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If you’re a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a deceased service member or Veteran, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit paid in recognition of a service-connected death.
For 2026, DIC payments increase by 2.8% under the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The increase is effective December 1, 2025 and shows up in payments made in early January 2026.
Good news: I’ve already done the math for you.
Every figure below includes the official 2.8% COLA for 2026.
For eligibility rules, forms, and VA’s base rate structure, see VA’s official pages for DIC overview, spouse/child rates, and parents’ rates.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- 2026 VA DIC pay increase & effective date: VA survivor benefits rise +2.8% COLA effective December 1, 2025 (first higher payment in early January 2026). The surviving spouse base rate (post-1992 deaths) is $1,699.36/month for 2026, tax-free.
- Add-ons for spouses (stack if eligible): 8-year provision +$360.85, Aid & Attendance +$421.00, Housebound +$197.22, each child under 18 +$421.00, and a transitional +$359.80 for the first two years if there’s at least one child under 18. Example with two children, A&A, and 8-year provision: $3,683.01/month in years 1–2, then $3,323.21/month after the transitional ends.
- Pre-1993 deaths & children’s rates: For pre-1993 deaths, use the pay-grade DIC table (e.g., E-1–E-6 = $1,699.36; E-9 special = $2,089.58) and apply the proper add-ons (**8-year provision “increase-to” = $2,060.20 for E-8/E-9, W-1–W-4, O-1–O-3; + $360.85 for E-1–E-7; +$421.00 per child under 18). When no eligible spouse, child-only monthly totals scale by family size (e.g., 1 child: $717.50; 2: $1,032.19; 3: $1,346.92), with +$255.95 for each child beyond 9 and +$421.00 for each helpless child.
- Parents’ DIC & SBP: Parents’ DIC is income-based: start with the bracket’s beginning monthly rate, add the 0.08 “$1 decrement” adjustment, and include A&A +$457.46 if eligible. The SBP–DIC offset is fully eliminated, so survivors entitled to both receive full SBP and full DIC.
What Is VA DIC and Who Qualifies?
VA DIC pays eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died in the line of duty or Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected condition.
It’s tax-free and payable as long as eligibility exists.
Start with VA’s step-by-step guide: About VA DIC.
2026 COLA Snapshot for Survivors
- COLA: +2.8% pay increase
- Effective date: December 1, 2025
- First higher payment: Early January 2026
2026 VA DIC Pay Rates (Spouses & Children)
A) Surviving Spouse Rates (Veteran died on or after January 1, 1993)
2026 basic monthly rate: $1,699.36
You may qualify for the added amounts below.
Add each that applies to your situation to the basic monthly rate to get your total.
| If this applies to you… | 2026 Added Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| 8-year provision (Veteran was rated totally disabling, including TDIU, for the 8 full years before death and you were married to the Veteran those same 8 years) | $360.85 |
| Aid & Attendance (A&A) — you need regular help with activities of daily living | $421.00 |
| Housebound allowance — you’re substantially confined to your home | $197.22 |
| Transitional benefit — first 2 years after the Veteran’s death, if you have one or more children under 18 | $359.80 |
| Each child under 18 (add per child) | $421.00 |
Example — First 2 Years After Death
Spouse with two children under 18, qualifies for the 8-year provision and A&A:
- $1,699.36 (basic) + $421.00 (child #1) + $421.00 (child #2) + $360.85 (8-year) + $421.00 (A&A) + $359.80 (transitional) = $3,683.01 per month (2026)
- After 2 years, remove the transitional $359.80: $3,323.21/month.
Want to understand how COLA affects all VA payments?
See our guide to the 2026 VA Disability Pay Chart.
B) Surviving Spouse Rates (Veteran died before January 1, 1993)
For deaths before 1993, DIC uses a pay-grade-based table, plus specific adjustments.
Below are the 2026 amounts with the 2.8% COLA applied.
Enlisted (E-1 to E-9)
| Pay Grade | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|
| E-1 to E-6 | $1,699.36 |
| E-7 | $1,758.09 |
| E-8 | $1,856.02 |
| E-9 (regular) | $1,935.72 |
| E-9 (special capacity) | $2,089.58 |
Warrant Officers (W-1 to W-4)
| Pay Grade | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|
| W-1 | $1,794.49 |
| W-2 | $1,865.80 |
| W-3 | $1,920.33 |
| W-4 | $2,032.23 |
Officers (O-1 to O-10)
| Pay Grade | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|
| O-1 | $1,794.49 |
| O-2 | $1,856.02 |
| O-3 | $1,983.26 |
| O-4 | $2,102.15 |
| O-5 | $2,313.37 |
| O-6 | $2,608.49 |
| O-7 | $2,815.03 |
| O-8 | $3,092.41 |
| O-9 | $3,307.79 |
| O-10 (regular) | $3,628.08 |
| O-10 (special capacity) | $3,893.83 |
Added or Increased Amounts (pre-1993 deaths) — 2026
| Rule | 2026 Adjustment |
|---|---|
| 8-year provision (E-1 to E-7) | + $360.85 |
| 8-year provision (E-8 or E-9) | Increase total to $2,060.20 |
| 8-year provision (W-1 to W-4; O-1 to O-3) | Increase total to $2,060.20 |
| Each child under 18 | + $421.00 |
Examples (pre-1993)
E-3 spouse with two children under 18 and the 8-year provision:
- $1,699.36 + $360.85 + $421.00 + $421.00 = $2,902.21/month (2026)
E-9 spouse with two children under 18 and the 8-year provision:
- $2,060.20 + $421.00 + $421.00 = $2,902.20/month (2026)
C) DIC if You’re the Surviving Child
Child Paid Separately When There Is an Eligible Surviving Spouse
| Child Status | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|
| Age 18–23 in an approved school program | $356.66 |
| Helpless child (over 18, permanently incapable of self-support before 18) | $717.50 |
No Eligible Surviving Spouse (Child-Only Rates)
| Number of Eligible Children | 2026 Monthly Per Child | 2026 Total Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $717.50 | $717.50 |
| 2 | $517.10 | $1,032.19 |
| 3 | $448.97 | $1,346.92 |
| 4 | $400.71 | $1,602.87 |
| 5 | $371.77 | $1,858.82 |
| 6 | $352.46 | $2,114.77 |
| 7 | $338.67 | $2,370.72 |
| 8 | $328.34 | $2,626.67 |
| 9 | $320.29 | $2,882.63 |
Added amounts (child-only cases): For each additional 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.
2026 VA DIC Pay Rates for Parents of Veterans (Income-Based)
Parents’ DIC uses income brackets with a beginning monthly rate and a “$1 decrement” (0.08) reduction as income rises within the bracket.
Each year the beginning rates and income limits are adjusted by COLA.
The Aid & Attendance add-on for eligible parents is $457.46 in 2026.
Use VA’s official Parents’ DIC tables here: Parents’ DIC Rates.
How to Do the Parents’ DIC Math (Quick Guide)
- Find your beginning rate: Use the table that matches your situation (only surviving parent vs. both alive; living with spouse or not; living with the other parent or not). Choose the income limit closest to your rounded-up annual income; that middle-column value is your beginning monthly rate.
- Compute the decrement: Subtract the income limit closest to your rounded-down income from your actual income, then multiply by 0.08.
- Add them together: Beginning rate + decrement = your monthly payment.
- Add A&A if eligible: + $457.46.
- Payment frequency: VA pays monthly/quarterly/semi-annually/annually based on your total annualized amount (see VA table for thresholds).
Example (Parents’ DIC, 2026)
Only surviving parent, living with spouse, annual income $7,153: pick the “$7,000 or more” bracket; use the $7,200 limit for the beginning rate (rounded up).
- Compute the difference from the $7,100 limit (rounded down): $53 × 0.08 = $4.24.
- Add to the beginning rate.
- If A&A eligible, add $457.46.
How to Calculate Your 2026 DIC (Step-by-Step)
- Pick your category: spouse (post-1992 vs. pre-1993 death), child (with or without an eligible spouse present), or parent (income-based). See VA’s rules: About DIC.
- Start with the base rate from the 2026 table above.
- Add applicable increases: 8-year provision, A&A, Housebound, Transitional (first 2 years with a child), and/or per-child amounts.
- Parents’ DIC: apply the income table + 0.08 decrement; add A&A if eligible.
- Confirm timing: 2.8% COLA applies 12/1/2025; you’ll see the higher amount in your early January 2026 deposit.
SBP and DIC: Can You Receive Both?
Yes.
The SBP-DIC offset has been fully eliminated.
Eligible survivors can receive a full Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payment and a full DIC payment at the same time.
Questions about SBP are handled by DFAS.
For DIC eligibility and how to apply, start here: VA DIC Overview.
Apply for DIC (Forms & Help)
- Spouses/children of service members who died on active duty: VA Form 21P-534a (your casualty assistance officer can help).
- Spouses/children of Veterans: VA Form 21P-534EZ.
- Parents: VA Form 21P-535.
Claim details and upload options: VA DIC — How to Apply.
Pro Tips
- Document the 8-year provision: You must show the Veteran held a total VA rating (including TDIU) for 8 full years before death and that you were married during those same 8 years.
- Don’t miss children’s add-ons: Add $421.00 per child under 18 in 2026; if within two years of the Veteran’s death and you have a child under 18, include the $359.80 transitional benefit.
- Pre-1993 deaths: Use the pay-grade table and apply the correct increase-to $2,060.20 (where applicable) before adding children.
- Parents’ DIC math: Work the income grid carefully; add $457.46 for A&A if eligible.
More Helpful Guides
- 2026 VA Disability Pay Chart (All Ratings) — full compensation tables and payment schedule.
- The 25 Easiest VA Claims to Win — evidence shortcuts and strategy basics.
- VA DIC Rates for Spouses & Children — official VA tables.
- VA DIC Rates for Parents — official VA tables.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
You’ve carried enough.
If you’re a survivor, DIC is an earned benefit—tax-free and adjusted annually to help preserve buying power.
Use the 2026 tables above, stack the add-ons you qualify for, and don’t leave money on the table.
If you need a hand, consider working with an accredited representative or a trusted claims coach.
For the latest official rates, always verify with VA: VA DIC Overview.
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
