The VA considers dependents’ needs when determining a compensation payment. The VA
does not normally make a compensation payment directly to a dependent during the lifetime
of the veteran. Instead, the VA increases the amount of the veteran’s basic compensation
award if the veteran has dependents. For disability compensation, the veteran is the
beneficiary.
Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30 percent are eligible for increased
allowances for dependents. Dependents include parents, spouses, or children who are:
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under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school; or
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determined permanently incapable of self-support by the VA because of a disability
before age 18.
The increased amount depends on the veteran’s disability rating and number of dependents.
When the VA increases a disability compensation payment for dependents, it is an augmented
VA payment.
An apportioned payment is a VA disability compensation payment made directly to the
dependent of a living veteran.
For a discussion of augmented and apportioned payments, see SI 00830.314B.2.
When a veteran is deceased, the VA considers surviving dependents’ needs to determine
a survivor’s compensation payment. For surviving spouse DIC, the VA considers the
surviving spouse as the beneficiary and they consider eligible children as dependent
children. Normally, the VA does not make a compensation payment directly to a dependent
child during the lifetime of the surviving spouse. Instead, the VA increases the amount
of the surviving spouse’s basic compensation award if the surviving spouse has dependent
children.
When the VA increases a surviving spouse DIC payment for dependent children, it is
an augmented VA payment. A surviving spouse DIC payment made directly to a dependent
child of a surviving spouse is an apportioned payment.
For information on augmented and apportioned payments, see SI 00830.314.
NOTE: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) removes the augmented or apportioned portion
(if applicable) for each dependent child from the surviving spouse’s award when the
child attains age 18.
2. Surviving child Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
When a veteran is deceased, the VA may consider surviving dependents’ needs when determining
a survivor’s compensation payment. For surviving child DIC, the VA considers the surviving
child as the beneficiary and the VA does not increase benefits for dependents of the
surviving child.
When a veteran is deceased, the VA considers surviving dependents’ needs when determining
a survivor’s compensation payment. For parents’ DIC, the VA considers the surviving
parent(s) as the beneficiary and the VA does not increase benefits for dependents
of the surviving parent(s).
4. Payment frequency of VA compensation payments
The VA makes monthly compensation payments that are not needs-based. The VA pays Parents’
DIC (needs-based) payments monthly; however, when the monthly payment due is less
than $19, the VA pays quarterly, biannually, or annually.
5. Unreimbursed medical expenses
For needs-based compensation payments (Parents’ DIC), VA may deduct unreimbursed medical
expenses from any countable income. For information on unreimbursed medical expenses,
see SI 00830.312.