When is a spouse eligible for DIC if the veteran dies of a service-connected disability and the spouse was six months pregnant at the time of death?

The correct answer reflects that the spouse is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits when the child is born. This eligibility is rooted in the understanding that the DIC benefit is linked not only to the veteran’s service-related death but also to the status of the child. In cases where a veteran dies of a service-connected disability, if the spouse is pregnant at the time of the veteran's death, the benefits are contingent upon the birth of the child.

This provision recognizes the unborn child’s potential for future support where the benefit serves both the spouse and the child together. Eligibility for DIC cannot be fully established until the child is born because the benefits often apply to dependents. Until the child is born, the DIC cannot be processed as the unborn child cannot yet be recognized as a dependent for purposes of the benefits.

Understanding when eligibility for benefits activates is crucial for both the spouse and the caregivers involved. In situations concerning pregnancy, it's pivotal to establish the timeline that revolves around the birth event. Other options do not align with the specific eligibility guidelines set forth in U.S. veterans' law, which prioritize the existence of a living dependent child for certain benefits following a veteran’s death.