As a barracks soldier, how should I go about claiming my brother as a dependent?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2020 16:58:15 -0400

My brother has been placed in foster care for one reason or another and I am going through the process to secure guardianship of his as a ward of court. I've been in touch with child protective services from my home state (Wisconsin) and trying to organize things here in Colorado. The issue I am running into is this: the forms that I need to fill out, the DD form 1172 and DD form 137-7, are all asking for my current address and my brothers current address. I currently live in the barracks as I am a single soldier and he is currently in foster care with no permanent address. Has anyone encountered something like this before and could offer any advice? Thank you.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made May 24 at 2020 6:57 PM

1SG Charles Hunter — Sun, 24 May 2020 18:57:25 -0400

Wow. Your brother will not be able to live with you in the barracks. (Yeah, I know you already know that.) Before your commander authorizes you to live in off-post rental housing (or you are assigned on-post family quarters), you will need to have approved custody of your brother. Not knowing your brother's age or whether he has behavior issues, I can't speculate on your command's support of your custodial application. One reason the child protective services want to know your current address is to evaluate the appropriateness of his living arrangements.
Presuming you get custody and have adequate quarters for the two of you, you will still need a family care plan approved by your commander. Think field exercises and possible deployment. Consult with your chain of command and with the legal office.
Good luck.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 24 at 2020 9:28 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 24 May 2020 21:28:57 -0400

It looks like you are on your way so far.
https://home.army.mil/monterey/application/files/5515/4955/2846/How_to_Make_a_Relative_a_Military_Dependant.pdf

I would work with the chain of command for an Exception to Policy to leave the barracks and either draw BAH or apply for on post housing. Since this is all coming fast, perhaps rent a furnished apartment. DA Form 5960 starts, stops, and verifies BAH. See if your installation has a deposit waiver program.

Once you have your brother as a dependent you will need to have a family care plan for him.

You'll need to have a will that includes his disposition.

Enroll him in TRICARE once he is in DEERS.

How_to_Make_a_Relative_a_Military_Dependant.pdf