October 16, 1998

Congressman Bob Filner (D-50th) announced that the spouses of deceased veterans who lost their benefits from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) when they remarried may be eligible for restored Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits if they are no longer married.

Filner's bill, known as "Give Surviving Spouses of Veterans a Chance to Remarry Act" (H.R. 2004) was included in H.R. 2400, the transportation bill that was recently signed into law by the President. It repeals a 1990 law that permanently ended eligibility for DIC when a veterans' surviving spouse remarried after the death of the veteran.

"When the President signed this bill into law," said Filner, "the inequities suffered by surviving spouses of veterans ended! As of October 1, 1998, DIC benefits can be restored if the re-marriage is terminated, either by divorce or the death of the spouse.

Filner continued, "Veterans' spouses should contact the VA to toll free at 1-800-827-1000 for assistance." The basic monthly rate for DIC is currently $850. Information on DIC benefits may also be found on VA's Internet Home Page at www.va.gov.

Return to Homepage