VA Form 21-674b

School Attendance Report / Helpless Child Supplement

DependentsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

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.

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.

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

1 field

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.

Example

(legal name and VA file number)

Common mistakes

Omitting VA File Number - form cannot be routed to your award file.

Section II - Child Identification

1 field

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.

Example

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

1 field · 1 citation

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.

Example

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 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.

Section IV - Signature

1 field

Block 13Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Certifies accuracy under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to attach physician statement - this is the core evidence; the form alone is not sufficient.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.52 - When an otherwise-invalid marriage is deemed valid for VA benefit purposes (e.g., a surviving spouse who entered the marriage in good faith). (Dependent-child definitions are at 3.57.)

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).

VA Form 21-674b

School Attendance Report / Helpless Child Supplement

DependentsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

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.

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.

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

1 field

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.

Example

(legal name and VA file number)

Common mistakes

Omitting VA File Number - form cannot be routed to your award file.

Section II - Child Identification

1 field

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.

Example

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

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 8-12Diagnosis, date of onset, and functional limitations

Example

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 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.

Section IV - Signature

1 field

Block 13Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Certifies accuracy under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to attach physician statement - this is the core evidence; the form alone is not sufficient.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.52 - When an otherwise-invalid marriage is deemed valid for VA benefit purposes (e.g., a surviving spouse who entered the marriage in good faith). (Dependent-child definitions are at 3.57.)

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).

VA Form 21-674b

School Attendance Report / Helpless Child Supplement

DependentsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

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.

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.

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

1 field

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.

Example

(legal name and VA file number)

Common mistakes

Omitting VA File Number - form cannot be routed to your award file.

Section II - Child Identification

1 field

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.

Example

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

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 8-12Diagnosis, date of onset, and functional limitations

Example

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 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.

Section IV - Signature

1 field

Block 13Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Certifies accuracy under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to attach physician statement - this is the core evidence; the form alone is not sufficient.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.52 - When an otherwise-invalid marriage is deemed valid for VA benefit purposes (e.g., a surviving spouse who entered the marriage in good faith). (Dependent-child definitions are at 3.57.)

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).

VA Form 21-674b

School Attendance Report / Helpless Child Supplement

DependentsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

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.

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.

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

1 field

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.

Example

(legal name and VA file number)

Common mistakes

Omitting VA File Number - form cannot be routed to your award file.

Section II - Child Identification

1 field

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.

Example

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

1 field · 1 citation

Blocks 8-12Diagnosis, date of onset, and functional limitations

Example

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 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.

Section IV - Signature

1 field

Block 13Veteran signature and datePII

Sign and date. Certifies accuracy under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to attach physician statement - this is the core evidence; the form alone is not sufficient.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.52 - When an otherwise-invalid marriage is deemed valid for VA benefit purposes (e.g., a surviving spouse who entered the marriage in good faith). (Dependent-child definitions are at 3.57.)

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).