VA Form 21-674b
School Attendance Report / Helpless Child Supplement
Your adult child has a permanent physical or mental disability that started before they turned 18, making them permanently dependent on others for daily care.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Keeping Your Award Current
- Estimated time
- 20-40 minutes plus time to gather medical documentation.
- When to file
- When the child approaches 18 and you believe they meet the helpless child criteria. Medical evidence must accompany this form.
Official VA form page: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/
Gather before you start
- ▸Child's full name, SSN, DOB
- ▸Diagnosis and onset date (must be before age 18)
- ▸Medical records documenting the incapacity
- ▸Doctor's opinion that the incapacity is permanent and started before age 18
- ▸Description of how the condition prevents the child from self-support
Attach with the form
- ▸Medical records documenting the diagnosis and onset before age 18
- ▸Physician's statement confirming permanent incapacity and pre-18 onset
Section I - Veteran Identification
Blocks 1-3Veteran name, SSN, VA File NumberPII
Match your existing VA award records. The file number is on any VA compensation or pension letter.
(legal name and VA file number)
Common mistakes
- ×Omitting VA File Number - form cannot be routed to your award file.
Section II - Child Identification
Blocks 4-7Child full legal name, SSN, DOB, current agePII
Use the child's full legal name and Social Security number. Include their current age so VA can confirm the helpless child criteria apply.
e.g., Thomas William Smith, SSN: 456-78-9012, DOB: 08/14/1995, age 30
Common mistakes
- ×Filing for incapacity that started after age 18 - helpless child status requires onset before age 18.
Section III - Nature of Incapacity
Blocks 8-12Diagnosis, date of onset, and functional limitations
Describe the specific diagnosis, when it first manifested (must be before age 18), and how it prevents the child from being self-supporting. Examples: "Intellectual disability diagnosed at birth - unable to live independently, cannot maintain employment, requires daily assistance with personal care." Medical records and a physician statement confirming these facts must be attached.
e.g., Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), onset at birth 08/14/1995. Child requires full-time care, cannot perform activities of daily living independently, has never been able to maintain employment due to cognitive limitations. Dr. Jones confirms permanent incapacity.
Common mistakes
- ×Not documenting that the incapacity started before age 18 - this is the key eligibility criterion.
- ×Vague descriptions ("has disabilities") without specifying functional limitations - VA raters need to evaluate "unable to be self-supporting."
- ×Failing to attach medical records and physician statement - VA will request them separately and delay the determination.
Authority
- 38 CFR 3.52 - Defines dependent children including biological, adopted, stepchildren, and helpless adult children.
- 38 CFR 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.
Section IV - Signature
Block 13Veteran signature and datePII
Sign and date. Certifies accuracy under penalty of perjury.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Forgetting to attach physician statement - this is the core evidence; the form alone is not sufficient.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 3.52 - Defines dependent children including biological, adopted, stepchildren, and helpless adult children.
- 38 CFR 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.
- 38 USC 1115 - Additional monthly compensation for veteran-rated 30%+ with qualifying dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents).