I'm a vet receiving disability, if I die will my wife get the payments?
I'm a 70% disabled vet that is receiving monthly checks and wondering if I die will my wife continue to receive my checks until she passes. I pay for all the bills and my wife is a stay home mom. I have been married once before while in the military for three years, my current marriage has been ten years with children and none from the first.
Expert Answer
The benefit that may apply to your wife after you pass away is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). For her to be eligible, your death must be a result of: 1. A disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or while on active duty or 2. An injury, heart attack, cardiac arrest or stroke incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or 3. A service -connecte disability or a condition directly related to a service-connected disability.
In other words, your death must be related to your service-connected disability.
Since you have been married to your wife for over a year, she is eligible for the benefit. The basic payment rate for DIC is $1,195/month. It is possible to receive additional amounts if she is housebound or needs assistance from someone else to help with activities of daily living.