Adding a spouse, children or parents to your VA compensation

What it is

Once your combined rating reaches 30 percent, VA pays a higher monthly amount if you have a spouse, children or a dependent parent. VA only pays the higher amount for people it has on your record. If you got married, had a child or a parent came to depend on you, and you never told VA, you may be leaving money on the table.

Who qualifies

• You have a combined disability rating of at least 30 percent.
• A spouse.
• An unmarried child, including an adopted child or stepchild, who is under 18; or 18 to 23 and in school full time; or who became permanently disabled before turning 18.
• A parent, if you are directly caring for them.

What it pays

Children and dependent parents add more, and the amounts rise with your rating. See the current rate tables and examples on our VA disability pay rates page. Rates change each December.

How to add someone, step by step

1. Pick the form. VA Form 21-686c is for a spouse or a child under 18. VA Form 21-674 is for a child 18 to 23 who is in school. VA Form 21P-509 is for a dependent parent.
2. Gather proof. VA lists examples such as a final adoption decree, or medical records showing a child's permanent disability began before age 18.
3. File online. VA's dependents tool requires you to be signed in to VA.gov with a verified account.
4. Or mail the form to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.

Deadlines and traps

• File within one year of the marriage, birth or adoption. VA says that is what allows back pay to that date.
• Tell VA when a dependent changes (for example a child stops being a dependent). Not telling VA can create an overpayment debt.
• Below a 30 percent combined rating, VA does not pay extra for dependents.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• VA benefits hotline: 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). VA lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Sources: va.gov/contact-us and Helpful VA phone numbers

Official pages

• Add dependents to your VA disability benefits
• Manage dependents online (sign-in required)
• VA Form 21P-509, Statement of Dependency of Parent(s)
• Current disability compensation rates

Free accredited help

• Find an accredited representative (attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative). VA says help from an accredited VSO representative is always free.