VA Dependents: Who Qualifies, How to Add Them, and Benefits Available
Veterans who were discharged under other than Dishonorable conditions and rated at least 30% disabled by the VA may add eligible dependents to their VA benefits, increasing their monthly disability payments in addition to allowing eligible dependents access to certain VA programs.
What is a Dependent for VA Purposes?
For VA purposes, a dependent is a family member who relies on the veteran financially and meets certain criteria. Examples of dependents for VA purposes are:
- A spouse
- Unmarried children (this includes step children, adopted children, and biological children) who:
- Are under the age of 18; or
- Are between age 18 and 23 and attending school full-time; or
- Were seriously disabled prior to reaching age 18.
- Parents in the veteran’s direct care whose net worth and income are below the limit put in place by law
- Parents (biological, step, adopted, foster, etc.) are defined as those who, for at least one year, “stood in the relationship of a parent to a veteran at any time before his or her entry into active service.”
How Do I Add Eligible Dependents to My Monthly VA Benefits?
VA has a different form to add each type of dependent to your benefit rate. If the below dependent form(s) are submitted within one year of your 30% (minimum) disability grant, the effective date of your benefit increase will be that of your original grant of benefits. See forms below:
- To add a child under the age of 18 or a spouse to your benefit rate, VA Form 21-686c: Declaration of Status of Dependents must be completed and submitted to the VA.
- If you would like to add a child attending school full-time between the ages of 18 and 23, VA Form 21-674: Request for Approval of School Attendance must be filled out and submitted to VA when necessary.
- When adding eligible parents to your VA disability benefit rate, VA Form 21P-509: Statement of Dependency of Parent(s) should be completed and turned into the VA.
What Benefits Are Available for My Dependents?
Dependents of disabled veterans may qualify for many VA programs. VA offers employment services, education and training such as The Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Program, healthcare such as CHAMPVA and The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, life insurance, and VA memorial benefits to eligible dependents of service-connected veterans.
