United States · VA survivor benefits · Rates effective December 1, 2025
VA DIC rates 2026, spouses and children.
Surviving spouse and child rates for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, with added amounts.
A surviving spouse of a veteran who died on or after January 1, 1993 receives $1,699.36 a month in DIC under VA's table effective December 1, 2025, plus $421.00 for each child under 18 and other added amounts. The payment is tax exempt, per VA.
The short version
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly payment to a surviving spouse, child or parent when a veteran died from a service-connected cause (and in certain other cases VA lists). The basic rate for a surviving spouse of a veteran who died on or after January 1, 1993 is $1,699.36 a month, effective December 1, 2025. VA's page was last updated September 22, 2026 and still showed that table when read on November 2, 2026.
Surviving spouse: basic rate and added amounts (veteran died on or after Jan 1, 1993)
| Situation | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Basic monthly rate | $1,699.36 |
| 8-year provision (veteran rated totally disabled for the 8 full years before death, married for those same 8 years) | + $360.85 |
| Aid and Attendance | + $421.00 |
| Housebound allowance | + $197.22 |
| Each child under 18 (DIC apportionment) | + $421.00 |
| Transitional benefit, first 2 years after death, if a child under 18 | + $359.00 |
Worked example, from VA
A surviving spouse with two children under 18 who qualifies for the 8-year provision and Aid and Attendance: $1,699.36 + $421.00 + $421.00 + $360.85 + $421.00 + $359.00 transitional benefit = $3,682.21 a month for the first two years. When the transitional benefit ends the payment is $3,323.21 a month.
Children when there is no eligible surviving spouse
An eligible child is under 18, or 18 to 23 and in a VA-approved school program, or a "helpless child" who became permanently unable to support themselves before 18. The rate depends on the number of eligible children.
| Situation | Monthly rate per child | Total monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $717.50 | $717.50 |
| 2 children | $516.09 | $1,032.18 |
| 3 children | $448.97 | $1,346.92 |
| 4 children | $400.72 | $1,602.87 |
| 5 children | $371.76 | $1,858.82 |
| 6 children | $352.46 | $2,114.77 |
| 7 children | $338.67 | $2,370.72 |
| 8 children | $328.33 | $2,626.67 |
| 9 children | $320.29 | $2,882.62 |
For each additional eligible child in a family of 10 or more, add $255.95. For each helpless child over 18, add $421.00 to that child's rate.
Adult children when the spouse is also eligible
| Situation | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Child 18 to 23 in a qualified school program | $356.66 |
| Helpless child over 18 | $717.50 |
Veteran died before January 1, 1993
A different method applies: the rate is set by the veteran's pay grade. For example, an enlisted E-1 through E-6 pays $1,699.36, E-7 pays $1,758.09, E-8 pays $1,856.02 and E-9 (regular) pays $1,935.72; officer rates run from $1,794.49 at O-1 to $3,628.08 at O-10. Use VA's full table for warrant officers, special-capacity grades and the increased amounts.
DIC, Survivors Pension and SBP
- If you qualify for both DIC and Survivors Pension, VA pays whichever is larger; you cannot get both.
- You can receive a full Survivor Benefit Plan payment from DFAS and full DIC at the same time. The offset ended January 1, 2023.
Common mix-ups
- Forgetting the transitional benefit ends after two years.
- Adding the child amount twice: $421.00 is added per child under 18 on top of the spouse rate.
- Using a pre-1993 rate for a later death, or the reverse.
Frequently asked questions
How much is VA DIC in 2026?
A surviving spouse of a veteran who died on or after January 1, 1993 receives $1,699.36 a month under VA's table effective December 1, 2025.
How much does the 8-year provision add?
$360.85 a month, if the veteran was rated totally disabled for at least the 8 full years before death and you were married to the veteran for the same 8 years.
How much does DIC add for Aid and Attendance?
$421.00 a month. The Housebound allowance adds $197.22.
How much does DIC add for a child?
$421.00 a month for each child under 18, plus a $359.00 transitional benefit for the first two years after the veteran's death.
Is DIC taxable?
VA states that these survivor benefits are tax exempt.
What is DIC for a single surviving child?
$717.50 a month for one eligible child; two eligible children receive $516.09 each ($1,032.18 total).
Are 2027 DIC rates published?
Not as of November 2, 2026. VA's page still shows the table effective December 1, 2025; VA must match the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
Sources
Read directly from the primary sources below on November 2, 2026 (eCFR text current through October 29, 2026). Anything calculated by TNAADO is labeled as a calculation. VA rates change each December 1 (compensation, DIC, pension) or October 1 (education); check the linked page for the latest table.
Reference, not a VA determination or legal advice
Rates are copied from the VA pages cited in Sources. VA decides your rating, your SMC level, your dependents and your payment. This page does not tell you whether you qualify and is not legal or financial advice; an accredited representative (VSO, attorney or claims agent) can review your case.