Expert: Rod Powers - 10/15/2007

Question
Hello, I am currently living with my cousin who is in the Army and stationed in Iraq. I am disabled, and have been receiving social security benefits for the past five years. My cousin has just received orders to be stationed in Germany. It was suggested to him that he put me on as a dependent. We have gone through the paperwork, and from what I see because I am not his child or parent that it my be futile to even put the application in. Would you suggest that we put the paperwork through, or is it a lost cause. My cousin is my closet relative, my mother is passed away, and me and my father have not spoken in years. The disease that has put me on disability is a neuromuscular disorder that is degenerative.

Answer
Hi Gary,

In order for your cousin to claim you as a Military dependent, he is going to have to show that he provides at least 51 percent of your total support.

This can be a hard burden to prove. As an example, let's say that your total income is $1,000 per month (from social security, or other resources).

Your cousin would then have to show that your total living expenses (through bills, receipts, payments, etc.) is at least $2,000 per month, and that he provides at least $1,005) of that. That can be a pretty harder burdon to show.

However, it most certainly couldn't hurt to put the paperwork through. You never know -- it might be approved, and the very worst that could happen is that it's disapproved, and you're in the exact same situation that you are right now (in other words, no negative consequences).

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com