If you wear a prosthetic, use special medicine for a skin condition, or rely on an orthopedic device due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for a VA clothing allowance. This allowance helps offset the cost of replacing clothing damaged by these devices or medications. Here’s what you need to know:
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must have applied for service-connected disability and be receiving compensation.
- At least one of the following must be true:
- You use more than one prosthetic or orthopedic device.
- You require more than one skin medicine.
- Your device or medicine affects more than one type of clothing.
Payment Information:
- The current clothing allowance rate is $795.21.
- To receive a yearly payment, you must apply by August 1 of the applicable year.
- Permanent damages to clothing qualify; removable stains, for example, do not.
- Multiple payments are possible if you have more than one qualifying device that has damaged clothing.
Application Process:
- Fill out the Annual VA Clothing Allowance form (VA form -10-8678).
- Submit the form to your prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.
- Application submission methods include mailing, faxing, or delivering to your local VA Hospital or Clinic.
- Do not email your application.
Documentation Needed:
- Gather medical records and supporting documents.
- Include details about the damaged clothing, your disability, issuance date of the device or medicine, and how it has impacted your life.
Payment Schedule:
- Most payments are processed between September 1 and October 31 of the current year.
Vehicle Allowance:
- If you have lost a limb or have a severe physical disability, you might qualify for a one-time vehicle allowance to assist in purchasing a specially equipped vehicle.
- The one-time payment is capped at $21,058.69.
In conclusion, after applying for VA compensation, if service-connected prosthetics or medications damage your clothing, you may be eligible for a clothing allowance. This annual benefit aims to alleviate the financial burden of replacing clothing affected by your disability-related devices or medications.
