VA Survivors Pension Calculator
Check your eligibility for VA Survivors Pension or DIC in 2026 and estimate your monthly benefit.
Survivors of veterans may qualify for two different VA benefits: DIC, which pays a flat $1,699.36/month or more with no income test but requires the veteran's death to be service-connected, or Survivors Pension, which is needs-based and available even without service-connection. Answer one question below to see which applies to you.
These two programs are often confused, but they work very differently. This tool starts by checking which one fits your situation, then walks you through the right calculation.
Find Your Applicable Benefit
You likely qualify for DIC, not Survivors Pension
DIC pays a flat monthly rate with no income test.
Estimated Monthly DIC Rate
Additional amounts may apply if you require Aid and Attendance or are Housebound yourself — verify your exact total at VA.gov.
Estimated Survivors Pension
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The exact MAPR for a surviving spouse with a dependent child who also qualifies for Aid and Attendance wasn't independently verified for this tool — contact a VSO or the VA for your precise rate.
DIC and Survivors Pension serve the same population, surviving spouses and dependents of veterans, but through very different rules. DIC is the more generous option when it applies: a flat monthly rate with no income test at all, currently $1,699.36 for a surviving spouse with no dependent children, higher with a dependent child or if the veteran was rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years before death. The catch is the service-connection requirement: the veteran's death needs to be connected to their military service, or they needed to have been rated totally disabled for a specific period, generally 10 years, before they passed. If that requirement isn't met, Survivors Pension becomes the relevant program instead. It works like a smaller-scale version of VA Pension for veterans: your Maximum Annual Pension Rate minus your countable income determines your monthly amount, starting at $11,699 a year for a surviving spouse alone and rising to $18,697 with Aid and Attendance. You can't receive both DIC and Survivors Pension at the same time, only whichever program you qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Survivors Pension and DIC?
Survivors Pension is needs-based with an income and net worth test, available even if the veteran's death wasn't service-connected. DIC pays a flat rate with no income test, but requires the veteran's death to be connected to their military service, or that they were rated totally disabled for a specified period before death.
How much is DIC in 2026?
The base monthly rate is $1,699.36 for a surviving spouse with no dependent children, with additional amounts for a dependent child or if the veteran was rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years before death.
How much is Survivors Pension in 2026?
Your Maximum Annual Pension Rate minus your countable income. For a surviving spouse alone, the MAPR is $11,699/year, rising to $18,697/year with Aid and Attendance.
Can I get both DIC and Survivors Pension?
No. You can only receive one, whichever program you qualify for and whichever pays more if you qualify for both.
Do I need to prove the veteran's death was service-connected for DIC?
Yes, generally, unless the veteran was rated totally disabled for the required period (usually 10 years) before their death, which qualifies you regardless of the actual cause of death.
Is there an income limit for DIC?
No. Unlike Survivors Pension, DIC has no income or net worth test at all.
This calculator provides a general estimate based on 2026 VA DIC and Survivors Pension rules and does not constitute a determination of eligibility. Service-connection determinations for DIC involve a formal VA review process. For an official determination, consult a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or apply directly through the VA.