Benefits for Dependents: Download VA Form 21-686c and Apply Today
How to Download VA Form 21-686c
If you are a veteran or a surviving spouse who receives VA benefits, you may need to download and submit VA Form 21-686c to update your information about your dependents. This form allows you to claim additional benefits for a dependent, or to request to remove a dependent from your benefits. In this article, we will explain what VA Form 21-686c is, why you need it, how to fill it out, how to submit it, and what are the other forms related to it.
What is VA Form 21-686c?
VA Form 21-686c is an application request to add and/or remove dependents from your VA benefits. It is also known as Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents. You can use this form to report changes in your marital status, your children's status, or your dependent parents' status. You can also use this form to provide evidence of your relationship with your dependents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption decrees, or school attendance records.
download va form 21-686c
Why do you need VA Form 21-686c?
You need VA Form 21-686c for two main reasons:
To claim additional benefits for a dependent
If you are a veteran who has a combined disability rating of at least 30 percent, or a veteran who receives Veterans Pension, you may be entitled to additional benefits for your dependents. These dependents include your spouse, your children under age 18, your children between age 18 and 23 who are attending school, your children over age 18 who are permanently incapable of self-support, and/or your dependent parents. You need to submit VA Form 21-686c along with the required evidence to claim these additional benefits.
To remove a dependent from your benefits
If you have a dependent who is no longer eligible for your benefits, you need to report this change to VA as soon as possible. This may happen if you get divorced, if your child gets married, if your child stops attending school, if your child becomes capable of self-support, or if your dependent dies. You need to submit VA Form 21-686c along with the required evidence to request the removal of a dependent from your benefits.
How to fill out VA Form 21-686c?
VA Form 21-686c has 10 sections that you need to complete depending on your situation. The table below summarizes the main information that you need to provide in each section.
Section
Information
Section I
Veteran/Claimant's Identification Information
Section II
Information About Your Spouse
Section III
Information About Your Children
Section IV
Information About Your Previous Marriages
Section V
Information About Your Spouse's Previous Marriages
Section VI
Information About Your Dependent Parents
Section VII
Information About Your School Attendance
Section VIII
Information About Your Incapable of Self-Support
Section IX
Information About Your Direct Deposit and Contact Information
Section X
Certification and Signature of Veteran/Claimant or Person Acting as His/Her Agent
You can find detailed instructions on how to fill out each section of VA Form 21-686c on the that explains how to complete the form step by step.
How to submit VA Form 21-686c?
You can submit VA Form 21-686c in two ways:
How to download VA Form 21-686c online
Download VA Form 21-686c to add or remove dependents
VA Form 21-686c PDF download
Where to find VA Form 21-686c for download
Download VA Form 21-686c for disability benefits
Download VA Form 21-686c for Veterans Pension
Download VA Form 21-686c for survivors benefits
Download VA Form 21-686c and instructions
Download VA Form 21-686c and other forms
Download VA Form 21-686c and submit online
Download VA Form 21-686c for spouse benefits
Download VA Form 21-686c for child benefits
Download VA Form 21-686c for dependent parent benefits
Download VA Form 21-686c to report a divorce
Download VA Form 21-686c to report a death
Download VA Form 21-686c to report a marriage
Download VA Form 21-686c to report a schoolchild over 18
Download VA Form 21-686c for more than four children
Benefits of downloading VA Form 21-686c
Tips for downloading VA Form 21-686c
FAQs about downloading VA Form 21-686c
Problems with downloading VA Form 21-686c
Alternatives to downloading VA Form 21-686c
Download VA Form 21P-509 with VA Form 21-686c
Download VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with VA Form 21P674 with
Online tool
The easiest and fastest way to submit VA Form 21-686c is to use the on the VA website. You can sign in with your DS Logon, My HealtheVet, or ID.me account, or create a new account if you don't have one. You can then upload your form and any supporting documents electronically. You can also check the status of your claim online.
Mail or fax
If you prefer to mail or fax your form and documents, you can download VA Form 21-686c from the .
What are the other forms related to VA Form 21-686c?
Depending on your situation, you may need to submit other forms along with VA Form 21-686c. Here are two common forms that you may need:
VA Form 21-674
This form is also known as Request for Approval of School Attendance. You need to submit this form if you have a child between age 18 and 23 who is attending school and you want to claim additional benefits for him or her. You need to provide information about the school, the course of study, the attendance, and the expenses. You also need to attach a copy of the child's birth certificate or adoption decree.
VA Form 21P-509
This form is also known as Statement of Dependency of Parent(s). You need to submit this form if you have a dependent parent who relies on you for financial support and you want to claim additional benefits for him or her. You need to provide information about your parent's income, assets, expenses, and medical conditions. You also need to attach a copy of your parent's birth certificate or adoption decree.
Conclusion
In conclusion, VA Form 21-686c is an important form that you need to download and submit if you want to update your information about your dependents for your VA benefits. You need to fill out the form carefully and provide all the required evidence. You can submit the form online or by mail or fax. You may also need to submit other forms related to your dependents, such as VA Form 21-674 or VA Form 21P-509.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions and answers about VA Form 21-686c:
Q: How long does it take to process VA Form 21-686c?
A: The processing time for VA Form 21-686c may vary depending on the complexity of your case, the completeness of your application, and the workload of the VA regional office. According to the , the average processing time for adding or removing a dependent is about 10 days.
Q: How much additional benefit can I get for my dependents?
A: The amount of additional benefit that you can get for your dependents depends on your disability rating and the number of your dependents. You can find the current rates for additional benefits for dependents on the . For example, if you have a 50 percent disability rating and you have a spouse and one child, you can get an additional $113.86 per month.
Q: What if I have more than one dependent of the same type?
A: If you have more than one dependent of the same type, such as more than one child or more than one parent, you need to submit a separate VA Form 21-686c for each dependent. You also need to provide the required evidence for each dependent.
Q: What if I make a mistake on VA Form 21-686c?
A: If you make a mistake on VA Form 21-686c, you need to correct it as soon as possible. You can either submit a new form with the correct information, or write a letter to the VA regional office explaining the mistake and requesting a correction. You should also include any supporting documents that can verify the correct information.
Q: How can I get help with VA Form 21-686c?
A: If you need help with VA Form 21-686c, you can contact the VA toll-free at 800-827-1000. You can also get assistance from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, or Veterans of Foreign Wars. You can find a list of VSOs on the .