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 they receive it directly.
Therefore, to get SSI, an individual is required to file for apportionment (direct
payment) of an augmented VA benefit if they:
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Are 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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Do not reside with the designated beneficiary, (i.e., the veteran or the veteran's
surviving spouse); and
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Have 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.