your specific situation with a VA survivor benefits advocate before making a decision based on it.

Can I get both DIC and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance at the same time?
Yes, DIC and educational assistance are separate benefits and can run concurrently if you qualify for both.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form