Payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued to the veteran or the veteran's surviving spouse may be augmented for dependents.
Effective 11/17/94, the dependent's portion of the VA benefit is not income to an
absent dependent unless he/she receives it directly.
Therefore, to get SSI, an individual is required to file for apportionment (direct
payment) of an augmented VA benefit if he/she:
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•
Is the spouse or child of a living veteran or the child of a deceased veteran with
a surviving spouse and the veteran or surviving spouse receives VA compensation, pension,
or educational benefits; and
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•
Does not reside with the designated beneficiary, (i.e., the veteran or the veteran's
surviving spouse); and
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•
Has not been denied apportionment since living apart from the designated beneficiary.
NOTE: Dependents who are receiving a VA benefit by apportionment do not receive automatic
cost-of-living adjustments. You are not required to refer these individuals to the
VA to request an increase.