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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

64.110:  Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected Death

Popular Name:  DIC

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.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

64.110 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.

64.110 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication 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:  About 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.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  (Effective December 1, 1999) Monthly rates of DIC range from $373 for one child when no spouse is entitled; from $881 to $2,013 for a surviving spouse, with $222 additional if the surviving spouse is in need of aid and attendance, or $107 if housebound. A surviving spouse is also entitled to an additional $222 monthly for each child under age 18. Monthly rates for parents range from $5 to $429 depending upon income and whether single or married. An additional $230 is payable if the parent is in need of aid and attendance.

64.110 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 64.102 Compensation for Service-Connected Deaths for Veterans' Dependents;
• 64.117 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.

64.110 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

64.110 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.

Obligations:  (Direct Payments) FY 99 $3,409,631,000; FY 00 est $3,515,660,000; and FY 01 est $3,592,489,000.

Budget Account Number:  36-0153-0-1-701.

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

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  38 CFR 3.5; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-99-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00217-2.

64.110 INFO 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. Phone: (202) 273-7210.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

64.110 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  No restrictions.

64.110 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Any change in the marital status of a surviving spouse, child, or parent must be reported promptly. Also, a change in school attendance of children over 18 must be reported. Parents must report changes in income promptly. Parents are sent an eligibility verification report to review continued eligibility and changes of rates based on changes of income.

Audits:  None.

Records:  None.