Public Law 108-183, the Veterans Benefit Act of 2003 signed into law by President Bush on Dec. 16, allows survivors of members who died of service-connected causes to retain Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if they remarry after attaining age 57. Previously, surviving spouses lost this entitlement if they remarried at any age.  The only provision to regain the benefit was if the latter marriage ended in death or divorce.

Also, those who have already remarried (and were age 57 or older when they did so) have until Dec. 16, 2004 to apply for reinstatement of their DIC benefits.  The current entitlement is $967 a month.

The application form is VA form 21-686c which is available on the web at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/21-686c.pdf.

So far, this law has gotten has received little publicity and some Air Force Retiree News Service subscribers may be eligible for this benefit.  In addition, readers who know of individuals who may be eligible should inform them that of this new law. Those eligible should apply as soon as possible as there was no mention that payments are retroactive.

Source:
Air Force Retiree News Service
Release No. 01-14-04
Jan. 21, 2004