Clothing Allowance
For those whose service-connected condition(s) permanently damage clothing, the VA will pay a yearly tax-free stipend to help offset the costs of buying new clothing.
Clothing Allowance
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For those whose service-connected condition(s) permanently damage clothing, the VA will pay a yearly tax-free stipend to help offset the costs of buying new clothing.
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Benefit
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Clothing allowances can be paid once or annually.
Click Here to see the current allowance amount.
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Eligibility
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Veterans who wear or use a prescribed prosthetic, orthopedic appliance, and/or skin medication for a service connected disability that causes:
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Excessive wear/tear of clothing; or
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Skin medication causes irreparable staining to your outer-garments.
The VA has established the following lists for which equipment and medications fit the above criteria:
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For the purposes of this benefit the VA ONLY considers the following clothing:
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Blouses;
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Pants;
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Shirts;
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Shorts;
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Skirts and similar garments.
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The following are explicitly NOT covered:
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Hats;
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Scarves,
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Shoes;
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Socks;
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Underwear and similar garments.
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IMPORTANT NOTES:
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You CAN be entitled to multiple clothing allowances! So long as the qualifying appliances wear or tear MORE THAN ONE type of article of clothing AND/OR medications MUST irreparably damage MORE THAN ONE type of clothing or outer-garment.
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Veterans who are incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local penal institution for over 60 days AND the institution provides clothing without cost:
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Will have their clothing allowance reduced by X/365 for each day they are incarcerated - starting from the 61st day.
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Applying
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To apply for a clothing allowance, complete the following steps:
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Complete VA Form 10-8678.
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Submit the form to the VA NO LATER THAN August 1! If you submit the form later then it will be considered next year!
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There are several ways to submit the form to the VA:
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Online: MyHealtheVet - Submit via the secure messaging feature to your Prosthetic & Sensory aids Service (PSAS).
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In-Person: Turn the form in at your Local PSAS.
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Fax: USA: 844-531-7818 OUTSIDE USA: 248-524-4260
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Mail 1:
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ATTN: PSAS Department
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Mail 2:
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Department of Veterans Affairs
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Claims Intake Center
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PO Box 4444
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Janesville, WI 53547-4444
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Those who applied for the first time after August 1, 2012, MUST reapply every year to maintain this benefit.
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FAQ
Will applying for a clothing allowance make the VA re-evaluate my conditions and possibly reduce me?
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No, the program is run by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As such, the your application will NOT come across the desk of a rater!
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