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Army Secondary Dependency Claim:

Incapacitated Child DD Form 137-5 Application Assistance

When filling out the DD Form 197-5 form 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.

**Please Note: If the service member is deceased, then you will fill out expenses at the time of 

death. If approved, then you will never have to reapply again.**

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

application submission for SDC.) Incapacitated child’s birth certificate showing parent’s 

names. If the child is a step child to the member then the member’s marriage license to 

the child’s parent is also required to prove the relationship. If the names on the birth 

certificate are different from the DD Form 137-5 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 provided by a translator other than the individual presenting the 

document.

• 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. Medical Sufficiency Statement: (NOTE: This is required with every initial and

recertification application submission for SDC.) Medical statement signed by a medical 

doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist stating verbatim (1) that the 

claimed dependent is incapable of self-support due to his/her condition, (2) age at which 

condition was first diagnosed or began, (3) whether or not condition and incapability of

self-support is permanent, and the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) that the child requires 

assistance with or cannot do at all.
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3. 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 courtappointed custodian.

o Electronic transfers made out to claimed dependent or claimed dependent’s courtappointed custodian.

o Copies of bills paid on behalf of the dependent may also be used along with proof of 

payment.

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.

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

recertification application submission for 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. 
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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. 

5. Hospital or Institution: Note: This is required with every initial and recertification 

application submission to SDC. If child is in a hospital, institution, or group home then there 

will be no expenses listed in sections 8 and 9 and section 7 will be the child’s name only. All 

blanks should be filled with N/A for these sections. If they are in a home like this proof of 

support as well as a detailed billing statement with a date is required to support the claimed 

expenses. A letter from the hospital, institution, or group home is also required stating when 

they started residing there as well as the duration of their stay.
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Help with completing DD Form 137-3

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

o 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 then 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.

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

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

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

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

both must be selected. If the member is retired their dependents are only 

eligible for USIP.

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

mailing address if different from the physical address. 

o 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.

o Phone – identify as commercial or DSN.

o Email address, if available.

o Claimed dependent’s name and address – Answer completely.

o 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.

o Hospital or Institution – If the child is in a hospital or institution all expenses will be listed 

here. Section 7 will list only the child. Sections 8 and 9 will be filled with 0.00 or N/A.

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

including the claimed dependent and member.

o FRV (Fair Rental Value) – If the incapacitated child 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 incapacitated 

child and member live in someone else’s home proof of no mortgage is required. If the 

incapacitated child 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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o 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.

o 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.

o Household expenses – All expenses for the entire household is a requirement for the 

claimed dependents’ 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.)

o 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.

o 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.

o 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.)

o USIP (Uniformed 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.

o 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.

o 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.

o School – If there are any school expenses for the incapacitated child listed then a current 

dated bill or receipts are required to support those expenses. Loans due to a school bill 

cannot be used. 

o 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.

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

other than from yourself.

o 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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o 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 they do not sign with a notary.

o 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.

• Ensure you read the printed instructions carefully and thoroughly.

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

nothing is missed.

• All foreign documents must be translated to English.

o 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 of support: ATM withdrawal receipts, bank 

statements showing withdrawals, or purchase receipts.

o Relationship documents – child’s birth certificate, member’s marriage license to child’s 

parent, if applicable, and all name change documents, if applicable.

o Medical statement – The statement must be signed by a licensed medical doctor, 

psychologist, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant only.

ALL DOCUMENTATION SUBMISSIONS:

• All packages can be submitted only via two ways. Note: No fax or email is accepted.

• Online submission through the askDFAS 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.

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

Attention ARMY SECONDARY DEPENDENCY TEAM DFAS 

8899 East 56th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46249.