Last year Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced S. 1990, the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2017, which would:
- Correct the disparity between Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rates for veterans’ survivors and the rates provided to federal civilian employees’ survivors, by increasing the base rate equal to 55 percent of the rate of compensation paid to a totally disabled veteran.
- Replace, with a graduated scale, the current rule that states certain survivors are only eligible for DIC when the veteran’s service-connected disability had been rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately before death. This bill would change that rule so that if a veteran is rated as totally disabled for five years and dies, a survivor would be eligible for 50 percent of the total DIC benefits increasing until the 10-year threshold and the maximum DIC amount is awarded.
- Make the DIC program consistent with other federal survivor benefit programs by reducing the age allowed for a surviving spouse to remarry and maintain their benefits from 57 to 55.
If enacted, this bill would fulfill one of DAV’s legislative goals in accordance with Resolution No. 036, approved by our members during our most recent National Convention.
As the end of the 115th Congress rapidly approaches, we urge you to take part in this final push to pass this legislation using the prepared e-mail to request that your Senators support S. 1990, the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2017.
Thank you for all you do for ill and injured veterans, their families and survivors.