What documents are needed to have my mother added as a dependent in the Army?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 10:47:33 -0500

I'm not sure if making a parent a dependent puts them on DEERS/Tricare but I've been trying to elevate my mother's physical, emotional and mental well-being as a progress in my career. If she's on my DEERS does that mean she has to live with me? If she lives with me does that mean I'm limited on where I can get stationed? She doesn't have a driver's license because of some knee issues that won't allow her to stay in a car long enough to pass a driver's test...Will this potentially be a problem as far as work as concerned since she can't really go anywhere without car? Thank you in advance for your insight.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 1 at 2023 11:28 AM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 11:28:47 -0500

To make a parent a dependent, the key item is that you provide more than 50% of the financial support of the individual. They don't necessarily have to be living with you, as long as you are paying for their support, housing, upkeep, care, etc.. (again, more than 50%). The military refers to this commonly as establishing 'secondary dependency' for someone.

DFAS is the agency that everything needs to go through. Once they have granted dependency status, then you can enter them into DEERS.

Regarding the impact of her on where you can be stationed and such. Assuming she's granted status as a dependent, then you have to take care of her. If she has special medical needs, she needs to be enrolled in EFMP to ensure those needs can be addressed where you are stationed.

Could her driving situation be an impact for you? That's for you to answer. If she needs transportation to somewhere while you're at work, it will be your responsibility (again, she's your dependent) to ensure she gets where she needs to go.

Since she's a senior citizen (I assume), there are usually a lot of different programs in your county or state that might be able to help, especially with transportation. Start off doing an internet search for 'free transportation elderly' and add your county, city, state, etc. Check out your state's department of aging to see what resources and links they have.
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* https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/secondarydependency/sdc/
* https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/SecondaryDependency/secondarydependency_Army/
* https://www.dfas.mil/Portals/98/181101-D-IM476-1010%20ARMYLOCO%20PARENTIS.pdf
* https://home.army.mil/monterey/application/files/5515/4955/2846/How_to_Make_a_Relative_a_Military_Dependant.pdf

Defense Finance and Accounting Service > MilitaryMembers > SecondaryDependency > SDC

The official website of the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2023 11:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 11:48:53 -0500

There are stiff rules to adding an adult as a dependent. The basic requirement is that you have to show that you are providing at least 50% of your parents financial needs. As in, you are paying at least half of all their bills, for at least six months.

Once you do get your parent listed as a dependent, it's your responsibility to provide for them financially. They don't have to live with you, but it's going to be pretty hard to pay for your own home and a separate one for your parent, as well as all your utilities and theirs. Especially as a junior enlisted Soldier.

The Army doesn't care if your dependents can drive or not, that's for you to figure out as long as it doesn't interfere with your work. Your mother will probably need to be enrolled in EFMP, EFMP will affect where you can be stationed. However, you can still be assigned to a dependent restricted tour, like Korea, and she would have to take care of herself while you're away.

Response by PO3 Rosalind Robbins made Jan 1 at 2023 9:00 PM

PO3 Rosalind Robbins — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 21:00:58 -0500

Hey Mate,
The requirements have changed over the years. Before 1996, dependent parents could be seen for medical at any military medical center, but with the outsourcing sourcing of some medical departments/procedures, some military medical facilities only see active duty. Dependent parents still have access to the commissary and exchange. I'm not sure if Tricare requirements have changed to allow DP's, but they didn't prior to 2000. If approved, I do recommend you maintain an expense account or send an allotment to show the 50% contribution. I also recommend keeping this information when completing your VA benefits. Hope this was helpful.

ocal VA medical