AVVA is to be highly commended for their Survivor Benefits program(s) which several Tennessee AVVA Chapters are actively offering. It’s a program to share the information and, in many cases the appropriate forms, for a spouse to understand what benefits may be available upon their loved one’s passing.

One of those benefits is the potential of DIC (Dependent Indemnity Compensation). In today’s topsy-turvy economy, every bit of income helps when a spouse has lost her/his loved one.

Unfortunately, there are many spouses who may not even be aware of the potential of receiving DIC upon their loved one’s passing. Plus, there are many veterans who have never filed a claim in the 1st place, so expecting their spouse to know anything about potential benefits is usually futile. And, these same spouses may not have ever heard of AVVA’s Spousal Benefits program.

Last week I visited with our Sumner County VSO to discuss how Chapter 240 and Chapter 240’s AVVA (Ann was with me) Chapter in getting the word out about the potential of DIC to all veteran’s spouses, when the veteran had maybe passed some time ago. More discussion and planning to follow, but we’re not going to let any grass grow under our feet when it comes to helping educate all veteran’s spouses (whether veteran has passed or not) about the potential of DIC.

Coincidentally, approximately an hour after I left our VSO, a friend called and told me how one of their employee’s father (an in-country Vietnam Veteran) had recently passed. She asked if there would be any benefits for the spouse, and of course I first asked if he had ever filed a claim. No, he had not and never registered with VA. Upon finding out he passed from Heart Disease, a potential presumptive, I instructed her to get a copy of the marriage license, DD214 and death certificate and I made an appointment for the son/employee with our VSO. The widow is on the verge of being moved into a medium-care facility.

The current amount for DIC is $1,437.66/month. If the marriage has lasted 8+ years, the spouse gets an additional $305.28. And then, if spouse is eligible for Aid & Attendance, they could receive an additional $356.16, OR if classified as Housebound, they could receive $166.85. Spouse would not receive Aid & Attendance AND Housebound – one or the other.

I urge all Chapters to work with your AVVA, or if your Chapter is yet to form an AVVA, discuss how to best get the word out to ALL veteran’s spouses in your community(s) of the potential of spousal DIC. Certainly best to inform all before the veteran passes, and they’ve filed a claim and hopefully been approved for service-connection, however, I’m confident there are a bunch of veteran’s spouses who are missing out on DIC or other burial benefits all because either the veteran never filed a claim or they are unaware of the potential of DIC.

I’d start by educating all Funeral Homes and Hospice organizations in your area and work closely with your VSO(s). Have them contact your Chapter’s AVVA or your Chapter whenever a veteran passes. Have the Funeral Home(s)/Hospice contact your Chapter whenever a veteran passes.

I look forward to hearing and sharing any success stories your Chapter and/or your AVVA Chapter is having in getting the word out about DIC.

Thanks for all everyone is doing in support of veterans and their families,

Barry