Full Answer
How do I remove a dependent from my VA benefits?
Use VA Form 21-686c to submit a claim for additional benefits for a dependent, or to request to remove a dependent from your benefits. You can submit your request online instead of filling out and sending us the paper form.
Can the VA change the status of a dependent on disability?
The status of your dependents is recorded by the VA when they process your initial disability compensation claim, but they are not able to automatically make changes to your dependent’s status.
What are the benefits of having a dependent on 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. When Can I Add Dependents to My VA Benefits?
How to file a VA disability claim for a dependent parent?
For a dependent parent, you’ll need to fill out a Statement of Dependency of Parent (s) (VA Form 21P-509). You can file your claim again online for a faster decision. If we award you additional disability compensation, we’ll give you back pay from the original date we received your paper form.
How do I remove a dependent from my VA benefits?
Submitting an electronic dependency claim through eBenefits allows VA to make a decision on your claim in as little as 48 hours. Simply log into eBenefits and click “Add or Remove Dependent” under the Apply section.
How do I change my dependent status with VA?
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.
How do I remove my ex wife from my VA disability?
You may be able to accomplish the status change by calling the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000. One reason the VA may not require you to use a paper form is that removing a dependent is much easier than adding one.
Can my wife get my VA disability if we divorce?
VA Disability Payments Cannot Be Divided As Marital Property in a Divorce. First off, VA disability payments cannot be divided in a divorce.
Does the VA verify dependents?
Completion of VA Form 21-0538 and VA Form 21-0537 by beneficiaries allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to verify the following approximately once every eight years: status of the dependents of all Veterans in receipt of additional compensation for a spouse and/or child(ren), and.
Do you get more VA disability if you have dependents?
Adding dependents to your benefits means you may be eligible for a higher disability payment, also known as a “benefit rate.”
What is the 10 10 Rule military?
Here is a brief description of the “10/10 rule”: If the marriage lasted 10 years and the service member or former service member served at least 10 years in the military during that marriage, then the former spouse shall receive those pension benefits from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Can ex wife claim my military pension years after divorce?
But because the division of the military pension is controlled by the court, not the Defense Department, how that is affected depends entirely on the divorce settlement. Under most circumstances, a remarriage will not change how or if an ex-spouse continues to receive a portion of the military pension.
Does legal separation affect VA benefits?
Essentially, VA requires continuous cohabitation between a surviving spouse and the veteran to qualify for benefits. Separations that occurred during the marriage do not prevent surviving spouses from receiving benefits as long as they were no longer estranged at the time of the veteran's death.
Does VA disability count for child support?
Can VA Disability Benefits Be Used to Calculate Child Support? Yes, VA benefits can be used to calculate child support payments. Most states consider VA disability compensation as income, so these funds are considered when calculating child support payments.
Is VA disability for life?
If VA assigns you a 100% rating, it has the option of also designating you permanently and totally disabled. If you receive this designation, your benefits are safe for the rest of your life.
At what age does VA disability stop?
age 67When veterans reach age 67, all VA disability payments would revert to the amount associated with the rated disability level; veterans age 67 or older who are already receiving IU payments would no longer receive them after the effective date of the option.
How do I add a dependent to my VA claim?
Adding a dependent using the VA paper forms After you fill out your paper forms, mail them to our claim intake center for processing. You can also work with an accredited Veterans Service Organization, who can answer any questions you have about the claim process or the specific paper forms.
How much do you get for dependents on VA disability?
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
Who does the VA consider a dependent?
Biological children, adopted children and stepchildren can all qualify as dependents as long as they meet the following criteria: Unmarried and under the age of 18; Between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending school full-time; or. Disabled prior to age 18.
What is VA Form 21 674b?
VA Forms 21-674, 21-674b, and 21-674c are used to gather the necessary information to determine initial and continued benefit entitlement to or for a child between the ages of 18 and 23 who is attending school.
How long do you have to wait to add a dependent to your VA?
So you may need to wait a couple months from the time of birth before you can add your new dependent.
How to change dependent status?
There are two ways to change the status of your dependents: 1 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 2 Electronically via VONAPP or eBenefits.
What is the VA disability rate?
Military veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more are often eligible to receive VA disability compensation benefits. Veterans may be eligible to receive a higher compensation rate if they are rated at 30% or higher and have one or more dependents, including a spouse, child, or a parent in their care.
How long does it take to fill out a VA form?
VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents. VA Form 21-686c is a two page paper form, which according to the VA, should take approximately 15 minutes to fill out. The form is fairly straight forward, and requests the standard information, such as the veteran’s personal information and VA File number, marriage status, information regarding your unmarried children, including their name, SSN, age, schooling status, etc. Then you simply need to sign the form and mail it in to the VA center which handles your claim. You can download this form here: VA Form 21-686c (pdf).
When to use VA Form 21-674?
This form is used when your dependent child (ren) are over age 18, and are attending school. Child dependents are ineligible to be claimed past age 18 unless they are attending a qualified school, or they have special needs. You can download this form here: VA Form 21-674 (pdf).
Does the VA send an e-mail?
The VA automatically sends an e-mail when they receive your claim, and another when your claim is downloaded and the claim is being processed. The information includes your name, date of submission, and which regional VA office received your form (including their contact information).
Can veterans use VONAPP?
Veterans are now able to use VONAPP or eBenefits to apply for VA compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, burial benefits, and more. Veterans can also use this online tool to update the status of their dependents, file claims for increases in service-connected disabilities, add disabilities, and more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to remove dependent from VA?
The easiest way to remove a dependent is online through eBenefits. It will take longer for VA to process a claim to remove a child compared to removing a spouse, but submitting your information online is still much faster than submitting a paper claim. If you get divorced and need to remove your spouse, VA recommends you submit a claim to remove a dependent as soon as possible. You do not have to submit or upload the supporting paperwork into eBenefits.
How long does it take to get a VA dependency claim?
In some cases, filing a dependency claim online through eBenefits could get you a decision in as little as 48 hours.
Can you add dependents to VA disability?
If you have a 30% or higher disability rating from VA, you can add your dependents to your disability compensation benefits. Adding dependents to your benefits means you may be eligible for a higher disability payment, also known as a “benefit rate.”
Does VA track child's age?
No, VA will track your child’s age based on the date of birth you provide when filing your dependency claim . When your child turns 18, they will be removed from your disability compensation if they are not attending school.