VA Survivor Benefits 2026: DIC, Survivors Pension, and Burial Allowances

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): 2026 Rates

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected condition or in active duty. It is not means-tested — the survivor's income and assets do not affect eligibility or amount.

| Content2026 Monthly AmountContentEligibility Condition** | | --- | --- | --- | | Base rate — surviving spouse | $1,699.36 | Veteran died from service-connected condition (post-1992 deaths). Tax-free for life. | | 8-year provision add-on | +$360.85 | Veteran held a 100% disability rating (or TDIU) for at least 8 continuous years immediately before death AND surviving spouse was married to veteran during those same 8 years | | Per child under 18 add-on | +$421.00 per child | Each dependent child of the veteran under age 18 in the surviving spouse's household | | Transitional benefit (first 2 years) | +$359.80 | Surviving spouse with one or more children under 18; this add-on applies only for the first 2 years after the veteran's death | | Aid and Attendance (A&A) | +$421.00 | Surviving spouse requires the regular aid and attendance of another person due to mental or physical incapacity | | Housebound allowance | +$201.37 | Surviving spouse is substantially confined to their home due to a permanent disability | | Adult child in school (18–23) | $356.66/month separately | Payable to eligible child age 18–23 attending an accredited school; paid directly to child, not to surviving spouse | | Helpless adult child | $717.50/month separately | Adult child permanently unable to support themselves due to disability before age 18 |

2026 Example: Maximum DIC Calculation

Surviving spouse + 2 children under 18 + 8-year provision + Aid and Attendance, within first 2 years of veteran's death: $1,699.36 (base) + $421.00 (child 1) + $421.00 (child 2) + $360.85 (8-year) + $421.00 (A&A) + $359.80 (transitional) = $3,683.01/month, tax-free. After the 2-year transitional period ends: $3,323.21/month.

DIC Eligibility: Service Connection and the PACT Act

Who Qualifies for DIC

A surviving spouse is eligible for DIC if the veteran died from:

• A service-connected injury or illness — one that the VA has already rated as service-connected
• Active duty or in the line of duty (including active duty for training)
• A VA-rated totally disabling condition that was present for at least 10 years before death — even if the actual cause of death was not directly service-connected

PACT Act Expansion (August 2022) — Significant New DIC Eligibility

The PACT Act (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) significantly expanded which conditions are presumed service-connected.

Added presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to toxic substances — including burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and more.

Many families who previously had DIC claims denied because the VA did not find a service connection should reapply under PACT Act expanded presumptives.

If you believe the veteran's death was related to military service but a prior DIC claim was denied, contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 to ask about PACT Act eligibility specifically.

The VA is proactively reviewing some previously denied claims — but survivors do not need to wait; they can file a new claim.

Marriage Requirements

To receive DIC as a surviving spouse, you must have been married to the veteran. Specifically: married for at least one year before the veteran's death (or lived with the veteran continuously before their death), OR married the veteran within 15 years of their separation from military service for the period during which the qualifying injury/illness began. A surviving spouse who remarried before January 5, 2021 must have been under 57 at the time of remarriage.

VA Survivors Pension: For Low-Income Survivors of Wartime Veterans

The VA Survivors Pension (sometimes called Death Pension) is a needs-based monthly benefit for surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased wartime veterans with limited income and assets. Unlike DIC, the veteran's death does not need to be service-connected.

| ContentDetails** | | --- | --- | | Veteran's war service | Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam Era, Gulf War, etc.) | | Discharge | Veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable | | Income limits | Survivor's countable income must be below the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). The VA pays the difference between the MAPR and your countable income. Certain medical expenses can be deducted from income. | | Asset limits / Net Worth | Net worth must be below $155,356 (2025 threshold, adjusted annually). The VA counts most assets except your primary residence, car, and personal effects. | | Enhanced benefits (A&A/Housebound) | If the survivor requires Aid and Attendance or is Housebound, higher pension rates apply — significantly increasing the monthly amount available. |

DIC vs. Survivors Pension — You Cannot Receive Both

If you are eligible for both DIC and the VA Survivors Pension, the VA will pay whichever amount is greater. You cannot receive both simultaneously. For most eligible survivors, DIC (which is not means-tested and starts at $1,699.36/month) will be larger than the Survivors Pension. However, if DIC eligibility does not exist (veteran's death was not service-connected and veteran did not have a 10-year total disability rating), the Survivors Pension becomes the relevant benefit to pursue.

VA Burial and Memorial Benefits

| ContentAmount / What You GetContentWho QualifiesContentHow to Apply** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | VA Burial Allowance — Service-Connected Death | Up to $2,000 (2026 rate) toward burial and funeral costs | Veteran died from a service-connected disability | VA Form 21P-530EZ; must apply within 2 years of burial | | VA Burial Allowance — Non-Service-Connected Death (hospitalized at VA) | Up to $948 for burial; up to $948 for plot/interment | Veteran died while receiving VA care or had a VA pension at time of death | VA Form 21P-530EZ; 2-year deadline | | National Cemetery Burial | Free burial in a VA national cemetery including grave opening/closing, liner, marker, and perpetual care | Most veterans with honorable discharge; some surviving spouses and dependents may be buried alongside eligible veteran | National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117 | | Headstone or Grave Marker | Free Government-furnished headstone or marker for any eligible veteran's grave, including in private cemeteries | Any veteran with honorable or general discharge | VA Form 40-1330; available at va.gov | | Presidential Memorial Certificate | Signed by the President; a formal recognition of service; free | Honorably discharged veterans | VA Form 40-0247; may be requested by next of kin |

The End of the 'Widow's Tax': SBP and DIC Now Fully Compatible

For decades, surviving spouses who received both the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and VA DIC had their SBP payment reduced dollar-for-dollar by their DIC amount — effectively eliminating part of a benefit that was paid for through monthly premiums during the veteran's service. This was called the 'widow's tax' or 'SBP-DIC offset.'

As of January 1, 2023, the SBP-DIC offset has been fully eliminated. Survivors who are entitled to both SBP (administered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service — DFAS) and VA DIC now receive the full amount of each benefit independently. If you were receiving a reduced SBP due to the offset, your payments should have already been adjusted. If you believe your SBP was not fully restored, contact DFAS at 1-800-321-1080.

How to Apply for VA Survivor Benefits

1. Gather required documents: veteran's death certificate, marriage certificate, veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits).
2. If veteran died from active duty: complete VA Form 21P-534a instead; your military casualty assistance officer can help.
3. Submit electronically via AccessVA Quick Submit (fastest), by mail to your regional VA office, or in person at a VA regional office.
4. VA contact: 1-800-827-1000 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–9 PM ET). For PACT Act questions specifically, state this when calling.