Can I add my mother as a dependent if I am financially providing for her?

2020-05-23T02:40:30-04:00

Hello everyone,

I've been asking some of the members in my chain of command in my unit/battalion and I'm getting mixed info on this topic. To keep the story short, I have a recently divorced mother who I am financially providing for. We live in separate states and I'm headed out for a deployment. When I get back stateside or maybe I can start the process while down-range but, is there a way that I can add my mother as a dependent? If so, who do I need to get in contact with or talk to so I can start this process?

Thanks for the help!!

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 23 at 2020 3:48 AM

2020-05-23T03:48:00-04:00

How can I make my parent a dependent?
To seek dependent status for an adult family member, such as a father, mother, father-in-law, motherin-law, stepparent, or someone in loco parentis, DFAS will apply a financial test to determine
whether the family member receives over half of his/her income from the Servicemember. You must
submit the Servicemember’s or spouse’s birth certificate and proof of the relationship, DD Forms
137-3 and 1172 to show financial dependency, and proof of the family member’s identity to DFAS.
For someone loco parentis, this will include affidavits that that person stood in a parental capacity for
at least five years prior to the Servicemember (or spouse’s) 21st birthday.

If I have other questions, what should I do?
For additional information and points of contact, you may visit the DFAS website at
http://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/secondarydependency.html
For appointments concerning dependents and other personal legal matters, call the Legal
Assistance Branch of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate located at Building 358, Buffalo
Soldier Trail, Defense Language Institute, Presidion of Monterey [login to see] or DSN 768-
5085).

Defense Finance and Accounting Service MilitaryMembers payentitlements

The official website of the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS)

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 23 at 2020 1:32 PM

2020-05-23T13:32:15-04:00

Google DFAS secondary dependent. It will provide you information. There is also a service specific link to tell you how to do this with the help of your chain of command. Your case will be evaluated on its own circumstances so it's not a clear cut yes or no. Gather the documents and do the research.

This question has been asked and answered on RP hundreds of times. Start in the search box.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 23 at 2020 2:00 PM

2020-05-23T14:00:15-04:00

Yes

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2020 2:09 PM

2020-05-23T14:09:25-04:00

RallyPoint required individuals to use their real names. Initials, Alias, Joint names, Email addresses, or nick names are not allowed. Please update your name to conform to the Terms of Service.

Response by COL David Turk made May 24 at 2020 8:39 AM

2020-05-24T08:39:52-04:00

A tangential comment. I’m not a tax lawyer or specialist, but it’s my understanding that if you are successful in claiming your mother as a dependent, that would also apply to your tax return. She could then no longer claim herself. Verify this with a tax specialist, and if true, make sure your mother understands and agrees to this course of action.