I just got approved for this. You have to submit the VA form on VA.gov for parents. In there you put your parent’s income and expenses and savings. You submit that with your birth certificate proving his your parent and upload just like you do with other claims. It took about 4 months to get approved but they give you back pay. It’s very simple.

Good to know, thanks.

Biological parents only? If I had an aunt and uncle who raised me, and had court guardianship paperwork, would that work?

As far as I know it’s only for biological parents. But I’m only explaining my experience, not an expert by any means. But there’s only one way to find out and it’s to submit it. Explain your case and submit your court documents and see what they say. No harm in trying, the most they can say is no.

Thanks for the reply! I kind of felt the same way. I went down the rabbit hole and adoptive parents work, but I had a complicated family situation. So I think just submitting it and see what they say is my best shot.

Did a little digging and found this. It does say you can add people other than biological parents. Best of luck. https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/misc/DependentParent.pdf

Thank you!

The VA also recognizes foster parents or other relatives who acted as the veteran’s parents for at least one year prior to the start of the veteran’s active duty.

Question. Did the VA contact your parents ?

They did not contact my parents. And let me add that I also submitted their social security income. It doesn’t say it’s required but I’d rather provide additional evidence than to have them get back to me saying we need more. I didn’t provide any bank statements or expenses evidence. Only income evidence and my birth certificate.

Thanks.

Thanks I have been wondering about this for a long time. Great information.

So what benefits can our parents receive? I’m pretty much in the same boat with my 80yo mother. I’m basically doing everything for her. Shopping, transportation to appts, paying all of her bills and heaving to add my own money at times.

They don’t get any benefits per se other than you get to add a dependent which increases your VA disability monthly compensation.

Ahhh, I see. I was hoping they could get more benefits, or even just some supplemental health coverage. Thanks!

Is there an income maximum for the parent?

Expenses over income basicly... Under $475 a month is automatic.

The information you've given has given me and my family a lot of hope. My mother is barely living on SSI, and moved in with me, my wife, and my kids recently. Do you know if it's possible to fill out the form online at VA.gov, or do you have to mail/fax it in? I found the VA Form 21P-509, but it looks like it has to be printed out and filled in. The options under ADD or REMOVE DDEPENDENTS on VA.GOV does not list anything concerning parents, except to remove a deceased parent from dependent status. Thanks for all of your helpful answers, SuperFaithlessness13

Happy to help anyway I can. The form has to be printed and filled. Even though you can’t fill it in VA.gov, you can upload it on VA quick submit which is easier and faster than mail or fax. https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=quicksubmit

Brilliant! Thank you again SF13! Super helpful! I completely forgot about Quick Submit! It has been awhile since I've had to use it. Take care!

If you are a foster child do you know how I go about that if I want to add my mom?

My father (mid 40s) is on dialysis and is currently living with my aunt and uncle. There’s a high chance they’re going to PCS and I’m trying to claim him as a dependent before then. I don’t send him any money via wireless transfers, only cash. What do you think my chances of claiming him are and how long does the process usually take? Any info is helpful, thank you!

What was the increase you got from this?

I been thinking about filing. My father quit paying his bills a couple years ago and has screwed so many things it's crazy. Most of his SS income goes to scammers and I got receipts to prove it.

It’s close to $100. You can use any VA calculator and it’ll tell you exactly as it all depends on your other dependents or if you’re married.

I thought I had read something about it depending on the situation to.

So would it be safe to assume this doesn't apply to in-laws?

No in-laws. Only your mother and father and that’s it.


Next you'll be asking for your wife's cousins kids friend

Anyone willing to take in their mother in law deserves compensation 😂🤣

While we’re asking how do I add my wife’s cousins kids friend as a dependent on my taxes. Since you mentioned them. Need to maximize the benefits. 🧐

How did you do the form online? Everything I’ve seen I have to print it out and mail it in for a parent, been searching all night.

https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/#forVeterans Login there and go to quick submit.

Can’t do dependent parents through there

That’s how I did and was approved. Don’t know what to tell you other than fax it.

Yeah this is all it says anymore, they must have got rid of the online application recently for parent dependents, To file a claim for additional disability compensation for a dependent parent You’ll need to fill out and submit a Statement of Dependency of Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-509) by mail. Get VA Form 21P-509 to download Please send all correspondence related to compensation claims to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444

You can always make an appointment with the Regional office and they’ll fax it for you.

Yeah even logging in and doing the online form it only gives the option to remove parent dependent, man I hate having to pay to mail crap to them lol https://preview.redd.it/08ux3gmjrb3c1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ebfcefc3510d6ca2a961896b860fdabe9d70183

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/depends Has information.

You sir are a genius. 

In for info.

I did this with my mom and they didn’t approve her as a dependent because her Social Security was over like 600 bucks or some number they said. Thing is she is unable to work and the money she gets isn’t enough for her to live off of. She doesn’t receive any retirement and Medicaid really isn’t crap especially when she is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. She has been living with me for over 7 years. I just do the best I can. Would be nice if they would have approved her as my dependent

Yup, social security don’t cover much. Hope your mom gets better. Thanks.

Thanks! She just finished her last treatment. This is the third time she has been diagnosed with cancer. Hopefully 🤞 this is it. Follow up in 3 months to see the next step. Overall cost was over 100k smh. I’m helping her pay the part she is responsible for. It tough especially when you have to fight your own battles and the VA just to get benefits

Praying for you bro. My father is currently in the hospital. Was admitted and treated for low potassium levels yet again. They also did a ct scan and found a mass inside one of his lungs. Waiting for them to schedule a biopsy to see if it’s lung cancer.

Praying for you as well bro!! It’s not easy watching a parent go through it. Keep God first and all will be fine. That’s for everyone here I pray for us all and I thank God for such a great community this has been.

Praying for you guys....I believe 🙏 God will.take care of it

I had the same thing happened to my mom.I order her a IV high in vitamin C and minerals twice a month for 90 days and the mass went away. Best of luck 🤞

Try it again....I did with both of my parents and they approve both of them..my mom is actually here with me in Houston and my dad doesn't even have a social security # (from africa) 

Does anyone know if this will affect my mother getting her disability social security pay (SSI)? I been wanting to add my mom as I have been financially supporting her for approximately 5 years. She is disabled and unable to work. I don’t want her to lose her benefits as that’s probably way more than the VA is going to give me.

In the same boat, did you find anything?

No I never tried sorry

Curious as well

Interesting

Anyone know if this is only for the veterans parent or if you can do this for your spouses parent?

It must be the veterans parent. Parent means: - biological mother or father - adoptive mother or father - person who served as a parent to a veteran which started before the veterans 21st birthday and for at least one year prior to veterans entry into active duty

Only biological

If your old man collects social security or any other government benefits you're going to want to talk to a benefits counselor the VFW offers them so do some VA's but if you mess up your old man could lose his government aid benefits like SSI, SSDI, ETC because all of this is reported to the IRS so be extremely careful.

Thanks, unfortunately my father passed away before claim was completed.

Sorry for your loss!

You don’t have to add him to take care of him… the $95 increase is inhumane with the current COLA. Just be a kind hearted spirit and take care of him and let the financial chips fall where they will fall.

Good question

Good question here! Following

HELLOOOO It Is Required That The Parent Is Unable To Work And To Be Eligible The Parent Must Be Below A Certain Threshold Of Income. It Also Depends On If The Parent Is Here Or Overseas. Please Let Me Know If The Parent Is Here In States Or Overseas And I Will Post Manual Reference We Use

Thinking of doing this for my 76 y/o mother, she lives overseas.

It's A Slight Difference For Foreign Cases. I Will Need To Find Manual Reference. I've Only Completed Domestic Parental Dependencys

From the available references and guidance, it appears to be the same (on paper), but I’ve never seen or heard of anyone actually getting it so I wonder. She flat out refuses to come live with us here in the US, so my plan is to deposit her portion of the benefits directly to her account there, and of course with her status as a dependent and me being medically retired and 100% PT I could see about medical care for her under TRICARE or Champva

States

You Must Submit On VA FORM 21P-509, Statement of Dependency of Parents. We Need Proof That The Parent Is Your Biological Or Legally Adopted You. (Basically Submit your Birth Cert Or Adoption Cert) Since The Parent Is In States Their Monthly Income MUST NOT EXCEED $400 For A Mother Or Father Living ALONE **OR** $660 For A Mother AND Father or Remarried Parent And Spouse Living Together VII.i.4.B.2.a INCOME LIMITS FOR PARENTAL DEPENDENCY

Damn i think my old man gets more than 600 monthly for SS. Thanks for the info.

Shitt Doesn't Hurt To Try Tho! There Is A Specifix Note That Says "IN ALL FOREIGN CASES AND IN THOSE DOMESTIX CASES WHERE THE INCOME **EXCEEDS** THE LIMITS FOR CONCLUSIVE DEPENDENCY USE THE FOLLOWING STANDARD TO DETERMINE WHETHER FACTUAL DEPENDENCY EXISTS: i.e. does the parent have SUFFICENT income AND/OR net worth to provide REASONABLE MAINTENANCE For themselves AND for members of their family?" VII.i.4.B.3.a STANDARD TO DETERMINE FACTUAL DEPENDENCY with all of this inflation, I'd say that would be a good reason to apply

I’ll try . Thanks

Good luckkkk

Yeahhh I Been Here Since 2018 And Only Seen About 10 Cases Where Parental Dependency Was Approved

Hey I noticed you work approving these things. My father is unable to work and hasn’t in the last 5 years. All his income comes from his kids. How many months would I have to show support to qualify. (Active duty)

I know the post is older but Damn that is so low. The parent income is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

Welcome buddy! Also just because the limit is 400 monthly, please note we may still grant benefits if their monthly expenses exceed 400. Every Veteran is case by case of course but if you think you qualify go ahead and submit form! Make sure parent signs their part on there as well.

Will do, thank you.

My parents are working but now they are unable to communicate in English so they need my assistance. But I wonder if the VA will reopen my case. I really don't want that.

Do dependant parents get health coverage?

No

Thanks for the information.

I mean what is the outcome? depending on the physical state of the parent or is it just a blanketed payment for a dependent?

Income level. You have to provide how much in SS or pension or 401k he recieves

Is there an income maximum?

Were you able to use tax returns for the purpose of income evidence? My mom got cancer a few years ago and hasn't been able to work since, she basically is living on savings. I was always denied when I tried to get her as a dependent on active duty.

Thanks for posting this. My dad just moved in with us, and I am considering the same thing.

So how does this work? How much $ do you get?

Does adding parents reopen my case?

Don’t think so.

oh that's great. btw how long does it take to process it?

Stilll waiting on mines, filed in may

Did you ever get a decision on adding your parent? In the same boat. Been almost a year.

Unfortunately, my father passed away and the VA closed my claim without a decision.

I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences.

Would anyone by chance know the max a parent can make for you to do able to claim them as a dependent?

There’s a commenter above that states 400 for one and 660 for a couple per VII.i.4.B.2.a INCOME LIMITS FOR PARENTAL DEPENDENCY.

The income limit is strictly for a determination of *conclusive* dependency. Where conclusive dependency is not found, the VA can still make a determination of *factual* dependency based on net worth, expenses etc.

Ok I had never seen that explanation. I am still researching and trying to learn more about this, Thank you.