Apportionment: sharing part of a veteran's VA pay

What it is

An apportionment is when VA sends part of a Veteran's (or a surviving spouse's) VA payment directly to a dependent instead of all of it going to the person who earned it. The form for asking is VA Form 21-0788, Information Regarding Apportionment of Beneficiary's Award. VA says spouses, dependent children and dependent parents use it.

What changed

VA's final rule says VA no longer makes apportionments based on need or hardship. For claims VA receives on or after 9 February 2026, apportionment stays available only in narrow cases. According to the Federal Register summary, these are: (1) the Veteran or surviving spouse is incarcerated, and (2) an incompetent Veteran with no fiduciary is receiving hospital, nursing home or domiciliary care at government expense, where apportionment may go to a spouse, child or dependent parent. VA's rule (38 CFR 3.450) also says apportionment claims must be filed on the form VA prescribes.

VA said in the rule that family-support disputes belong in state courts. So if your real problem is support from a Veteran who is not paying, VA's rule points that question to state courts, not to VA.

If you already get an apportionment

Apportionments already being paid as of 9 February 2026 continue until the reason for them ends, such as a divorce, the death of the primary beneficiary, or the death of the person receiving the apportionment (38 CFR 3.450(b)).

How to ask if you think you fit one of the cases

1. Download and fill out VA Form 21-0788 (VA offers a PDF and an online tool).
2. Send it as the form directs, or call the benefits hotline first so a VA representative can tell you whether your case qualifies.

Traps

• Not every dependent-related payment is an apportionment. If you need to add or remove a dependent on the Veteran's own award, that is a different process; see VA's manage dependents page.
• An apportionment is not a divorce or child support order and does not replace one.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• VA benefits hotline: 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Number source: VA accrued benefits fact sheet; hours source: Helpful VA phone numbers.
• Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7: 988, then select 1. Source: Helpful VA phone numbers

Official pages

• VA Form 21-0788: apportionment application
• Manage dependents for disability, pension or D.I.C. benefits
• Federal Register: Apportionments final rule (9 Jan 2026)

Free accredited help

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