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Army Secondary Dependency Claim:

Parents (Including Step Parents & Parent by Adoption) DD Form 137-3 

Application Assistance

When filling out the DD Form 137-3 please include the following documentation as required by 

regulations. Failure to do so will result in a rejected application and a delayed result of the

approval/denial process. NOTE: Only copies of the below documentation need to be submitted.

1. Service Member’s Birth Certificate: NOTE: This is required with every initial and recertification 

application submission for SDC. Service member’s birth certificate showing the parent(s) names. If 

the names on the birth certificate are different from the DD Form 137-3, name change documents 

such as marriage licenses, divorce decrees, or court orders changing a name are also required. See 

below on foreign documentation:

o Foreign documentation: Additional requirements are applied toward the verification of foreign 

eligibility documentation submitted to support enrollment of a dependent, including: 

• A full English language translation, which the translator has certified as complete and 

accurate, and the translator's certification of competency to translate from the foreign

language into English, in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b) (3). Translation must be completed 

by a translator that is not the member or dependent and is authorized to translate 

documents.

• A written Judge Advocate General or local SJA opinion confirming use of the eligibility

documentation if the uniformed service member is stationed overseas. 

• Documentation that attests to the genuineness of the signature and seal, or the position of 

the foreign official who executed, issued, or certified the foreign documentation being 

presented to substantiate the dependency relationship to the sponsor.

2. Proof of Support: NOTE: If applicable, this is required with every initial and recertification 

application submission for SDC. This applies if the dependent does NOT reside in the same 

household as the service member or if the home the dependent and member live in together 

is not owned or rented by the member. If the dependent resides with the service member or 

their spouse in a home owned or rented by the service member then you can skip this 

documentation. If they do not see the following list for acceptable proof of support: (NOTE:

Cash contributions or purchase receipts are NOT acceptable forms of proof of support)

o AD (discretionary) allotment for the claimed dependent or claimed dependent’s courtappointed custodian. A copy of your current LES includes this information.

o Canceled checks (front & back) to the claimed dependent or claimed dependent’s courtappointed custodian.

o Money order receipts to the claimed dependent or claimed dependent’s court- appointed 

custodian.

o Electronic transfers made out to claimed dependent or claimed dependent’s court- appointed 

custodian.

o Copies of bills paid on behalf of the dependent may also be used along with proof of payment.
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o If your dependent does not reside with you but lives in a home owned/rented by you, a 

copy of mortgage statement or rental agreement may also be used.

o Joint accounts where the member is on the dependent’s account that is receiving the funds 

is permitted but we must have both the account providing the funds and the account 

receiving the funds along with all names on both and be able to see all transactions from 

and to each account.

3. Verification of Income: If the dependent has income this is required with every initial and 

recertification application submission to SDC. Income verification for the dependent is the ONLY 

income verification that is required. The Service Member must provide any proof of income 

received by the dependent. The verification includes: 

o The most current pay stub if they are currently employed.

o If the dependent just started their job we need a letter or statement from the employer stating 

their start date.

o If they stopped working within the last 12 months then a letter or statement from the employer 

stating when employment ended is required. 

o If the letter or statement does not state how/why the employment ended then a letter from 

unemployment stating the weekly/monthly benefit amount or that they are not eligible is also 

required.

o If the dependent is employed then their most current tax return showing the amount refunded or 

owed must also be submitted. 

o State or federal aid with current dated documentation of the benefit amount the dependent(s) 

receive.

o If applicable a current letter from the Social Security Administration (aged 60/62 years or older) 

stating the monthly benefit amount received for each month of the CURRENT year. 

• If the parent is the age of 60 or older and a widow or widower a letter from SSA stating they 

are not receiving benefits on behalf of their deceased spouse is required or stating the 

monthly benefit amount they receive. All pages of the SSA letter should be submitted.

• If the parent is the age of 62 or older, widow/widower or not, a letter from SSA is required 

stating they are not receiving any benefits or stating the monthly benefit amount they 

receive. All pages of the SSA letter should be submitted.

• If the parent is at or past the age of eligibility for full benefits a letter from SSA stating they 

are not receiving any benefits and will not ever be eligible for themselves or deceased spouse 

(if applicable) is required.

o Funds provided to the dependent by another person that is not the member or member’s spouse.

• For funds that are provided to the dependent by someone other than the member or 

member’s spouse a signed, dated, and notarized statement from that person stating how 

much they provide and how often they provide it is required. The dependent must also sign 

and date this but their signature does not have to be notarized.
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o Foreign Pension.

• If the parent’s country of origin is not in the United States and if the parent is the age of 60 or 

older and a widow or widower then a foreign pension letter from their home country stating 

they are not receiving benefits on behalf of their deceased spouse is required or stating the 

monthly amount they receive. All pages of the foreign pension letter should be submitted.

• If the parent is the age of 62 or older, widow/widower or not, then a foreign pension letter 

from their home country is required stating they are not receiving any benefits or stating the 

monthly amount they receive. All pages of the foreign pension letter should be submitted.

• If the parent is at or past the age of eligibility for full benefits a foreign pension letter from 

their home country stating they are not receiving any benefits and will not ever be eligible for 

themselves or a deceased spouse (if applicable) is required. 

• NOTE: DFAS uses the SSA ages and years for full eligibility for all countries as program 

requirements are not available for processing Secondary Dependency claims. If pension 

requirements are different, please provide that information.
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Help with completing DD Form 137-3

• Include all supporting documents listed that apply and are required.

• All forms must be filled out completely! If a block does not apply, put “N/A” – failure to do so 

will result in the application being returned without action. If there are more boxes in a section 

than information you have to provide the remaining boxes cannot be left empty. They must be 

filled with N/A or 0.00. (Example page 3 section 5: If only 2 people live in the home then all of 

the information blocks for them must be completed or filled with N/A and/or 0.00. The 

remaining blanks after the 2 people are listed must also be filled with N/A and/or 0.00.

• Mark “X” for BAH, USIP, &/or Travel in section 1 on page 1 to identify what you are applying for.

• Mark “X” (Yes or No) yes for first application – If no, give the date of last application 

(this can be estimated if the date is unknown).

• Status (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired) AND branch of service – both 

must be selected. NOTE: If the member is retired their dependents are only eligible 

for USIP.

• Service Member’s Residence address – where the service member lives. Also, provide a mailing

address if different from the physical address. 

• Service Member’s Military address – if they are still active this must be completed. Their 

military address cannot be the same as their mailing/residence. If the member is retired mark 

N/A.

• Phone – identify as commercial or DSN.

• Email address, if available.

• Claimed dependent’s name and address of employer – Answer completely.

• Claimed dependent is married – If the parent is married then the spouse’s information must still 

be listed and all blanks must be completed. If they are not being claimed they do not sign page 5.

• Claimed parent and his/her spouse live apart – Provide complete reason and documentation 

that parent’s spouse does not support your claimed parent.

• List both the name and address of the owner of the dwelling where the claimed dependent 

resides. If the home is rented the owner cannot be the member or the dependent, it must be 

the name of the person or company that owns the home they are renting and the address for 

that person or company.

• Persons are living where claimed dependent lives – List all residing in that household including 

the claimed dependent and member.

• FRV (Fair Market Value) – If the parent lives in the member’s home that is owned by the member 

FRV must be used, even if there is a mortgage. Please refer to the instructions on page 3 section 6 

of the 137. If FRV is used they must state where they obtained the FRV or provide the documents 

they used to get that amount. If FRV is used and the parent and member live in someone else’s 

home proof of no mortgage is required. If the parent lives in their own home mortgage free proof 

of no mortgage is required and NONE is written in the amount box in section 6 letter A. If there is a 

mortgage and FRV is used due to the requirement the mortgage or deed are still required to show 

who is responsible for that mortgage/deed.
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• Rent/Lease – If the home is rented or leased a copy of the rental or lease agreement is required 

showing who signed as responsible paying parties, the monthly amount paid, and if the home is 

subsidized housing or not.

• Mortgage – If the mortgage is claimed due to the requirement of it being the dependent’s home 

or someone else’s home a copy of the mortgage statement showing the monthly payment and 

escrow if paid in mortgage is required.

• Household expenses – All expenses for the entire household is a requirement for the claimed 

dependent’s residence, not just the claimed dependent’s share regardless of who pays for the 

expenses. (See expenses breakdown for information specific to each expense type.)

• Utilities – Always itemize the utilities by listing the utilities claimed and the monthly amount for 

each on page 5 of the 137 and for each utility that is over $200 per month a current bill with dates 

supporting the expense is required.

• Household Other – Always itemize household other expenses by listing the items claimed and the 

monthly amount for each on page 5 of the 137 and for each expense that is over $200 per month a 

current bill or receipt with dates supporting the expense is required.

• Personal expenses – List all expenses for the claimed dependent only, regardless of who pays for 

them. (See expenses breakdown for information specific to each expense type.)

• USIP (Unformed Services Identification and Privileges Card) – If there is a USIP expense claimed 

that must be supported by EOBs from Tricare, pharmacy statements showing what Tricare paid, a 

statement from the doctor(s) showing what was billed and what Tricare paid, and/or a statement 

from the military medical installation.

• Transportation – Always itemize the transportation expense by listing the items claimed and the 

monthly amount for each on page 5 of the 137 and for each expense that is over $200 per month a 

current bill or receipt with dates supporting the expense is required.

• Vehicle Payment – If a vehicle payment is claimed proof of the vehicle payment through the most 

current loan statement for the car along with a copy of the vehicle’s registration is required. If the 

dependent is not listed on the registration then the car payment cannot be claimed.

• School – If there are any school expenses either for the parent or a dependent of the parent listed 

then a current dated bill is required to support those expenses. Loans due to a school bill cannot 

be used. 

• Personal Other – Always itemize personal other expenses by listing the items claimed and the 

monthly amount for each on page 5 of the 137 and for each expense that is over $200 per month a 

current bill or receipt with dates supporting the expense is required.

• Income – List all income and monetary support received by dependent from any source other 

than from yourself.

• Remarks – Identify the block number from the form that the comment relates to. If you are 

requesting BAH state the start date that you request in this block as well and be sure all supporting 

documents support this date also.
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• Signatures/Notaries – make sure all signatures are completed. All notary blocks must be 

notarized. Failure to have the documents notarized will result in the return of the application

without action. The notary signature relates to the name of the dependent or guardian. The 

member must also sign and date at the bottom. If a POA signs for the parent then a medical 

statement from their doctor stating why they cannot sign is required.

NOTE: All foreign documents must be translated to English.

Avoid common mistakes

• An Illegible or incomplete application package

o Type or print, legibly, on all forms.

o Ensure you read the printed instructions carefully and thoroughly.

o All blocks on the various forms must be completed or marked “N/A” to ensure 

nothing is missed.

o All foreign documents must be translated to English.

• Missing forms/documentation

o Proof of member’s support – If applicable to your situation then evidence of support is 

required. A dependent support allotment, canceled checks, money order receipts,

electronic transfer receipts, etc. are acceptable proof of support. See above for full 

details.

o Unacceptable documents – For proof ofsupport: ATM withdrawal receipts, bank 

statements showing withdrawals, or purchase receipts.

o Relationship documents – Member’s birth certificate and all name change 

documents supporting different names than what are listed on the member’s birth 

certificate to what is on the 137 such as marriage licenses, divorce decrees, or court 

orders changing a name.

o Medical statement – NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED: If the parent is ill or incapable of 

caring for themselves it is an option to include a medical statement that states all 

Activities of Daily living the parent cannot do at all and/or requires assistance with as 

this COULD assist with your application. This IS required if the parent CANNOT sign the 

form for themselves. The statement must be signed by a licensed medical doctor, 

psychologist, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant only.
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ALL DOCUMENTATION SUBMISSIONS:

All Secondary Dependence Claims packages can be submitted in only via two ways. Note: No fax or email is

accepted.

1. Online submission through the www.dfas.mil claims module. (Direct link to make a ticket is: 

https://corpweb1.dfas.mil/askDFAS/custMain.action?mid=5340. This will require documents 

to be scanned onto the computer and then uploaded to the ticket online. After a ticket is 

created, you will be emailed your ticket number for reference and updates on your 

application. This is the preferred method.

2. By Mail: All packages may be sent via mail to the address below: 

Attention ARMY SECONDARY DEPENDENCY TEAM

8899 East 56th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46249.