Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA)
Additional monthly payment for surviving spouses who receive both SBP and DIC. Offsets that previously existed between the two benefits.
Who qualifies: Survivors & family members.
The Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance was created when Congress phased out the SBP-DIC offset:
Background:
• Previously, surviving spouses who received both Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) had their SBP reduced dollar-for-dollar by the DIC amount
• This "SBP-DIC offset" was eliminated effective January 1, 2023
• Surviving spouses now receive BOTH full SBP AND full DIC
SBP paid concurrently with DIC:
• As of 2023, no offset – receive both full SBP and full DIC
• Combined monthly income significantly higher than before
Example:
• SBP: $1,200/month
• DIC: $1,699.36/month
• Total: $2,899.36/month (previously only $1,699.36/month)
No application needed – DFAS automatically processes this for eligible surviving spouses.