For families of America’s veterans, support doesn’t end with the service member.
Indeed, monthly VA survivor benefits often play a significant role in providing surviving spouses and dependents with much-needed resources to pay such bills as car payments, groceries, doctors, and long-term care.
Which is why the $3,498 a month VA Spouse’s Benefit (the amount to be determined when both spouses are alive) is law and has been a life-line — literally — to those left behind.
So what is contained in this benefit, who qualifies and how exactly does it help thousands of spouses breathe easier all over the country?
So, what exactly is the VA Spouse Benefit?
The VA Spouse Benefit, otherwise known as the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to the spouse (and, in some cases, children) of a veteran who died while on active duty or who died as a result of a service-connected condition.
From July 2025, the monthly DIC benefit is increased to $3,498 for surviving spouses who qualify. It is in response to an overall COLA that is coupled with inflation and revised federal support guidelines.
This increase may appear small at first glance, but for many widows and widowers, it’s the difference between living in dire straits and living with some sense of dignity and stability.
Who Qualifies for the $3,498 Payment?
Not every spouse of a veteran is automatically eligible. You have to meet certain requirements that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outlines. The spouse typically must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for OCR benefits:
✅ Must have been the spouse of the veteran at the time of death
✅ The veteran’s death must have been caused by a service-connected disability, or
✅Have been rated totally disabled for 10 or more years as of the time of death.
✅ Not have remarried before age 57 (with some exceptions, under some laws)
Additionally, the spouses of veterans who died as a result of military service, including in combat zones or on active duty, are typically eligible if they do not meet the 10-year disability requirement.
Breakdown of the Benefit — $3,498
Here’s what generally comes out of the monthly total:
Component Amount
Base DIC Rate $1,750 – $1,900
More for VeteranRated at 100% +$300–$400
Additional Benefits (Dependents, Etc.) +$600–$800
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (July 2025) +$300–$450
And the elements of all of these can change, depending on how many are in your family, where you live and what’s covered medically.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the VA Spouse Benefit
Pros Cons
Stable financial support with tax-free monthly income Eligibility proof and documents are needed
Annually adjusted for inflation Not all surviving spouses may be eligible, depending on the remarriage, or when it occurred
Can add-ons for dependents and housebound status Processing glitches may delay payments
Honors sacrifices veteran families make Unknown or poorly understood by the public
What Can the Payment Be Spent On?
There are no limitations on the use of the DIC payment, which provides recipients with some flexibility. Surviving spouses use it to:
What to do with rent or mortgage?
Other health care, out of pocket cost of health care
Manage utility bills and cost of food
Support children or grandchildren who rely on you.
Start saving for emergencies down the road
It’s not windfall — but it is a safety net, especially when Social Security or other savings fall short.
VA $3,498 Monthly Spouse Benefit July 2025
The VA $3,498 Monthly Spouse Benefit is more than a figure – for so many, it serves as a well-deserved acknowledgment of the sacrifices that have neither a beginning nor an end years after a veteran’s last day of service.
It doesn’t so much celebrate the happy life as it honors the silent strength of the wives who have supported the husbands through time at war, illness, loss.
For those already feeling the pinch, and who will benefit from the July 2025 increase, thousands of families will have a little more breathing room, and perhaps, a little more peace of mind. It won’t prevent everything, but it’s a start on broad-based financial security for those who most deserve it.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, now is the time to contact your local VA department or a veterans support organization to begin the process.
