GET MORE MONEY! Add Parents, Spouse and Children as Dependents to your VA Disability Compensation

GET MORE MONEY! Add Parents, Spouse and Children as Dependents to your VA Disability Compensation

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.

[TheScoops]

I tried filling out the form to add my dependents and it got rejected. I logged into the VA website, added them there, and it was approved in a couple hours. Just a tip to my fellow vets.

[TheScoops]

Oh hey, when you're adding your college bound kids, make sure you fill out the form that says you can communicate with the VA for them, or else they're gonna be trying to navigate VA processes on their own.

[khaynes]

My wife and I were literally just talking about this! Thank you for the great content. You change lives daily!

[abeautifullife]

Thank you! Good information. My 2 sons most definitely suffered abuse with their step mother and father ( both dead ) so I will be checking into this for sure. Their trauma has carried over into their adult lives.

[johnschneider]

What about my older sister? I have been supporting her for 17 years. I even claim her on my txes...head of household.

[jamessmith]

Would a grandfather qualify as a dependent? My father passed away before my service, and my grandfather was there for me as a father.

[redkeepersylar]

Where can I find the income limits to see if I can add a dependent parent? Can't seem to find it anywhere.

[paulrine]

Interesting question. how about my Filipino wife and step kids that don't have a ssn yet because they haven't emigrated to the US? I am currently living in the Philippines with them and not planning on bringing them to the US. Im also trying to figure this out to get them US ssn's.

[kevs]

If your 100 p&t and you want to add your parent as a dependent does that re-open your files/case with the VA?

[timothyjburton]

What are the parent income limits if your parents live with you? I can’t get a straight answer.

[luxbrite]

I ha e two kiddos in college using chapter 35. They stopped paying for them as soon. As they turn 18 and started college?. Question is do we still get that added in our monthly disability.

[RealMrObvious]

My son has had documented medical disabilities since age 5. I was already rated 30% and I was receiving dependent benefits up until he hit age 18. He is 19 now and we just received a notice from his doctor stating that my son is permanently disabled as a result of his long time disabilities. So the question: He is not currently listed as a dependant with the VA. Would he be elegible to be added back since there was a history of his disabilities going back prior to turning 18?

[OMG]

The info my wife has is that you need to be 100% for dependents to be added...

[talayaharmon]

Thank you for all the information you give out in each video.

[jasminejimenezgordonnnn]

If my mom works can I still have here as a dependent when we both live in the same house and I’m paying half of the rent?

[cman]

Would then need to be considered a dependent when filing taxes?

[jjacksonjr]

Can claim Aid and Attendance for NON veteran parents?

[levonna]

I have been taking care of my nephew since the age of 5 and when I tried adding him they denied it twice

[PLo_Trades]

I have a parent and a newborn to add, will I be able to add both of them online? I see how I can add my newborn on the VA site but not my parent. Thanks in advance.

[IntoTheWild]

I just received my determination letter but my hearing is still pending. Should i add my wife now?
And, this is my 2nd wife AFTER my active duty. I take it that dont matter?