Section I: Veteran's identification
The Veteran's name, Social Security number, VA file number and date of birth.
21-0788
Information Regarding Apportionment of Beneficiary’s Award (VA Form 21-0788)
- Agency
- VA
- Revision
- February 2026
- Fillable fields
- 55
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- VA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
VA Form 21-0788: Information Regarding Apportionment of Beneficiary's Award
VA Form 21-0788 is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs form Information Regarding Apportionment of Beneficiary's Award. VA's page for it, headed Application for apportionment of a beneficiary's award, says to use it if you're a spouse, dependent, or dependent parent of a Veteran and you want to apply to receive some or all of a Veteran's or surviving spouse's disability compensation.
The form says that in certain limited circumstances a veteran's disability award may be apportioned (paid) to the veteran's spouse, child, or dependent parent, and that a surviving spouse's award may also be apportioned for the veteran's child or children. It is two pages: Section I identifies the Veteran, Section II the claimant or the individual acting on behalf of a minor child, Section III holds the apportionment details and the reason, Section IV is for remarks and Section V is the certification and signature.
VA's page says you can also apply online. You can fill out the PDF free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on VA Form 21-0788
Section II: Claimant information
Your name, your relationship to the Veteran, your address, telephone number and an optional email address.
Items 10 to 12: who the apportionment is for
Up to four people, each with name, Social Security number, relationship to the Veteran and whether they already receive an apportionment, then questions on a stepchild still in the Veteran's household and a child adopted by another person.
Items 13A and 13B: reason for the claim
Reasons listed include incarceration for more than 60 days after a felony or misdemeanor conviction, a Veteran receiving care from the United States or a political subdivision, a primary beneficiary in enemy territory, and a Veteran missing 90 days or more, plus the facility's name and address.
Sections IV and V: remarks and signature
A remarks box, a certification that the information is true and correct, the signature of the claimant or individual acting on behalf of a minor child, marked required, and the date.
How to file VA Form 21-0788
- 1
Read the notices on page 2
The form says to read the Privacy Act and Respondent Burden on page 2 before completing it.
- 2
Fill in Sections I and II
The form says it may be completed online or by hand. By hand, it asks for ink, neat and legible printing, one letter per box and fully filled check boxes.
- 3
Complete the part of Section III that applies
Section III says to complete only the portion that applies to you: the people the apportionment is for, the stepchild and adoption questions, and the reason in Item 13A.
- 4
Add remarks and sign
Add any remarks in Item 14, sign Item 15A and enter the date in Item 15B.
- 5
Submit it
The form says documents may be submitted by mail, in person at a VA regional office or electronically, and that VA recommends electronic submission as the fastest method of receipt.
Why fill Form 21-0788 on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
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- The official blank straight from the VA, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
Where to send it and getting help
Online
VA's form page says you can apply online instead of filling out and sending the paper form, and links to an upload for the completed PDF. The form also names https://www.va.gov/disability/upload-supporting-evidence/ and Direct Upload through AccessVA.
Compensation claims by mail
Department of Veterans Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.
Pension and survivors benefit claims by mail
Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.
In person
The form says documents may also be submitted in person at a VA regional office.
Questions
The form points to Ask VA at https://ask.va.gov/ and the toll-free number 1-800-827-1000 (TTY:711).
Edition
The FEB 2026 edition supersedes VA Form 21-0788, AUG 2024. Its OMB control number is 2900-0666, which expires 02/28/2029.
Related forms
21-4193
Notice to Department of Veterans Affairs of Veteran or Beneficiary Incarcerated in Penal Institution
47 fields, 3 pages
21-686c
Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents
625 fields, 15 pages
21-0538
Mandatory Verification of Dependents
117 fields, 2 pages
21-4138
Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-4138)
33 fields, 2 pages
21-0845
Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party (VA Form 21-0845)
57 fields, 3 pages
Who files VA Form 21-0788?
The form says it is completed by the spouse, child, or dependent parent requesting the apportionment, or by an individual acting on behalf of a minor child.
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Questions about Form 21-0788
What is VA Form 21-0788 used for?
VA's page says to use it if you're a spouse, dependent, or dependent parent of a Veteran and you want to apply to receive some or all of a Veteran's or surviving spouse's disability compensation.
Who completes the form?
The form says it is completed by the spouse, child, or dependent parent requesting the apportionment, or by an individual acting on behalf of a minor child.
Can I apply online?
Yes. VA's form page says you can apply online instead of filling out and sending the paper form.
What reasons does the form list?
Item 13A lists incarceration of the Veteran, surviving spouse or child for more than 60 days after a felony or misdemeanor conviction, certain hospital, nursing home or domiciliary care cases, a primary beneficiary in enemy territory, and a Veteran missing 90 days or more.
Which address do I mail VA Form 21-0788 to?
The form gives two: the Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444 for compensation claims, and the Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365 for pension and survivors benefit claims.
What does the form say about marriage?
It says a marriage certified for VA benefits is one recognized by the place where you and/or your spouse resided at the time of marriage, or when you filed your claim or later became eligible, citing 38 U.S.C. 103(c).