VA Restores Benefits to Some Surviving Spouses
But there's a deadline for applications
Remarried widows and widowers of 100% service-connected disabled deceased veterans have regained a benefit they lost if they remarried after their 57th birthday.
Called Dependency Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, it is compensation paid by the Veterans Administration to the surviving spouse of a veteran who was rated by the VA as 100% service-connected disabled, or who died of a service-connected disability regardless of the rating. For the year 2004 it amounts to $967 a month, more if there are still dependent children. If the surviving spouse was married to the veteran for eight years prior to his or her death, and if the veteran was rated 100% service-connected disabled for that same length of time, the surviving spouse could draw an extra $204 per month in 2004.
Previously, VA law prohibited surviving spouses who remarried after the death of their service-connected disabled veteran spouse from receiving DIC and related housing and educational benefits during the length of the remarriage. The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 now allows surviving spouses who remarry on or after their 57th birthday to remain eligible for DIC, VA home loan guaranty and educational benefits.
The benefit is retroactive, but survivors whose benefits were previously terminated due to remarriage on or after the age of 57 must apply in writing to the VA in order to have their benefits restored. The deadline for applications is December 16, 2004, and those who apply after that date will not be entitled to restoration of benefits. Those who meet the deadline will have their benefits
restored retroactive to January 1, 2004.
The term "service-connected disabled" means the veteran suffered one or more disabilities which were caused or aggravated by his or her time in the military. The term "100% service-connected disabled" does not necessarily mean that the veteran could not work, only that the Veterans Adminstration had awarded that disability rating.
Surviving spouses who think they may be eligible for this benefit, including those who have already had partial benefits restored, should contact their local county Veterans' Service Officer.
