Page | 1

Army Secondary Dependency:

Student (21 or 22 years old) DD Form 137-6 Application Assistance

This form will be used for college students only. When filling out the above 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.

• NOTE: A dependency determination for the student is required for Basic Allowance for 

Housing (BAH) only. A Uniformed Services Identification and Privileges (USIP ID) card or Travel 

Allowance may be obtained at your local DEERS office.

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

submission to 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 137 then 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. School Letter: Letter on school letterhead and signed by school official stating enrollment date, status 

(full or part-time) and expected graduation date. Students who are not seniors and are not full time 

are not eligible. Only seniors in college can be part time students. Detailed billing statement for all 

semesters that the BAH is being requested for showing what was billed and who/what paid the bills is

required. If there is a GI bill the GI bills are also required showing all funds paid.

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)
Page | 2

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.

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 the dependent 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. 
Page | 3

Help with completing DD Form 137-6

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 only. Our office only processes BAH for students. See above if you wish to obtain a USIP 

card and/or Travel Allowance.

o Mark “X” (Yes or No) : Mark 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 not eligible.

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 Claimed dependent’sschool information – Answer completely.

o Claimed dependent’s other parent(s) – Answer completely.

o Student’s Residence – Answer completely.

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 student 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 student and member live in someone else’s home proof of 

no mortgage is required. If the student 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.

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.
Page | 4

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 Privilege 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 Expenses | 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 School Expenses – If the student is living at college sections 9 and 10 will be filled with 0.00 or N/A and 

section 11 will be completed.

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

from yourself.

o Member’s Contribution – Answer completely.

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.

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.
Page | 5

Avoid common mistakes:

o Avoid submitting an Illegible or incomplete application package

• 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

•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 ofsupport. See above for full details.

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

showing withdrawals, or purchase receipts.

•Relationship documents – child’s birth certificate, member’s marriage license to child’s parent, if 

applicable, and all name change documents, if applicable.

•Verification of student full-time enrollment from an accredited college or university – must state the

date of admission, enrolled as a full-time student (if not in their last year), seeking a degree and an 

expected graduation date. It must also be signed by Human Resources from that institution and be 

on their letterhead.

ALL DOCUMENTATION SUBMISSIONS

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

1. Online submission through the askDFAS 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 DFAS 

8899 East 56th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46249.