Many veterans with service-connected disabilities face extra costs in daily life, such as damage to their clothing from medical devices or medications.
To help with these expenses, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an annual Clothing Allowance.
What is the VA Clothing Allowance?
The VA Clothing Allowance is a yearly payment that helps veterans pay for clothes that get worn out or damaged because of prosthetics, orthopedic devices (like braces), or certain skin medications needed for service-related conditions.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for this benefit, a veteran must meet at least one of these conditions:
- They use a prosthetic or orthopedic device—such as a limb brace—that wears down their clothing.
- They use medicine on their skin for a service-related condition, and it stains or ruins their clothes.
- The veteran must also have a VA disability rating for the condition that requires the device or medicine.
Payment Details
Most veterans receive one payment per year. However, if you use more than one qualifying device or medication that affects different pieces of clothing, you may be able to get more than one payment.
The exact amount of the allowance is updated each year by the VA to keep up with inflation.
How to Apply
The Clothing Allowance is not automatic—veterans must submit an application each year. Here’s how to apply:
- Fill out VA Form 10-8678, “Application for Annual Clothing Allowance.”
- Submit the form to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.
- You can also contact your VA medical center’s prosthetic department for help with your application.
The deadline to apply each year is August 1. Even if you received the allowance before, you still need to apply again unless the VA tells you otherwise.
Why Is This Important?
This allowance helps veterans pay for everyday needs that are affected by their service-connected conditions.
For example, someone using a prosthetic leg might go through several pairs of pants each year due to wear and tear. The Clothing Allowance helps cover these kinds of hidden costs.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, talk to your local VA representative for assistance.
The VA Clothing Allowance is one way the government supports veterans, helping them with real-life challenges beyond medical care.
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