FAMILYVA program
Dependency and Compensation Rate Adjustment for Veterans
Veterans receiving VA disability compensation may add dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents) to their award to receive an additional compensation amount beyond the base disability rate.
Available to veterans at 30%+ disability rating with qualifying dependents
Step-by-step guide
What VA looks for: Adding a spouse or a child under 18
- A combined rating of at least 30 percentAdded pay for a spouse, child, or dependent parent starts when the veteran is paid compensation for disability rated 30 percent or more.
- A marriage, birth, or adoption VA can confirmVA accepts your statement of a marriage or birth when it gives the month, year, and place of the event and the full name of the other person. VA can ask for more, and adoptions need a decree, placement agreement, or revised birth certificate.
Source: 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.204(a) (opens in new tab)
Which kind of claim is this?
- Adding a spouse or a child under 18
A veteran rated at least 30 percent can get added compensation for a spouse and for children. VA recognizes same-sex and common-law marriages. An unmarried child counts, including an adopted child or stepchild.
Source: 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab); VA Form 21-686c (opens in new tab)
- Keeping a child 18 to 23 who is in school
VA stops the added pay for a child at 18 unless you tell VA the child is in school. A child 18 to 23 enrolled in school full time or part time stays a dependent until graduation or until the child stops attending.
- A child 18 to 23 attending schoolAn unmarried child at least 18 and under 23 who is taking courses at a school VA approves, full time or part time. VA uses VA Form 21-674 for this child. The 30 percent rating rule still applies.
Source: VA Form 21-674 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.57(a)(1) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA rating decision or benefit summary letter The VA letter showing your combined disability rating. | A combined rating of at least 30 percent | VA holds it. You can download decision letters and a benefit summary letter on VA.gov. | Yes |
| Application to add or remove dependents VA Form 21-686c, filed online or by mail. It gives the facts of each marriage and each child. | Who your dependents are, and the date and place of each marriage or birth | File it online on VA.gov, or mail it to the Evidence Intake Center address on the VA.gov page. | |
| Adoption decree or revised birth certificate The final adoption decree, the placement agreement, or the child's revised birth certificate. | That an adopted child is your child | You keep a copy. Send it to VA with the dependency claim. | Yes |
| Request for approval of school attendance VA Form 21-674, for a child at least 18 and under 23 who attends school. | That the child is in school, and the expected graduation date | Online, pick the school child option at the start of the 21-686c. By mail, send VA Form 21-674. |
Records and statements go to VA. BeneVets never asks you to upload or type them here.
Steps, in order
- Check your combined rating
Added pay for dependents starts at a 30 percent combined rating. Your rating is in your decision letter or benefit summary letter.
Source: 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: download VA benefit letters (opens in new tab)
- File a dependency claim
Add a spouse or child online on VA.gov, or mail VA Form 21-686c. If you have not filed for compensation yet, you can claim dependents in the same claim.
Source: VA Form 21-686c (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
- Add a child in school
For a child 18 to 23 in school, tell VA before the 18th birthday so the added pay keeps going. Use VA Form 21-674.
Source: VA Form 21-674 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
- Add a dependent parent by mail
A parent you directly care for, whose income and net worth are below VA limits, can be added. Mail VA Form 21P-509 to the Evidence Intake Center.
Source: VA Form 21P-509 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
- File within a year of the event
File within a year of a marriage, birth, or adoption, and answer VA requests for evidence within a year, so pay can go back to the event date. After a new rating of 30 percent or more, send dependent evidence within a year of the rating notice.
Source: 38 CFR 3.401(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
- Report changes to avoid a debt
Tell VA about a divorce, a death, a child who marries, or a child who leaves school. VA also asks you to confirm dependents every 8 years with VA Form 21-0538, or it removes them.
Source: VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
- Get free help
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Below a 30 percent combined rating, VA does not pay more for a spouse, child, or parent. VA.gov rate tables show the 10 and 20 percent rates are the same with or without dependents.
Source: 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: current Veterans disability compensation rates (opens in new tab)
VA may pay back to the date of a marriage, birth, or adoption if you already had a combined rating of at least 30 percent then, you file within a year of the event, and you answer any VA request for more evidence within a year. If more than a year has passed, VA may pay back only to the date it got the claim, or in some cases up to a year before that date. After a new rating of 30 percent or more, send dependent evidence within a year of the rating notice.
Source: 38 CFR 3.401(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab)
The added amounts depend on your rating and your family. VA.gov lists them in its compensation rate tables, effective December 1, 2025.
Source: VA.gov: current Veterans disability compensation rates (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 8, 2026: 38 CFR 3.4(b)(2) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 3.204(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 3.401(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 3.57(a)(1) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: manage dependents for disability, pension, or DIC benefits (opens in new tab), VA Form 21-686c (opens in new tab), VA Form 21-674 (opens in new tab), VA Form 21P-509 (opens in new tab), VA.gov: current Veterans disability compensation rates (opens in new tab), VA.gov: download VA benefit letters (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)