Did you know the VA provides annual payments to certain veterans for their clothing? This article will describe who is eligible for the VA’s clothing allowance, and how to apply for it.
Who is Eligible for the VA’s Clothing Allowance?
To be eligible to receive the VA’s clothing allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Either you have:
- A prosthetic or orthopedic device (such as an artificial limb, rigid extremity brace, wheelchair, or crutches) that damages (causes wear and tear of) your clothes, or
- Skin medicine that damages your outer clothing (like your pants or shirt) that can’t be repaired;
AND
- You need this device or skin medicine because of an injury or illness related to your military service (ie. a service-connected condition).
Multiple allowances are permitted when multiple qualifying appliances and/or medications affect distinct qualifying types of clothing articles.
For example, a veteran may be eligible for a clothing allowance if a prosthetic leg used for a service-connected amputation causes wear and tear to pants. Another veteran may be eligible for a clothing allowance if his physician-prescribed medication for a service-connected skin disorder irreparably damages his shirts. If you suffer from both of these service-connected conditions, then you may be eligible for multiple clothing allowances for the pants and shirts.
As of December 1, 2024, the annual clothing allowance payment is $1,024.50.
When to Apply for the VA Clothing Allowance?
When you apply for a VA clothing allowance, you should either have a service-connected condition already granted, or pursue a service-connection claim, as a service-connected condition is required to grant the clothing allowance benefit.
Regardless of when you submit your application for a clothing allowance, the VA will hold all applications until August 1st following the date of submission. If you qualify, you will receive your payment between September 1st and October 31st. In other words, if one veteran applies on August 10, 2025 and another applies on July 10, 2026, both applications will be held until August 1, 2026, and both will receive their payments between September and October.
A clothing allowance may be a one-time payment or an annual payment, so it is important to review your award letter to understand when you need to reapply. You may also consider reapplying if you need an additional clothing allowance.
To get a clothing allowance in the next year, you’ll need to submit your clothing allowance application on or before August 1, 2026.
How to Apply for the VA Clothing Allowance?
To receive a clothing allowance payment, you’ll need to complete an Application for Annual Clothing Allowance (VA Form 10-8678).
You can then submit the Application for Annual Clothing Allowance (VA Form 10-8678), in one of three ways.
- Apply through your local VA medical center
- Bring or mail your application to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center. You can find your local VA medical center here.
- Apply by mail
- Mail the application to this address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- Apply by fax
- If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818.
- If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260.
Denied Benefits?
If a skin medicine, prosthetic, or orthopedic device related to a service-connected disability damages your clothes, you should consider applying for a VA clothing allowance.
If you have been denied benefits, Vets National Advocates are here for you. Our qualified advocates can help you appeal your disability claim, and will fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Call 877-777-4021 to speak with one of our advocates about your claim for free.
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