What Surviving Spouses Need to Know About VA Benefits

Surviving spouses can receive monthly payments from the VA if their spouse died on active duty or from a service-connected condition

The VA offers two main payments to surviving spouses: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments. DIC is a monthly stipend based on the rank of the deceased service member. SBP is a continuation of retirement pay that the service member elected during their military career. You may be may have access to to one, both, or neither depending on when your spouse died, their military status at death, and what they chose during service.

The application process differs slightly for each program, and the VA does not automatically enroll you when a service member dies. You must contact the VA directly to start the process. Most surviving spouses complete their first application within weeks, though the VA can take two to four months to process and issue the first payment.

Key Takeaways

• DIC pays a monthly amount based on your deceased spouse's military rank, and you do not need to have been married for any minimum length of time.
• SBP is only available if your spouse was a retired service member who chose to enroll in the program before they died.
• You can receive both DIC and SBP at the same time, though the VA will coordinate the payments so you do not receive duplicate benefits for the same period.
• The VA will not contact you automatically — you must call 1-800-827-1000 or visit VA.gov to begin the process.
• You will need your spouse's discharge papers, your marriage certificate, and proof of their death to complete the application.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses

DIC is a monthly payment made to the surviving spouse of a service member who died on active duty or from a condition the VA rated as service-connected. The payment amount depends on the rank your spouse held at the time of death, not on your income or how long you were married. As of 2024, the monthly amount ranges from roughly $1,600 to $3,500 for a surviving spouse alone, with higher amounts if you have dependent children.

To receive DIC, your spouse must have either died while on active duty, or the VA must have already rated their condition as service-connected before death. If your spouse died from a condition that was never rated by the VA, you can still file a claim — the VA will review whether the condition was service-connected. This process can take several months.

You remain may be able to access for DIC for the rest of your life, even if you remarry after age 57. If you remarry before age 57, your DIC payments stop, though you may be able to restart them if that marriage ends.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments

SBP is available only if your spouse was a retired military member (not just a veteran) and chose to enroll in SBP before they died. Retirement means your spouse had completed at least 20 years of active duty service and was receiving monthly retirement pay from the Department of Defense.

If your spouse was enrolled in SBP, you will receive a portion of their retirement pay for the rest of your life. The exact amount depends on the rank they retired at and the coverage level they selected. Your spouse would have made this choice when they first retired, so you can find this information in their retirement paperwork or by contacting the military branch that retired them directly.

SBP and DIC can both be paid to you in the same month. The VA coordinates these payments so that you receive the full amount you are may have access to to under each program without one reducing the other.

How to start the application process

Contact the VA by phone at 1-800-827-1000 (available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time) or visit VA.gov to request an application. You can also apply in person at a VA regional office. Have your spouse's discharge papers (DD Form 214) and your marriage certificate ready when you call.

The VA will send you the application form by mail or email. For DIC, you will file VA Form 21-534. For SBP, contact the military branch that retired your spouse — the Department of Defense handles SBP, not the VA. If you are unsure which branch, the VA can help you find the right contact.

Return the completed form along with copies of your marriage certificate, your spouse's discharge papers, and a death certificate. The VA prefers certified copies but will accept photocopies. Processing typically takes 60 to 120 days from the date the VA receives your complete application.

What happens if your spouse died before being rated for service connection

If your spouse died from a condition that was never submitted to the VA for a service-connected rating, you can still file a DIC claim. The VA will review medical records and other evidence to determine whether the condition was caused by or made worse by military service.

Gather any medical records your spouse had during or after service, discharge paperwork, and a statement describing how the condition developed and how it affected your spouse. The VA calls this a "survivor claim," and it follows the same rating process as a regular service-connection claim — it simply happens after death.

These claims often take longer to process because the VA must obtain and review medical evidence without the service member present. Budget four to six months for a decision, though some claims take longer if additional records are needed.

Remarriage, age limits, and when payments stop

DIC continues for life regardless of remarriage if you remarry after age 57. If you remarry before age 57, your DIC payments stop immediately. If that later marriage ends by death or divorce, you can request that the VA restart your DIC payments, and they will resume the first day of the month after your marriage ends.

SBP also stops if you remarry before age 55, though the rules vary slightly by military branch and the specific SBP option your spouse selected. Contact the military branch that retired your spouse to understand how remarriage affects your SBP payments specifically.

Both payments stop if you die. If you have dependent children, they may be may have access to to their own VA or SBP payments — contact the VA to learn whether your children can continue to receive benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to wait a certain amount of time after my spouse's death to apply?

No. You can apply immediately. The VA will backdate your first payment to the first day of the month after your spouse's death, so applying sooner rather than later means you receive back payments more quickly. There is no deadline, but the sooner you submit your application, the sooner payments begin.

What if my spouse was dishonorably discharged?

A dishonorable discharge typically disqualifies a service member from VA benefits, which means you would not be may have access to to DIC. However, other discharge statuses — including bad conduct discharge — may still allow you to receive benefits. Contact the VA with your spouse's discharge papers to learn your specific situation.

Can I receive both DIC and my own military retirement pay?

Yes. If you are a veteran yourself and receiving your own military retirement pay, you can also receive DIC as a surviving spouse. The two payments do not reduce each other. However, if you are receiving your own VA disability compensation, the VA will coordinate DIC with that payment to prevent duplication.

How do I learn about my spouse was enrolled in SBP?

Check your spouse's retirement paperwork — the SBP election should be listed on their retirement documents. You can also contact the military branch that retired them: the Army Human Resources Command, Navy Personnel Command, Air Force Personnel Center, or Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Have your spouse's service number or Social Security number ready.

What if the VA denies my DIC claim?

You can request a review of the decision. The VA will send you a letter explaining why the claim was denied and how to appeal. You have one year from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal. You can represent yourself or work with a Veterans Service Officer, who offers this service at no cost.