Form VA Form 21P-509 VA Form 21P-509 Statement of Dependency of Parent(s)

INSTRUCTIONS
FOR STATEMENT OF DEPENDENCY OF PARENT(S)
VA FORM 21P-509
Note: Read very carefully, detach, and keep these instructions for your reference. Print all answers clearly. If an
answer is "none" or "0," write that. Your answer to every question is important to help us complete your claim.
If you do not know the answer, write "unknown." If additional space is necessary, please attach a separate sheet
with your answer, and indicate the item to which the answer implies.
A. How can I contact VA if I have questions?
If you have questions about this form, how to fill it out, or about benefits, contact your nearest VA regional office. You
can locate the address of the nearest regional office in your telephone book blue pages under "United States Government,
Veterans" or call 1-800-827-1000 (Hearing Impaired TDD line 711). You may also contact VA by Internet at
http://www.vba.va.gov/benefits/address.htm.
B. What do I use VA Form 21P-509 for?
Use VA Form 21P-509 if:
1. You are a veteran whose parents are dependent on you for support, and you are:

•
•

Receiving compensation benefits based on a 30 percent or higher service-connected disability, or
Receiving VA educational benefits based on enrollment of 1/2 time or more.

OR
2. You are the parent of a deceased veteran who:

•
•

Died on active duty or as a result of service-connected injuries or disease prior to January 1, 1957, or
Died on or after May 1, 1957, and before January 1, 1972, while a waiver of premiums of his/her
U.S. Government Life Insurance was in effect.

C. What is meant by “Parent” on this form?
The term "Parent" includes a natural parent, a parent through adoption, and a foster parent (including stepparents who
stood in the relationship of parent to the veteran).
Specific Instructions
Net Worth of Parent(s) (Items 5A, 5B, and 5C)
Report the current value of all the interest and rights you (the parent(s)) have in any kind of property. This includes real
estate, stocks, bonds and the amount of bank deposits, savings and loan accounts, and cash on hand. However, net worth
does not include your (the parent(s)) single family dwelling unit, reasonable lot area, and personal things you use every
day like your vehicle, clothing, and furniture. If property is owned jointly by yourself and your spouse, report one-half of
the total value held jointly for each of you.
Income of Parent(s) (Items 6A, 6B, and 6C)
Report all income received for the 12 month period and for the calendar month immediately preceding the date of
completing this form, and the sources of income.

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21P-509

SUPERSEDES VA FORM 21P-509, JAN 2018,
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED.

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The term "income" means payments and benefits received from sources such as:
• Wages or salary (before any deductions) earned by all members of the parent(s)' household, including minors

• Actual contributions to the family by adult members outside of the household
• Social Security benefits, retirement pay, allotments, and family allowances
• Pension, compensation or insurance benefits (other than those received from the Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Interest and dividends
• Rents, property, business, and farm operations
When reporting net income for a business, farm, etc. attach a separate sheet showing gross income and itemized expenses.
Net income is gross income less the expenses of operating a rental property or a business or farm. Gross income includes
both receipts in cash and the market value of goods or services received in lieu of cash. Expenses include cost of goods sold
(for businesses), normal repairs, taxes, salary or wages of employees, insurance, interest on business debts (but not payment
of principal), supplies purchased, and other similar expenses.
Expenses of Parent(s) (Items 7A, 7B, 7C, and 8)
Report the expenses for the 12 month period and for the calendar month immediately preceding the date of completing this
form. Include expenses for rent (or housing), home repairs, maintenance, clothing, medical care, utilities, groceries, taxes,
etc.
Dependents (Items 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D)
Item 9A is to be completed by the parent(s) of a deceased veteran. Item 9B is to be completed by the veteran. Items
10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are to be completed whenever the parent(s) have dependents residing with the parent(s).
Note: Parent(s) must sign and date the form (Items 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B). A veteran claiming his/her parent(s) as
dependent(s) must also date and sign the form (Items 13A and 13B).
IMPORTANT: If you are certifying that you are married for the purpose of VA benefits, your marriage must be recognized
by the place where you and/or your spouse resided at the time of marriage, or where you and/or your spouse resided when
you filed your claim (or a later date when you became eligible for benefits) (38 U.S.C. § 103(c)). Additional guidance on
when VA recognizes marriages is available at http://www.va.gov/opa/marriage/.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized
under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (i.e., civil or criminal law enforcement,
congressional communications, epidemiological or research studies, the collection of money owed to the United States, litigation in
which the United States is a party or has an interest, the administration of VA programs and delivery of VA benefits, verification of
identity and status, and personnel administration) as identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22/28 Compensation, Pension,
Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA, and published in the Federal Register. Your response is
required to obtain or retain benefits.
Giving us your SSN account information is mandatory. Applicants are required to provide their SSN under Title 38 USC 5101 (c) (1).
VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by Federal
Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect. The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to
determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information that
you furnish may be utilized in computer matching programs with other Federal or state agencies for the purpose of determining your
eligibility to receive VA benefits, as well as to collect any amount owed to the United States by virtue of your participation in any benefit
program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applicants are required to provide their SSN under Title 38 USC 5101 (c)
(1). VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by Federal
Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect. The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to
determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information that
you furnish may be utilized in computer matching programs with other Federal or state agencies for the purpose of determining your
eligibility to receive VA benefits, as well as to collect any amount owed to the United States by virtue of your participation in any benefit
program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine eligibility to benefits for dependent parents. Title 38, United States
Code, allows us to ask for this information. We estimate that you will need an average of 30 minutes to review the instructions, find the
information, and complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is
displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can
be located on the OMB Internet Page at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. If desired, you can call 1-800-827-1000 to get
information on where to send comments or suggestions about this form.
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OMB Approved No. 2900-0089
Respondent Burden: 30 minutes
Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

STATEMENT OF DEPENDENCY OF PARENT(S)
Important - Please read the attached instructions before completing this form.
1. FIRST NAME - MIDDLE NAME - LAST NAME OF VETERAN
3A. FULL NAME OF VETERAN'S PARENT

2. VA FILE NUMBER

3B. DATE OF BIRTH

4A. FULL NAME OF VETERAN'S PARENT

(Mo, day, yr.)

3C. SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER

4B. DATE OF BIRTH

(Mo, day, yr.)

4C. SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER

5. NET WORTH
OWNER

A.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY (Include

location of real property)

B.
PRESENT
MARKET VALUE

C.
ENCUMBRANCE
ON PROPERTY

B.
INCOME FOR LATEST
CALENDAR MONTH
FROM EACH SOURCE

C.
TOTAL FOR
12 MONTHS

(Dollar amount)

(Dollar amount)

PARENT

PARENT

PRESENT SPOUSE
OF PARENT

6. INCOME
MEMBER
OF
FAMILY

A.
SOURCE FROM WHICH INCOME IS RECEIVED

(Dollar amount)

(Dollar amount)

VETERAN'S
PARENT

VETERAN'S
PARENT

PRESENT SPOUSE
OF PARENT

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SUPERSEDES VA FORM 21P-509, JAN 2018,
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EXPENSES OF PARENT(S) (Including spouse if remarried)
INSTRUCTIONS - Enter below the expenses for you (the parent(s), including if remarried) for the 12 month period and for the calendar month immediately preceding
the date of completing this form, and the purposes for which paid out. Include expenses for rent (or housing), home repairs, maintenance, clothing, medical care, utilities,
groceries, taxes, etc.
7B. EXPENSES FOR
LAST CALENDAR
MONTH

7A. TYPE OF EXPENSE (List separately)

(Dollar amount)

7C. TOTAL FOR
12 MONTHS

(Dollar amount)

8. IF EXPENSES EXCEED INCOME, STATE FROM WHAT SOURCE SUCH EXPENSES ARE MET

9A. PARENTS ONLY - ARE THERE ANY PERSONS LIVING IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD DEPENDENT SOLELY UPON YOU FOR SUPPORT?
YES

NO

(If "YES," complete Items 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D)

9B. VETERANS ONLY - ARE THERE ANY PERSONS LIVING IN YOUR PARENT(S)' HOUSEHOLD DEPENDENT SOLELY UPON YOU FOR SUPPORT?
YES

NO

(If "YES," complete Items 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D)

INFORMATION RELATING TO PERSONS SOLELY DEPENDENT UPON PARENT(S) (If additional space is needed use separate sheet)
10A. NAME OF DEPENDENT PERSONS

10C.
RELATIONSHIP
TO PARENT(S)

10B.
DATE OF BIRTH

10D. REASON FOR DEPENDENCY

I CERTIFY THAT the preceding statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
11A. DATE
11C. ADDRESS OF MOTHER
11B. SIGNATURE OF PARENT (Sign in ink)
11D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER

11E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER

12A. DATE

12B. SIGNATURE OF PARENT (Sign in ink)

12D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER

12E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER

13A. DATE

13B. SIGNATURE OF VETERAN (Sign in ink)

13D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER

13E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER

12C. ADDRESS OF FATHER

13C. ADDRESS OF VETERAN

WITNESSES - If you sign by (X), your mark must be witnessed by two persons who know you personally and the signature and address of the witnesses
must be shown.
14A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS (Sign in ink)

14B. ADDRESS OF WITNESS

15A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS (Sign in ink)

15B. ADDRESS OF WITNESS

PENALTY - The law provides severe penalties, which include fine or imprisonment, or both, for the willful submission of any statement or evidence of a material fact,
knowing it to be false, or for the fraudulent acceptance of any payment to which you are not entitled.

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