
Who Is Eligible for a Military Dependent ID Card?
- Lawful spouse
- Unremarried surviving spouse
- Unmarried children (includes adopted or stepchildren) under 21
- Unmarried children over 21 but incapable of self-support
- Unmarried children over 21 but under 23 who attend an approved learning institution as a full-time student
What are the requirements for becoming a military dependent?
- Common law marriage has not been recognized by a civil court or state law.
- The spouse is incarcerated.
- The spouse is deceased.
- The spouse has deserted the applicant.
- The spouse legally separated from the applicant (for the Army, separation by "mutual consent" is sufficient).
- The applicant or spouse has filed for divorce. ...
Does the military pay more for dependents?
The military does not pay people more money because they have dependents. There is no increase in pay for getting married, or for having children. Base pay is base pay, period.
What is the age limit for military dependent?
Military ID cards are not typically issued for dependents under the age of 10. However, there are situations in which it is necessary. These include: The child’s sponsor is a single parent who does not have an eligible spouse. The child’s parents are dual-military parents.
When do military dependents lose benefits?
When Do Military Dependents Lose Benefits? Most military benefits for non-disabled adult children end at age 21 — and all of them disappear by age 27. If a child is a full-time college student, they can still receive Tricare. And parents can purchase an extended Tricare option, known as Tricare Young Adult, until they are 25.

What defines dependent in military?
A dependent is a person who has a relationship to the military sponsor and is entitled to certain benefits by virtue of that relationship. Certain family members, primarily a spouse, child, stepchild, or legally adopted child, are automatically entitled to dependency status.
How do you prove you are a military dependent?
Veteran/Veteran Dependent – Show your military ID card, or a copy of your VA Education Benefits Certificate of Eligibility letter, or provide a copy of member's DD Form 214 to the SFCC employee/notary.
What age is considered a military dependent?
Unmarried biological, step-children and adopted children are eligible for TRICARE until age 21 (or 23 if in college, see "College Students" below). Eligibility may extend beyond these age limits if he or she is severely disabled.
Can my mother be my military dependent?
In the military, parents, parents-in-law or someone who has acted as your parent (the term for this is "in loco parentis") can be made your "secondary dependent," as can disabled adult children and minor children of whom you have custody.
Can my girlfriend be my military dependent?
When you marry a service member, you technically become a "dependent" (though I have yet to encounter a military spouse that I would define as dependent on anyone!). However, when you're not married to the service member, you are dependent on them for access to services that play a major role in his or her life.
What are the benefits of being a military dependent?
Many military benefits and resources are available to spouses.Access to commissaries and exchanges.Free gyms, libraries and other recreation opportunities.Free tax services.Free, confidential non-medical counseling services.Help with education and career goals.Military discounts.
How long can dependents keep military ID?
The family member may sign the DD Form 1172 (Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment) using a general power of attorney (POA). How long may a dependent retain an ID card? Up to age 21.
How long can military dependents stay on TRICARE?
Biological and adopted children can get TRICARE until their 21st birthday in most cases. There are some exceptions to the age limit. At age 21, your child may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult if they: Are age 21-26.
How much is dependent pay for military?
A servicemember with dependents who serves an unaccompanied tour of duty may be entitled to a family separation allowance (FSA) of $250 per month.
Can siblings be military dependents?
While certain family members—such as a spouse or child—are automatically entitled to dependency status, other family members—such as parents and siblings—require special review before they can be considered dependents and entered into DEERS. Sibling, Niece/Nephew, Cousin, or Foster Child as a Dependent.
Who gets military death benefits?
Eligible Survivor To the surviving spouse of the person, if any. If there is no surviving spouse, to any surviving children (as prescribed in the note for item 2 of the pre-2008 hierarchy, above) of the person and the descendants of any deceased children by representation.
How do I make someone a dependent?
First and foremost, a dependent is someone you support: You must have provided at least half of the person's total support for the year — food, shelter, clothing, etc. If your adult daughter, for example, lived with you but provided at least half of her own support, you probably can't claim her as a dependent.
How do I prove military status?
Here are a few common methods veterans can use to verify military service:Military ID Card (active duty, National Guard, Reserves, IRR, or retiree). ... VA Issued ID Card for Health Care.Veterans ID Card (starting Nov. ... Veterans Designation on Drivers License or State Veterans ID Card (almost all states now offer this)More items...•
How do I claim my parents as a dependent in the military?
Application is made through DFAS (Army and Air Force) or through your branch's Secondary Dependency office (Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.) You'll have to submit a DD Form 137-3 (forms and instructions are available at this link) and supporting paperwork to substantiate the dependency.
What is a military dependent?
Military dependents are the spouse (s), children, and possibly other familial relationship categories of a sponsoring military member for purposes of pay as well as special benefits, privileges and rights. This generic category is enumerated in great detail for U.S. military members.
How much does the VA pay for dependents?
Children must use their educational assistance between the ages of 18 and 26. The VA provides $936 per month to eligible dependents if they are enrolled in a full-time educational program. Several collegiate institutions provide benefits for military dependents such as Colorado State University.
What is the VA death pension?
The Department of Veteran Affairs also offers a death pension for surviving spouses and other dependents of the deceased service-member. To be eligible for the death pension, the surviving spouse cannot be remarried, and the children must be under 18 years of age unless they are in college, in which case they must be under 23 years of age. The death pension provides the surviving spouse with $7,933 annually with an additional $2,452 if he or she has one child. Each additional child or dependent receives an additional $2,020 each year. Finally, the VA also provides up to $2,000 for the deceased service-member's burial if the service-member or the service-member's family does not use a national Veteran Affairs cemetery. If a service-member is buried in a national VA cemetery, all costs and materials are covered, including a headstone and United States flag
What happens if a military member dies?
If a service-member died of a disease, injury, or disability that was incurred or aggravated on duty or during training, then the surviving spouse and other dependents can apply for additional monetary benefits. If the service-member died after January 1, 1993, then his or her surviving dependents can receive a monthly Dependency ...
How many people are military brats?
Currently the U.S. Department of Defense estimates that there are approximately 15 million individuals in the United States who are current or former military brats. It is also used in research studies.
What does "military brat" mean?
military members. The term " military brat " is also commonly used in military culture to mean a military dependent who is either a child or a teenager. The term is not an insult but carries connotations of respect and affection.
How Do I Add Eligible Dependents to My Monthly VA Benefits?
If the below dependent form (s) are submitted within one year of your 30% (minimum) disability grant, the effective date of your benefit increase will be that of your original grant of benefits. See forms below:
What is dependent in VA?
For VA purposes, a dependent is a family member who relies on the veteran financially and meets certain criteria. Examples of dependents for VA purposes are:
What Benefits Are Available for My Dependents?
Dependents of disabled veterans may qualify for many VA programs. VA offers employment services, education and training such as The Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) Program , healthcare such as CHAMPVA and The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, life insurance, and VA memorial benefits to eligible dependents of service-connected veterans.
When will VA add dependents?
April 18, 2018. Veterans who were discharged under other than Dishonorable conditions and rated at least 30% disabled by the VA may add eligible dependents to their VA benefits, increasing their monthly disability payments in addition to allowing eligible dependents access to certain VA programs.
What is a parent in the military?
Parents (biological, step, adopted, foster, etc.) are defined as those who, for at least one year, “stood in the relationship of a parent to a veteran at any time before his or her entry into active service.”.
How old do you have to be to add a child to the VA?
To add a child under the age of 18 or a spouse to your benefit rate, VA Form 21-686c: Declaration of Status of Dependents must be completed and submitted to the VA.
What are the requirements for a dependent?
Secondary (non-primary) dependents can include: 1 Parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, parent by adoption, or any person who stood ‘in-loco parentis’ (in the place of a parent) to you for at least five years prior to your emancipation. 2 Unmarried children ages 21 and 22 who are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education on a full-time basis. 3 Ward of the court, unmarried, and placed in the permanent legal physical custody of the member, or if not permanent custody for a period of at least 12 consecutive months. 4 Unmarried child over age 21 incapable of self-support because of mental or physical incapacity that occurred while the child was considered a dependent of yours as a member or retired member, or is considered the dependent of a deceased member (while under age 21 or under age 23 and a full-time student).
What age can an unmarried child be considered a dependent?
Unmarried child over age 21 incapable of self-support because of mental or physical incapacity that occurred while the child was considered a dependent of yours as a member or retired member, or is considered the dependent of a deceased member (while under age 21 or under age 23 and a full-time student).
What age can you be unmarried?
Unmarried children ages 21 and 22 who are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education on a full-time basis. Ward of the court, unmarried, and placed in the permanent legal physical custody of the member, or if not permanent custody for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.
What is considered a secondary dependent?
To qualify as a secondary dependent, the individual’s income, not including your contribution, must be less than one-half of the actual living expenses. The law requires the individual to be ‘in fact’ dependent on you, the service member.
Who can help you answer secondary dependency questions?
Your personnel or finance office can help get you answers to secondary dependency questions.
Do loco parentis dependents get USIP?
In loco parentis dependents are not entitled to a USIP card.

Military Regulations and Dependents
Who Does The Military Consider A dependent?
- For enlistment purposes, a dependent is defined as: 1. A spouse, to include a common law spouse if the state recognizes such; or 2. Any natural child (legitimate or illegitimate) or child adopted by the applicant, if the child is under 18 years of age and unmarried, regardless of whether or not the applicant has custody of the child. The term natur...
When Does The Military Not Consider A Spouse as A dependent?
- In general and for enlistment purposes, an applicant is considered to be without a spouse (i.e., unmarried), if: 1. Common law marriage has not been recognized by a civil court or state law. 2. The spouse is incarcerated. 3. The spouse is deceased. 4. The spouse has deserted the applicant. 5. The spouse legally separated from the applicant (for the Army, separation by "mutual consent…