You can quickly and efficiently add your spouse or child to your compensation award by following an easy, step by step process on www.ebenefits.va.gov. Filing online using eBenefits gives you a faster, and in some cases, a same day response. That means your payments can begin more quickly.
How to add or remove a dependent from VA compensation?
You can add a dependent if:
- You get married
- You have or adopt a child
- Your child is between 18 and 23 years old and enrolled in school full time
- We determine that your child, who is at least 18 years old, became permanently disabled before turning 18
- You become the caregiver for a parent whose income and net worth is below a certain amount
How to add dependent to VA benefits?
- Get married
- Or your spouse gives birth to a child
- Adopt a child
- Have a child who is a full-time student and between the ages of 18 and 23
- Have a child who became permanently disabled before the age of 18
- Begin serving as the caregiver for your parent who meets the income and assets limitations.
Are spouses covered by VA?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many benefits to veterans and their dependents (e.g., children, spouses) for physical and mental healthcare. 1 As the spouse of a veteran, you may be able to use VA benefits to access insurance coverage for rehab and therapy related to addiction. 1
How can I best help my spouse?
- Start with prayer. Remember to express gratitude for your spouse and family.
- Decide together. If you don’t agree, then you haven’t reached a final decision. ...
- Evaluate yourself. Use the council to improve yourself and set goals.
- Talk about the hard topics. ...
- Keep it positive. ...
- Persevere. ...
- Conclude with prayer.
How do I add my wife to my VA health insurance?
NOTE: Parents and spouses in common law marriages, cannot be added to your benefits online through eBenefits. To add a parent as a dependent, use VA Form 21-509, Statement of Dependency of Parents and to add a spouse from a common law marriage, submit VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents.
How much does a spouse add to VA disability?
Financial Benefits The additional payments are added to other disability compensation the veteran is awarded, which include: $150 a month for a spouse with no children.
What qualifies a spouse for Veterans benefits?
The veteran must have received an honorable discharge. To qualify for most benefits, the spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least a year. In some cases, if the spouse of a veteran remarries, benefits may be terminated.
How long does it take to add spouse to VA benefits?
If you've already submitted your claim and have received a 30% or higher disability rating, the fastest way to add a dependent is online through eBenefits (www.ebenefits.va.gov). Submitting an electronic dependency claim through eBenefits allows VA to make a decision on your claim in as little as 48 hours.
Can I add my wife to my VA disability?
Find out if you're eligible and how to add a dependent spouse, child, or parent to your VA disability benefits for additional compensation. You can also sign in to VA.gov to view dependents currently added to your benefits.
How Much Does VA disability pay per dependent?
Breaking Down VA Disability Pay Rates for Each Family SituationDependent Status30%50%Veteran with One Parent and Child$489.15$976.41Veteran with Two Parents and Child$528.15$1,042.41Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18$24.00$41.00Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a)$79.00$133.005 more rows
Is my wife covered under my VA health care?
If you're the spouse, surviving spouse, dependent child, or family caregiver of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for health care benefits. In certain cases, you may also qualify for health care benefits due to a disability related to your Veteran's service.
Who gets VA benefits after death?
Am I eligible for a VA Survivors Pension as a surviving spouse? You may be eligible for this benefit if you haven't remarried after the Veteran's death, and if the deceased Veteran didn't receive a dishonorable discharge and their service meets at least one of these requirements.
What is the VA 10 year rule?
The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.
How do I update my marriage status with the VA?
Parents and spouses in common law marriages, cannot be added to your benefits online through eBenefits. To add a parent as a dependent, use VA Form 21-509, Statement of Dependency of Parents and to add a spouse from a common law marriage, submit VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents.
How do I change my VA dependent status?
There are two ways to change the status of your dependents: Paper via VA Form: VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents, or VA Form 21-674, Request for Approval of School Attendance for dependents over age 18 and attending school, or VA Form 21-509 – Statement of Dependency of Parent(s), and.
What is the VA 55 year rule?
What is the VA 55-year-old rule? Veterans who receive VA disability benefits for service-connected conditions are exempt from periodic future examinations once they turn 55 years old. This includes veterans who will be 55 by the date of a future examination, according to the VA Adjudication Procedures Manual.
What benefits do dependents get from the VA?
Importantly, eligible dependents will also have access to certain VA programs and benefits, such as employee services, VA health care, life insurance, education and training services, and VA memorial benefits.
How many pages are there in the VA form 21-686c?
VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents. VA Form 21-686c is a 12-page form that veterans use to add a spouse or child under the age of 18 to their VA benefits. However, the first six pages are simply providing instructions on how to complete the form.
What is section VI of VA?
Section VI – Veteran/Claimant Reporting Death of a Dependent. If a dependent spouse passes away, veterans must notify VA by completing this section. Here, the veteran will have to provide the name of the spouse, the date of death, and the place of death in order to remove him or her from their VA benefits.
What age can you be dependent on your spouse?
Qualifying dependents include the following: A spouse. Unmarried children (including biological children, step children, and adopted children) who are under the age of 18; between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school full-time; or were seriously disabled prior to reaching age 18.
What happens if a dependent child gets married?
If a dependent child gets married, the veteran is required to report the name of the child and the date of the marriage as he or she will no longer qualify as a dependent. The married child will then be removed from the veteran’s VA benefits.
Do you need a copy of your marriage certificate to file for divorce?
Specifically, you must attach copies of your marriage certificate and any divorce decrees. Section IV – Veteran Reporting Divorce from Former Spouse. Veterans must fill out this section to report a divorce and remove a former spouse from their VA benefits.
Who qualifies for health care benefits?
Health care for spouses, dependents, and family caregivers. If you’re the spouse, surviving spouse, dependent child, or family caregiver of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for health care benefits.
Can a Korean vet get disability for Spina Bifida?
The Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program. If you’re the biological child of a Korean or Vietnam War Veteran and you’ve been diagnosed with spina bifida, you may qualify for disability benefits, including health care benefits. Find out if you qualify and how to apply.
Why do military spouses get VA benefits?
Therefore, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers VA benefits for spouses to express gratitude and help balance the hardships that can be faced.
What is the military spouse preference program?
The Department of Defense Military Spouse Preference Program or MSP assists military spouses in securing the desired employment. Under this program, as a spouse, you will get preferential treatment for employment in placements positions open for a civilian in the Department of Defense (DOD).
What is DIC benefit?
The DIC program by the Department of Veterans Affairs provides monthly benefits to the surviving spouses of deceased Veterans. The idea is to compensate you for the economic loss caused by the death of the Veteran due to their service-connected disability or death of a service member during their service period.
What is VA claims insider?
VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. We’re here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. We also connect veteran s with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Independent Medical Opinions & Nexus Statements (Medical Nexus Letters) for a wide range of disability conditions.
What is myCAA for military spouses?
MyCAA – An education benefit or financing program for military spouses by the Department of Defense. There are numerous non-profit scholarships for spouses eligible for VA benefits such as Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), National Military Family Association (NMFA) etc. Other VA benefits for spouses may include:
How long does it take to convert a spouse's life insurance to an individual?
As military spouses who are eligible for VA benefits for spouses, you may be able to convert your spousal insurance coverage (FSGLI) into an individual plan with a private insurance provider within 120 days of the Veteran’s end of military services.
How long do you have to pay for a VA test?
Once VA categorizes you under spouses eligible for VA benefits, you have up to ten years for your eligibility date to apply for dependent benefits.
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died on or after January 1, 1993
You may also be eligible for added amounts based on certain factors. Find any descriptions in the table below that are true for you. Add the amount listed in the Added monthly amount column of each description to your monthly payment. This is your total monthly payment.
Surviving spouse rates if the Veteran died before January 1, 1993
If you're the spouse or child of a Veteran who died before January 1, 1993, we use a different method to determine your DIC monthly payment.
How DIC may affect your VA Survivors Pension or Survivor Benefit Plan
If you’re eligible for both DIC and Survivors Pension benefits, we’ll pay you whichever benefit gives you the most money. You can't get both.
More benefits for survivors
If you're the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with wartime service, find out if you're eligible for monthly pension benefits based on your income and net worth.
When is a spouse eligible for burial in a national cemetery?
The surviving spouse of an eligible Veteran who had a subsequent remarriage to a non-Veteran and whose death occurred on or after January 1, 2000, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery, based on his or her marriage to the eligible Veteran.
Does the VA accept spouse?
VA will generally accept a claimant’s statement that he or she is married, but may investigate further if an assertion appears unreliable.
Does the VA recognize same sex marriage?
A: VA recognizes a Veteran’s marriage if the marriage was recognized under the law of the place where at least one of the parties resided when they were married or when the claimant became eligible for benefits. VA now recognizes all same-sex marriages without regard to a Veteran’s current or previous state of residence.
Can a same sex spouse be enrolled in VA?
A: For Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA health care, it is possible that recognition of a same-sex spouse and inclusion of spousal income could either render the Veteran eligible to enroll or preclude the Veteran from being eligible to enroll.
