The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 restored entitlement to DIC for surviving spouses who remarried on or after their 57th birthday. Under previous law, these spouses were not eligible for DIC benefits unless their subsequent marriage ended.
The U.S. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs generally pays a basic monthly DIC benefit of $967 to the surviving spouses of service members who die while on active duty and to spouses of veterans who died of service-related causes.
Under the new law, surviving spouses who remarried after age 57 and before Dec. 16, 2003, have one year from the date the new law took effect to apply for restoration of DIC benefits. Applications received after Dec. 15 will not be considered.
New Jersey residents who have questions or need additional information should call the N.J. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at (800) 624-0508 or visit the Web site www.state.nj.us/military.