Dependency Claims

If your combined VA disability rating is 30% or higher, you can receive additional monthly compensation for qualifying dependents. The more dependents you have, the higher your monthly payment.

• Spouse — including common-law marriage in states that recognize it
• Unmarried children under 18
• Children ages 18–23 — if attending school full-time (see school-age verification below)
• Helpless child — a child who became permanently unable to support themselves before age 18 (benefits continue for life, regardless of the child's current age)
• Dependent parents — your parent(s) must depend on you for financial support and their income must fall below VA's annual income limit. For 2026, the income limit is approximately $16,775 for a single parent and $22,595 for two parents living together (adjusted annually with COLA). File VA Form 21P-509 (Statement of Dependency of Parent(s)) along with your 21-686c. VA will verify the parent's income and expenses to determine dependency.

Step-by-Step

1. File VA Form 21-686c (Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents)
2. For children ages 18–23 in school: also file VA Form 21-674 (Request for Approval of School Attendance) with a school certification letter as proof of enrollment
3. For helpless child status: submit documentation showing the child became permanently unable to support themselves before age 18, including any disability rating letters for the child

Where to File

• Online (fastest): va.gov/manage-dependents
• By phone: Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711)
• By mail: Send completed forms to your VA regional office

To continue receiving dependency benefits for a child between 18 and 23, the child must be enrolled in school full-time. VA will periodically verify continued enrollment.

• File VA Form 21-674 with your initial dependency claim
• Include a school certification letter as proof of full-time enrollment
• VA will request updated verification periodically — respond promptly to avoid benefit reduction
• Benefits end when the child leaves school, drops below full-time, or turns 23

A "helpless child" is defined as a child who became permanently unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental disability before turning 18. There is no age limit on these benefits — they continue for the child's entire life.

• Submit documentation of the disability, including medical evidence showing onset before age 18
• Include any disability rating letters for the child
• A helpless child may also be eligible for CHAMPVA healthcare coverage
• Benefits are not affected by the child's age — a 40-year-old helpless child still qualifies

VA periodically sends verification requests using VA Form 21-0538. Failure to respond can result in your benefits being reduced.

You are required to report changes that affect your dependents promptly:

• Marriage or divorce
• Child turning 18 (unless enrolled in school full-time)
• Child leaving school or dropping below full-time enrollment
• Death of a dependent
• Child getting married (unmarried requirement for child dependents)

Failing to report changes can result in VA overpayments. If VA pays you for dependents you no longer have, you will owe that money back. Report changes as soon as they happen at va.gov/view-change-dependents or by calling 1-800-827-1000.

File online: va.gov/view-change-dependents | Call: 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711)