For Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), what is required of a surviving spouse?

The requirement for a surviving spouse to qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) primarily focuses on the legal recognition of their marital relationship with the Veteran and the duration of that marriage. Specifically, a surviving spouse must be recognized as the legal widow or widower of the Veteran, and the marriage must have lasted at least one year prior to the Veteran's death. This legal recognition is crucial for DIC eligibility, as it establishes the legitimacy of the relationship and the surviving spouse's status in relation to the Veteran.

In contrast, while other factors such as duration of the marriage may play a role in various benefits, the specific criteria for DIC does not impose a minimum duration of five years; instead, a one-year marriage is sufficient to fulfill the requirement. Additionally, living arrangements prior to the Veteran's death or age restrictions do not directly impact the eligibility for DIC in the way that legal marital status does. Therefore, the emphasis is on the marriage's legal recognition and duration leading up to the Veteran's death.