2024 DIC Benefits and Rates

Updated: November 30, 2023
In this Article

    Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) rates will increase 3.2% in 2024 based on the Social Security Administration’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase.

    2024 DIC Rates

    With the increase of 3.2%, DIC rates will jump from $1,562.74 to $1,612.75 in 2024. The 2024 DIC rates will be effective as of Dec. 1, 2023.

    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 $1,612.75.

    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 MeetQualifying BenefitAdded 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 yearsEight-year provision$342.46
    You have a disability and need help with regular daily activities (like eating, bathing or dressing)Aid and attendance$399.54
    You can’t leave your house because of a disabilityHousebound allowance$187.17
    You have one or more children who are under age 18Transitional benefit, and
    DIC apportionment rate
    $342 for the first two years after the veteran’s death

    $399.54 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 GradeMonthly Payment
    E-1 to E-6$1,612.75
    E-7$1,668.49
    E-8$1,761.43
    E-9 regular$1,837.07
    E-9 special capacity, which includes:

    • Sergeant Major of the Army or Marine Corps, or

    • Senior enlisted adviser of the Navy, or

    • Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, or

    • Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

    $1,983.09
    Added amounts for E-1 to E-9
    ConditionAdded Amount

    • The Veteran had a pay grade of E-1 to E-7, and

    • The Veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabling (including for individual unemployability) for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and

    • You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years

    Add $342.46

    • The Veteran had a pay grade of E-8 or E-9, and

    • The Veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabling for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and

    • You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years

    Increase payment to $1,955.21
    The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18Add $399.54 per child

    Warrant Officer (W-1 to W-4)

    Pay GradeMonthly Payment
    W-1$1,703.03
    W-2$1,770.71
    W-3$1,822.47
    W-4$1,928.66
    Added amounts for W-1 to W-4
    ConditionAdded Amount

    • The Veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabling (including for individual unemployability) for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and

    • You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years

    Increase payment to $1,955.21
    The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18Add $399.54 per child

    Officer (0-1 to 0-10)

    Pay GradeMonthly Payment
    O-11,703.03
    O-21,761.43
    O-31,882.19
    O-4$1,995.01
    O-5$2,195.47
    O-6$2,475.55
    O-7$2,671.96
    O-8$2,934.81
    O-9$3,139.21
    O-10 regular$3,443.18
    O-10 special capacity, which includes:

    • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or

    • Chief of Staff of the Army or Air Force, or

    • Chief of Naval Operations, or

    • Commandant of the Marine Corps

    $3,695.39
    Added amounts for 0-1 to 0-3
    ConditionAdded Amount

    • The Veteran had a pay grade of O-1 to O-3, and
    • The Veteran had a VA disability rating of totally disabling (including for individual unemployability) for at least the 8 full years leading up to their death, and

    • You were married to the Veteran for those same 8 years

    Increase payment to $1,955.21
    The surviving spouse has one or more children under 18Add $399.54 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 StatusMonthly Payment
    Schoolchild:$338.49
    Helpless child:$680.94

    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 ChildrenMonthly Rate for Each ChildTotal Monthly Payment
    One$680.94$680.94
    Two$489.79$979.58
    Three$426.09 $1,238.63
    Four$380.30 $1,521.18
    Five$352.82 $1,764.09
    Six$334.50 $2,007.00
    Seven$321.42 $2,249.91
    Eight$311.60 $2,492.82
    Nine$303.97 $2,735.73

    Notes:

    • Add $242.91 for each eligible child for families of 10 or more children
    • Add $399.54 for each helpless child (a child permanently unable to support themselves due to disability)

    2024 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Pay Dates

    Effective date: Dec. 1, 2023

    First paycheck: Dec. 29, 2023

    2024 VA Disability Pay Dates

    On which dates will VA disability payments be sent/deposited in 2024?
    MonthPayment Date
    JanuaryFeb. 1
    FebruaryMarch 1
    MarchApril 1
    AprilMay 1
    MayMay 31
    JuneJuly 1
    JulyAug. 1
    AugustAug. 30
    SeptemberOct. 1
    OctoberNov. 1
    NovemberNov. 29
    DecemberDec. 31

    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.

    Written by Veteran.com Team