If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). 

1. Eligibility: You may be eligible for VA benefits or compensation if you meet these requirements. 
   • One of these must be true: 
     • You lived with the Veteran or service member without a break until their death, or 
     • If you’re separated, you weren’t at fault for the separation 
       
       
   • One of these must also be true: 
     • You married the Veteran or service member within 15 years of their discharge from the period of military service during which the qualifying illness or injury started or got worse, or 
     • You were married to the Veteran or service member for at least 1 year, or 
     • You had a child with the Veteran or service member 
       
       
   • If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if one of these describes you: 
     • You remarried on or after December 16, 2003, and you were 57 years of age or older at the time you remarried, or 
     • You remarried on or after January 5, 2021, and you were 55 years of age or older at the time you remarried 
       
       
2. Common Forms Required (Others may be needed) 
   • VA Form 21P534EZ (for Surviving Spouse or Child)
   • VA Form 21P-535 (for Surviving Parent)
     
     
3. Additional Information
   • About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents