For veterans receiving disability compensation, one notable consideration is how these benefits might change as their dependent children reach adulthood. Veterans’ disability payments often include an additional amount for each dependent, which can impact the monthly payment.Â
How VA disability payments work for dependents
Veterans receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) often receive additional payments for their dependents. This amount is added to the veteran’s monthly disability payment and covers spouses, dependent children, and in some cases, dependent parents. For children, this dependency status usually ends when they turn 18. However, there are exceptions, such as children who are full-time students or those with certain disabilities.
What happens when a child turns 18?
Typically, VA disability benefits for a dependent child ends when the child turns 18. This is because, in the eyes of the VA, the child has reached adulthood and is no longer considered a dependent for disability compensation.
However, there are exceptions:
If the child is a full-time student, benefits can continue until age 23. The child must be enrolled in a VA-approved educational institution, such as a high school or college. Proof of enrollment is necessary, and the veteran will need to notify the VA about the child’s educational status.
If the child has a permanent disability before turning 18, they may qualify as a “helpless child.” In this case, the VA may continue to provide disability payments for the child beyond 18, as long as they are deemed unable to support themselves due to the disability. This classification needs to be established and approved by the VA.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for adult children
For children of deceased veterans, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a key benefit designed to provide financial support. DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit for eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who passed away due to a service-connected injury or illness.
Eligibility for DIC as an adult child
Adult children may be eligible for DIC under specific conditions:
- Helpless Child Status: If the adult child was permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 due to a disability, they may qualify for DIC as a “helpless child.”
- Enrolled in a VA-Approved Educational Program: If the child is between 18 and 23 years old and is enrolled in a VA-approved educational institution, they may continue to receive DIC benefits. The child must remain a full-time student to maintain eligibility.
Establishing entitlement to DIC for an adult child depends on proving that the veteran’s death was connected to their service. As a rule, if the veteran’s death was caused by a service-connected disability, DIC is typically awarded. Another route to DIC eligibility is if the veteran had a totally disabling service-connected disability for at least 10 years before their death. In such cases, the VA is likely to approve DIC for the family, including the adult child if they meet the above criteria.
