INSTRUCTIONS
FOR STATEMENT OF DEPENDENCY OF PARENT(S)
VA FORM 21-509
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
indicating the item to which the answer applies.
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 1-800-829-4833). You may also contact VA by Internet at
http://www.vba.va.gov/benefits/address.htm.
B. What do I use VA Form 21-509 for?
Use VA Form 21-509 if:
1. You are a veteran whose parents are dependent on 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 “Father” and “Mother” on this form?
The terms "Father" and "Mother" include a natural father or mother, a father or mother through adoption, and a foster father
or mother (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 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 single family dwelling unit and a reasonable lot area and personal things you use everyday like your vehicle, clothing,
and fniture. 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.
21-509
VA FORM
DEC 2010
EXISTING STOCKS OF VA FORM 21-509, JUN 2004,
WILL BE USED.
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).
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 obligation to respond 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.
The term "income" means payments and benefits received from sources such as:
VA FORM 21-509, DEC 2010
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 http: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.
Important - Please read the attached instructions before completing this form.
VA FORM
DEC 2010
21-509
OMB Approved No. 2900-0089
Respondent Burden: 30 minutes
STATEMENT OF DEPENDENCY OF PARENT(S)
1. FIRST NAME - MIDDLE NAME - LAST NAME OF VETERAN
2. VA FILE NUMBER
3A. FULL NAME OF VETERAN'S MOTHER 3B. DATE OF BIRTH
(Mo, day, yr.)
4A. FULL NAME OF VETERAN'S FATHER
OWNER
A.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
(Include location of real property)
4B. DATE OF BIRTH
(Mo, day, yr.)
B.
PRESENT
MARKET VALUE
C.
ENCUMBRANCE
ON PROPERTY
VETERAN'S
MOTHER
VETERAN'S
FATHER
PRESENT
SPOUSE
OF MOTHER
OR FATHER
MEMBER
OF
FAMILY
A.
SOURCE FROM WHICH INCOME IS RECEIVED
B.
INCOME FOR LATEST
CALENDAR MONTH
FROM EACH SOURCE
C.
TOTAL FOR
12 MONTHS
VETERAN'S
MOTHER
VETERAN'S
FATHER
$
$
PRESENT
SPOUSE
OF MOTHER
OR FATHER
6. INCOME
5. NET WORTH
$
$
3C. SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER
EXISTING STOCKS OF VA FORM 21-509, JUN 2004,
WILL BE USED.
4C. SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER
7A. TYPE OF EXPENSE (List separately)
(If "YES," complete Items 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D)
11A. DATE
9B. VETERANS ONLY - ARE THERE ANY PERSONS LIVING IN YOUR PARENT(S)' HOUSEHOLD DEPENDENT SOLELY UPON YOU FOR SUPPORT?
11B. SIGNATURE OF MOTHER
(If "YES," complete Items 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D)
11C. ADDRESS OF MOTHER
12A. DATE
12C. ADDRESS OF FATHER
14A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS 14B. ADDRESS OF WITNESS
15A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS
13A. DATE
13C. ADDRESS OF VETERAN
10D. REASON FOR DEPENDENCY
10C. RELATION-
SHIP TO
PARENT(S)
10A. NAME OF DEPENDENT PERSONS
7C. TOTAL FOR
12 MONTHS
7B. EXPENSES FOR
LAST CALENDAR MONTH
8. IF EXPENSES EXCEED INCOME, STATE FROM WHAT SOURCE SUCH EXPENSES ARE MET
EXPENSES OF PARENT(S) (Including spouse if remarried)
INFORMATION RELATING TO PERSONS SOLELY DEPENDENT UPON PARENT(S) (If additional space is needed use separate sheet)
I CERTIFY THAT the following statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
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.
INSTRUCTIONS - Enter below the expenses 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.
9A. PARENTS ONLY - ARE THERE ANY PERSONS LIVING IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD DEPENDENT SOLELY UPON YOU FOR SUPPORT?
13B. SIGNATURE OF VETERAN
11D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER 11E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER
12D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER
13D. DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER
12E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER
13E. EVENING PHONE NUMBER
15B. ADDRESS OF WITNESS
$ $
10B. DATE
OF BIRTH
YES
NO
NO
YES
12B. SIGNATURE OF FATHER
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.
VA FORM 21-509, DEC 2010