Expert: Rod Powers - 11/8/2007

Question
Mr. Powers,
I am SGT in the Army. My mother is getting disability due to a back injury that keeps her from working. She also has manic depression. I would like to make her my dependant.
The sticking point is 1) She makes 1507 each month, and 2) I do not give her over 50% of her monetary support, but I handle 100% of it. Her mental disease keeps her from being able to handle money. Is there a way I may still be eligible to get her as a dependant? She could really use the base support services.
-Craig M

Answer
Hi Craig,

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the Joint-Services ID card regualtion is pretty plain when it comes to making a parent or a parent-in-law a Military dependent. (You can view the regulation at: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI36-3026(I).pdf).

In order to make a parent or parent-in-law a Military dependent, you must show that you provide at least 51 percent of that person's support. If she makes $1507.00 per month, you would have to show that (1) her expenses total at least $3015 per month and that you provide at least $1508 per month of that support, in order to make her a Military dependent.

Additionally, the regulation contains a special provsion, when it comes to parents and parents-in-law that are approved to be Military dependents -- they are not eligible for Tricare -- only "space available" medical care in Military medical facilities, and -- to be blunt -- there isn't any "space available" Military medical care available, these days.

For more information about the United State 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