2023 DIC Benefits and Rates (8.7% Increase)
Updated: December 24, 2022
Written by Veteran.com Team · Reviewed by Eldon Mullis to meet our Standards of Care
Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) rates increased 8.7% in 2023, based on the Social Security Administration’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase and the signing of the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022.
DIC rates are effective as of Dec. 1, 2022.
2023 DIC Rates
DIC rates depend on your relationship to the Veteran (spouse, child or parent), your dependents and when the veteran died.
DIC Rates for Widows of Veterans Who Died on or After Jan. 1, 1993
The base monthly rate for spouses of veterans who died on or after Jan. 1, 1993 is $1,562.74.
Surviving spouses may be eligible for additional compensation. The table below shows the added amounts available. To get your final amount, add all values that match your situation.
Added Amounts for Surviving Spouses
| Condition to Meet | Qualifying Benefit | Added Monthly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabled (including for individual unemployability) for at least eight full years leading up to their death, and you were married to the veteran for those same eight years | Eight-year provision | $331.84 |
| You have a disability and need help with regular daily activities (like eating, bathing or dressing) | Aid and attendance | $387.15 |
| You can’t leave your house because of a disability | Housebound allowance | $181.37 |
| You have one or more children who are under age 18 | Transitional benefit, and DIC apportionment rate | $332.00 for the first two years after the veteran’s death $387.15 for each eligible child |
DIC Rates for Widows of Veterans Who Died Before Jan. 1, 1993
The base DIC rates for surviving spouses of veterans who died before Jan. 1, 1993 depend on pay grade.
Enlisted (E-1 to E-9)
| Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| E-1 to E-6 | $1,562.74 |
| E-7 | $1,616.75 |
| E-8 | $1,706.81 |
| E-9 regular | $1,780.11 |
E-9 special capacity, which includes:
| $1,921.60 |
Added amounts for E-1 to E-9
| Condition | Added Amount |
|---|---|
| Add $331.84 |
| Increase payment to $1,894.58 |
| The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18 | Add $387.15 per child |
Warrant Officer (W-1 to W-4)
| Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| W-1 | $1,650.22 |
| W-2 | $1,715.80 |
| W-3 | $1,765.96 |
| W-4 | $1,868.86 |
Added amounts for W-1 to W-4
| Condition | Added Amount |
|---|---|
| Increase payment to $1,894.58 |
| The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18 | Add $387.15 per child |
Officer (0-1 to 0-10)
| Pay Grade | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| O-1 | 1,650.22 |
| O-2 | 1,706.81 |
| O-3 | 1,823.83 |
| O-4 | $1,933.15 |
| O-5 | $2,127.39 |
| O-6 | $2,398.79 |
| O-7 | $2,589.11 |
| O-8 | $2,843.81 |
| O-9 | $3,041.87 |
| O-10 regular | $3,336.41 |
O-10 special capacity, which includes:
| $3,580.80 |
Added amounts for W-1 to W-4
| Condition | Added Amount |
|---|---|
| Increase payment to $1,894.58 |
| The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18 | Add $387.15 per child |
Unmarried Adult Child of a Veteran When the Veteran’s Surviving Spouse is Also Eligible
Adult surviving children receive DIC separately from the veteran’s surviving spouse.
| Child Status | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| Schoolchild: | $327.99 |
| Helpless child: | $659.82 |
Eligible Child of a Veteran When the Veteran Doesn’t have an Eligible Surviving Spouse
Your DIC payment amount is based on the number of the veteran’s eligible surviving children. Eligible children include children who are under age 18 OR who are between ages 18 and 23 and in a qualified school program OR those who are permanently unable to support themselves due to a disability that happened before turning 18 years old.
| Number of Eligible Children | Monthly Rate for Each Child | Total Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| One | $659.83 | $659.83 |
| Two | $474.61 | $949.21 |
| Three | $412.88 | $1,238.63 |
| Four | $368.50 | $1,474.00 |
| Five | $341.87 | $1,709.38 |
| Six | $324.13 | $1,944.76 |
| Seven | $311.45 | $2,180.14 |
| Eight | $301.94 | $2,415.52 |
| Nine | $294.54 | $2,650.90 |
Notes:
- Add $235.38 for each eligible child for families of 10 or more children
- Add $387.15 for each helpless child (a child permanently unable to support themselves due to disability)
2023 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Pay Dates
Effective date: Dec. 1, 2022
First paycheck: Dec. 30, 2022
2023 VA Pay Dates
Monthly VA benefit payments including VA disability, education, compensation, pension, and survivor’s benefits| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | Feb. 1 |
| February | March 1 |
| March | Mar. 31 |
| April | May 1 |
| May | June 1 |
| June | June 30 |
| July | Aug. 1 |
| August | Sept. 1 |
| September | Sept. 29 |
| October | Nov. 1 |
| November | Dec. 1 |
| December | Dec. 29 |
What is DIC?
DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training. Survivors of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities may also receive this benefit.
Parents’ DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on a service member or veteran who died from a service-related cause.
The Survivor Benefit Plan
The Survivor Benefit Plan, sponsored and subsidized by the Department of Defense, provides up to 55% of a service member’s retired pay to an eligible beneficiary if a service member passes away.
