- Benefits
- Back to Menu
- View Benefits Finder
- View Benefits Finder
- Moving
- Military OneSource Services
- Recreation
- Relationships
- Retirement
- Assistance Programs
- Housing
- Shopping
- Legal
- Travel
- Popular Benefits
- MilTax
- Space-A Travel
- DOD MWR Libraries
- Resources
- Back to Menu
- View Resources Finder
- View Resources Finder
- MilLife Guides
- Military OneSource Network Websites
- Podcasts
- Government Websites
- Webinars
- External Websites
- Online Learning
- Mobile Apps
- Popular Resources
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
- Plan My Move
- Moving Personal Property
- DPS Login
- Other Resources
- Products
- Back to Menu
- View Products Finder
- View Products Finder
- Popular Product Types
- Book/Booklets
- Fact Sheets
- Brochures
- Flyers
- Educational Items
- Posters
- Popular Products
- Personal Property Claims Fact Sheet
- School Liaison Flyer
- Non-medical Counseling Flyer
- Creating Calm Relaxation Techniques for Kids Book
- ABCs of Safe Sleep
- Non-medical Counseling
- Back to Menu
- Non-medical Counseling
- Military OneSource Non‑medical Counseling
- Military and Family Life Counseling
- Specialty Consultations
- Back to Menu
- Specialty Consultations
- Adoption
- Building Healthy Relationships
- Education
- Elder Care
- New MilParent
- Peer-to-Peer
- Special Needs
- Transitioning Veterans
- Wounded Warrior
- Back to Menu
- Financial Counseling
- MilTax: Free Tax Services
- Language Services
- Caregiver Support Services
- Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
- Resilience Tools
- My Military OneSource App
- Chill Drills App
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator
- Relationship Resource Tool
No matter where you serve or live, free and confidential help is available.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Live Chat
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- Back to Menu
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- Phone
Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
Live ChatInternationalWebsite
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Back to Menu
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- PhoneLive ChatText
Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text “START” to 88788
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- Back to Menu
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- PhoneLive ChatWebsite
Call 877-995-5247
- Back to Menu
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Phone
Call 988
Live ChatTTYUse your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 988
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Back to Menu
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Interactive Tool
Find an advocate.
In the United States, call 911 if you are in an emergency.
For those outside the United States, call your local emergency number.
- Family Advocacy Program
- Military Community Support Programs
- Military Family Readiness Programs
- Military Funeral Honors
- Office of Special Needs
Contact Military OneSource
Information and support for service members and their families. About the Call Center.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Additional Ways to Contact Us
See All Benefits
Pay & Leave
Benefit overview
The Survivor Benefit Plan provides financial support to military spouses and/or children when a military member dies while on duty or after retirement. SBP provides eligible beneficiaries with a monthly payment known as an annuity. The recipient of an SBP annuity is referred to as the annuitant.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a monetary benefit offered by the Veterans Affairs to survivors of service members and retirees whose death results from a service-related injury or disease. Prior to 2023, spouse SBP annuitants, except for those who remarried after age 55 (or in other specific circ*mstances), could not receive full SBP and DIC payments at the same time. Their SBP payment was reduced by all or part of their DIC payment. Beginning on Feb. 1, 2023, surviving spouses receive their full SBP payment from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and their full DIC payment from the VA.
Prior to 2023, when a spouse was eligible to receive SBP and DIC, and the SBP payment was subject to the SBP-DIC Offset, the spouse also received the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance. As the SBPO-DIC no longer exists, SSIA will no longer be paid after the Jan. 3, 2023.
How this benefit helps
These benefits help families by providing monthly financial payments to survivors.
Ensure you get the benefits you deserve
Surviving spouses, children and parents may be eligible for either or both the SBP and DIC as a monthly financial benefit.
How to access this benefit
To receive SBP benefits, a beneficiary needs to contact DFAS to report the death. For retirees, beneficiaries can report the death using DFAS’ AskDFAS Report a Retiree’s Death online or call the DFAS Customer Care Center at 800-321-1080.
For the DIC benefit, you will need to fill out an application for benefits. The application you fill out will depend on your survivor status. If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, your military casualty assistance officer will help you to complete VA Form 21P-534a, “Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child – In-Service Death Only.” The officer will help you mail the form to the correct VA regional office.
If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a veteran, fill out VA Form 21P-534EZ, “Application for DIC, Survivor’s Pension and/or Accrued Benefits.” If you’re a surviving parent, fill out VA Form 21P-535, “Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s).”
You can apply for this benefit by working with an accredited representative, using the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA to upload your form online, mailing your form or visiting a VA regional office to apply in person.
Learn about military bases worldwide. Get installation overviews, check-in procedures, housing, neighborhood information, contacts for programs and services, photos and more.
Search Installation Contacts
View All Installations