Secondary Dependency - General Information
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What is the Secondary Dependency Program?
There are times when a military member (including active-duty and reserve personnel, members of the National Guard, retired members, and deceased members) will need to support family members other than a spouse or a (non-primary) dependent. These additional dependents can increase financial responsibilities. If a sponsor is providing over 50 percent of living expenses, the sponsor may be able to claim the individual as a secondary dependent.
For more information on a specific dependent type or how to apply, please select one of the following:
To qualify as a secondary dependent, the law requires the claimed dependent to be "in fact" dependent on the sponsor. Sponsors must provide more than one-half (50 percent) of the claimed individual’s support. You must prove financial dependency to qualify.
How to Prove Financial Dependency:
Option 1: Provide a copy of your prior year’s tax return showing the claimed individual as a dependent.
Option 2: If you do not want or are unable to provide a copy of your tax return, please complete and return the Worksheet for Determining Financial Support with your DD137 to demonstrate financial support of the claimed individual.
Support Test:
Determine whether you have provided more than half of a claimed individual’s total support by comparing the amount you contributed to that individual’s support with the entire amount of support that person received from all sources. This includes support the individual provided from the individual’s own funds. NOTE: A person's own income is not support unless the income is actually spent for support.
- Support Test Example:
Your mother received $2,400 in social security benefits and $300 in interest. She paid $2,000 for lodging and $400 for recreation. She put $300 in a savings account. Even though your mother received a total of $2,700 ($2,400 $300), she spent only $2,400 ($2,000 $400) for her own support. If you spent more than $2,400 for her support and no other support was received, you have provided more than half of her support.
Eligible Dependents Include:
For more information about a specific dependent type or how to apply, please select one of the following:
Incapacitated Child - 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 a sponsor or is considered the dependent of a deceased sponsor (while under age 21 or under age 23 and a full-time student).
Student - Unmarried children ages 21 or 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 sponsor, or if not permanent custody for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.
Benefits and allowances to you and your secondary dependents may include:
- Increased Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) not to exceed full BAH with dependents
- Uniformed Services Identification and Privileges Card (USIP) Note: In-loco parentis dependents are not entitled to a USIP card
- Travel allowances
- Morale, welfare, and recreation privileges
- Commissary and Exchange
Sponsors can apply for secondary dependent benefits by submitting the applicable information at anytime during the calendar year.
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Upon receipt of application and prior to registration in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), a financial verification will be preformed to determine whether the family member, seeking Secondary Dependency, is in fact dependent on the sponsor. See Who can be a Secondary Dependent for more information. Once the dependency determination is approved and the individual is registered in DEERS, the non-primary dependent will be immediately entitled to the to dependency status and the associated benefits/privileges. |
Things to Keep in Mind About Redeterminations…
- Annual redetermination is required for a secondary dependent claiming housing allowance (BAH).
- Quadrennial (every four years) redetermination is required for a secondary dependent who receives a Uniformed Services Identification and Privileges Card (commonly referred to as USIP card or ID card).
- To avoid a lapse in benefits, primary minor dependents should be determined prior to the child’s 21st birthday; however, determination cannot be completed more than 90 days in advance.
- Failure to re-certify any secondary dependent will result in the suspension of benefits received on behalf of that dependent and the potential for a debt. It’s recommended that the sponsor begin preparing for redetermination prior to the expiration of the existing benefit; however, determination cannot be completed more than 90 days in advance.
- Should your secondary dependents’ status lapse and your BAH is stopped, you will not be authorized back payment of BAH for the period during which the individual(s) were not officially recognized as a dependent.
- If at any time the Secondary Dependency status changes or the sponsor’s support drops below 50 percent, all entitlements to DoD benefits and privileges cease. The beneficiary or sponsor must report any change to the office maintaining the claim.
When you’re ready to submit an initial or redetermination application, make sure you send it to the correct processing office. To determine the correct processing office for your Branch of Service, visit, SDC - Contact Us.
All applications processed by DFAS can be submitted one of two ways:
Online: The quickest and easiest method is to submit your completed dependency packages to our secure AskDFAS Secondary Dependency Claims website. After submitting via AskDFAS, a ticket number will be emailed to you for reference and updates. Please keep this ticket number until a final determination is made.
U.S. Mail: All packages may be sent via mail to the address found here. Make sure you review instructions and have included all required documents prior to mailing your application.
Please note: Applications for Secondary Dependency are NOT accepted via fax or email.
Page Updated: Nov. 16, 2024