DIC or Accrued Benefits for Veterans’ Family Members

When a Veteran passes away, surviving family members are often left navigating a confusing VA benefits system while also dealing with loss. Two benefits commonly raised in these situations are Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and accrued benefits. While both can provide meaningful financial support, they serve different purposes and follow different rules. Our VA-accredited attorneys can explain what they are and how you can use them.

What Is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?

DIC is a monthly benefit paid to eligible surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents when a Veteran’s death is connected to military service. In most cases, this means the Veteran died from a service-connected condition or from complications related to that condition. DIC can also apply when a Veteran was rated totally disabled for a qualifying period before death, even if the death itself was not directly caused by the service-connected disability. Key points about DIC include:

• It is not needs-based; income and assets do not usually disqualify a surviving family member.
• The benefit is paid monthly and can include additional amounts for dependent children or certain circumstances.
• Eligibility depends heavily on medical evidence linking the death to service (establishing service connection remains essential).

Because the VA closely reviews the cause of death, medical records, and service history, DIC claims often require careful documentation and clear explanations tying the fatal condition to military service.

What Are Accrued Benefits for Veteran Families?

Accrued benefits are different. These benefits represent money the VA owed the Veteran at the time of death but had not yet paid. Accrued benefits are based on claims that were already pending or benefits that were due but unpaid when the Veteran passed away. Important features of accrued benefits include:

• They are typically paid as a one-time payment, not ongoing monthly compensation.
• The VA only considers evidence that was already in the file at the time of the Veteran’s death.
• Eligible recipients usually include the surviving spouse first, then children, and sometimes dependent parents.

Accrued benefits do not require proving that the Veteran’s death was service-connected; instead, the focus is on what the VA had not finished processing or paying before death.

Key Differences Families Should Understand Between DIC and Accrued Benefits

While DIC and accrued benefits can both apply in the same case, they address different needs:

• DIC looks forward to provide ongoing support when a death is tied to service.
• Accrued benefits look backward, settling what the VA already owed the Veteran.

Accrued benefits claims must generally be filed within one year of the Veteran’s death, while DIC claims can still succeed later—although earlier filing often helps with evidence and effective dates.

Surviving Family Members Can Work With the VA to Receive Accrued Benefits and DIC

For surviving family members, these benefits can help restore stability, covering daily expenses, healthcare needs, and long-term planning. However, VA rules are technical, and mistakes or missing evidence can lead to unnecessary denials or delays.

If you are a family member of a deceased Veteran, understanding whether DIC, accrued benefits, or both apply to your situation is a critical first step. Speaking with VA-accredited attorneys who focus on Veterans’ disability benefits can help ensure the claim is accurate, complete, and aligned with VA requirements.