Survivor Benefits

Assistance for Immediate Family Members . . .

 

You may be able to receive Dependency or Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if you are a survivor of:

 

• A service member who died in active duty
• A veteran who died from service-related disabilities
• A veteran who was being paid 100 percent disability compensation at time of death.

 

DIC is a monthly check paid to eligible survivors of certain deceased veterans.

 

To get DIC, you must be an eligible survivor of a veteran who died because of a service-related illness or injury.

 

If the veteran's death was NOT service-related, you may still be eligible if EITHER of the following conditions existed at the time of death:

 

• The veteran was getting VA Disability Compensation for a total disability for the last 10 years. Note: This also includes veterans who would have received VA compensation but did not because they were getting military retirement or disability pay.
• The veteran was getting VA Disability Compensation for a total disability continuously since released from active duty and for at least 5 years.

 

You may be an eligible survivor if:

 

• You were married to the veteran for at least 1 year. If a child was born, there is no time requirement; AND
• Your marriage was valid; AND
• You lived with the veteran continuously until his/her death or, if you separated, you were not at fault; AND
• You did not remarry.
  
  Note: If you remarried, entitlement to DIC may be restored if the subsequent remarriage is terminated by death or divorce.

 

OR

 

• You are an unmarried child of a deceased veteran; AND
• You are under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school.

 

Note: Certain helpless adult children and some parents of deceased veterans are entitled to DIC. Call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 for the eligibility requirements for these survivors.

 

How Much Does VA Pay?

 

Please visit https://benefits.va.gov/Compensation/current_rates_dic.asp for the latest rates.

How Can I Apply?

 

It’s recommended that you contact your local Pinellas County Veterans Service Officer to obtain assistance.

 

Pinellas County Department of Veteran Services
2189 Cleveland St. Suite 263
Clearwater, Florida 33765
(727) 464-8460 Fax (727) 464-8407

OR

501 1st Ave. N. Suite 514
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
(727) 582-7828 Fax (727) 582-7813

We will be glad to help you understand these benefits and apply for programs and services.