View or edit dependents on your VA disability benefits

It depends on where you are in the process of filing for a disability award.

If you have not yet applied for a Disability Award

You can file an additional claim for a dependent at the same time you file your initial claim for disability compensation.

If you receive a combined disability rating of at least 30%, we will automatically consider you eligible for additional compensation for your dependent.

Find out how to file a Disability Award claim

If you have one or more dependents, but you did not claim them when you applied for disability compensation

If you have a combined disability rating of at least 30%, you can apply for Supplemental Disability Award now.

If anything changes in your family situation after you receive a Combined Disability Rating of at least 30%

You can apply for Supplementary Disability Benefit each time you add a dependent.

You can add a dependent if:

• You are getting married
• You have or adopt a child
• Your child is between 18 and 23 years old and attends 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 of a relative whose income and net worth are below a certain amount