FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, 1318.

OBJECTIVES:

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:   Monthly rates of DIC range from $462 for one child when no spouse is entitled; from $1,091 to $2,328 for a surviving spouse, with $271 additional if the surviving spouse is in need of aid and attendance, or $128 if housebound. A surviving spouse is also entitled to an additional $271 monthly for each child under age 18. Monthly rates for parents range from $5 to $537 depending upon income and whether single or married. An additional $291 is payable if the parent is in need of aid and attendance. Monthly Death Compensation ranges from $87 for a surviving spouse to $121 for a widow or widower with one child; plus $29 for each additional child. An additional allowance or $79 if widow, widower or dependent parent is in need of aid and attendance. Assistance for a dependent parent is $75 for one alone and $80 for two.

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) 461-9700.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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