Dic Time Frame

[john999]

If a spouse has his/her ducks in a row how long should a straight forward DIC claim take?

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

I filed for my DIC the end of October of this year and Milwaukee received it on 11/02/12. Rockman passed away on 09/02/12, but I waited until I had everything that I thought that they might need. When I called this past week, they said that it could be four months from the date they received the claim. My county VSO had asked me how I was situated money wise when he filed for the DIC. He said that it can take 4 months or so to receive anything. I figure that the longer they hold off, the greater my retro check will be. I do not know if this is the normal minimal time frame all over or not. I do know that it does take time even with everything correctly sent in. I am sure others will chime in.

Celia, Mrs. Rockman

[Philip Rogers]

I helped a friend's widow, back in May, 2011, and it took about 3-4 wks. He was TDIU, P&T, over 10 yrs. I couldn't believe the VA moved that fast! She received his VA life insurance within 2 wks.

Stay well, John!!!

pr

[meghp0405]

I filed for my DIC the end of October of this year and Milwaukee received it on 11/02/12. Rockman passed away on 09/02/12, but I waited until I had everything that I thought that they might need. When I called this past week, they said that it could be four months from the date they received the claim. My county VSO had asked me how I was situated money wise when he filed for the DIC. He said that it can take 4 months or so to receive anything. I figure that the longer they hold off, the greater my retro check will be. I do not know if this is the normal minimal time frame all over or not. I do know that it does take time even with everything correctly sent in. I am sure others will chime in.

Celia, Mrs. Rockman

I have filed DIC claims for many widows/widowers. Some claims are completed in 30 days and I have seen others take as long as 14 months.. that is submitting a DIC claim with all necessary documentation.

Edited January 6, 2013 by meghp0405 (see edit history)

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

I did get a letter from VA in Milwaukee today stating that they are still processing my application for DIC and I will be notified when when it is completed. At least I know they received it.

Mr. Rockman

[Berta]

IT is good you received that Celia.

I filed a 1151 claim in Sept 2012 and a legal issue claim in Oct 2012 and I have not received anything at all.

Yesterday I mailed my NOD, and asked them to address the October CUE claim first.

I used ebenefits 800 number the other day and they had me on hold for over an hour and I had to hang up.

I think,regardless of what evidence they have, that the VA will need to send you a VCAA letter, before they handle your claim as the VCAA letter,if properly prepared, spells out your full Duty to Assist rights.

Maybe in some cases that letter is not required to be sent...... your VSO will get a copy of it, as well as you will.

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

Yes, it eases my mind a bit knowing that I got a letter letting me know that they are at least still processing my claim. I knew I had filed a claim for my DIC, but the VCAA letter never really did enter my mind. So now if I get a VCAA letter, it will not be a surprise.

I certainly hope you do not have to wait too long for your responses!

The long wait times for ebenefits are really not much of a "benefit" to veterans or spouses keeping them on hold so long that they have to give up and hang up! There should be a better way to contact ebenefits and my emphasis is on the word "should".

I cannot stress enough to widows or widowers to make sure all "your ducks are in a row" before mailing off your DIC application and this is just why I keep including it in my postings. Whatever you think that VA will need to review, approve, and process your claim.....sent them more and leave no doubt in their minds what is going on.

I will post as soon as I hear more on my claim.

I hope 2013 is a good year for you!

Celia

[Julie2]

From start to finish, all ducks in a row, and since at that time I was drawing Unemployment, I believe they put mine through as priority, well, it took 8 months, but, it was a true blessing to recieve all the back pay, burial benefits came about a week later...Good Luck, it is very un-nerving playing the waiting game...

[john999]

Considering the length of time DIC may take I created a special account for my wife for her to draw on if I croak suddenly. There is other money should could get at but it requires legal actions. You figure your spouse has got to handle your burial, pay bills and get hold of the financial strings of your ex-life. She/he "may" be in grief so make it easy for them I say. My wife has to get survivor benefit from my civil service job, SSA and the VA which is what pays the bills right now. That all stops when I turn up my toes. My father was a vet who died suddenly. My mother had to make a big adjustment in a hurry. The VA insurance helped a lot back in the 1950's. The SSA and VA did pitch in with money. She did not get DIC, but the VA did pay something to her on a monthly basis since she had three kids and he was a disabled vet from WWII. Without SSA and VA, including insurance, we would have been destitute.

John

[Berta]

John....I am now thinking you are right! I should write a Book on survivors benefits.....

I learned recently of a survivor's bennie I neglected to even apply for......

I contacted the VA Office o Survivors to get copy of the actual reg I need (it isnt on the VA web site) for a DIC article to write and put here...........There is SO much in this forum and often it needs to be repeated ...like the right to remarry after age 57 and retain DIC and, I think, many of the other survivor bennies.