VA Clothing Allowance 2026: Amount, Form and Deadline

You need a service-connected disability (or a disability compensable under 38 U.S.C. 1151 as if it were service connected). VA.gov: if you have not yet filed a disability compensation claim, file that first.

“You must have a service-connected disability to get a clothing allowance.” (VA.gov clothing allowance page; 38 CFR 3.810(a))

Prosthetic or orthopedic appliance: you qualify when, because of a service-connected disability, you wear or use a qualifying appliance (a wheelchair is included) that tends to wear or tear clothing.

“wears or uses one qualifying prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (including, but not limited to, a wheelchair) which tends to wear or tear clothing” (38 CFR 3.810(a)(1))

Skin medication: you qualify when a physician prescribes medication for a skin condition that is due to a service-connected disability and that medication causes irreparable damage to your outer garments. VA.gov describes the same test as damage to outer clothing, such as pants or a shirt, that cannot be repaired.

“uses medication prescribed by a physician for one skin condition, which is due to a service-connected disability, that causes irreparable damage to the veteran's outergarments” (38 CFR 3.810(a)(1)(ii)(B))

Who confirms it: a VA examination or hospital or examination report, or a certification by the Under Secretary for Health or a designee. The VA-examination route in 3.810(a)(1)(i) applies to loss or loss of use of a hand or foot at the rates it lists in § 3.350(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f), which are special monthly compensation (SMC) rates. VA SMC rates 2026.

“because of a service-connected disability or disabilities due to loss or loss of use of a hand or foot compensable at a rate specified in § 3.350(a), (b), (c), (d), or (f)” (38 CFR 3.810(a)(1)(i))

Examples VA.gov gives for devices: an artificial limb, a brace or a wheelchair.

“each type of prosthetic or orthopedic device (like artificial limb, brace, or wheelchair) or skin medication you use for a service-connected condition that damages or stains your clothing” (VA.gov clothing allowance page)

Incarceration: if you are incarcerated in a Federal, State or local penal institution for more than 60 days and the institution furnishes clothing without charge, VA reduces the allowance by 1/365th for each day of incarceration in the preceding 12 months (the first 60 days do not count).

“If a veteran is incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local penal institution for a period of more than 60 days and is furnished clothing without charge by the institution, VA shall reduce the amount of the annual clothing allowance” (38 CFR 3.810(d))

Use the Application for Annual Clothing Allowance, VA Form 10-8678, for a first application, for an additional allowance, or to stop an allowance because you no longer use a qualifying prosthetic or orthopedic device or skin medication.

“Use VA Form 10-8678 to apply for a clothing allowance if you’re a Veteran with a service-connected disability who uses a prosthetic or orthopedic device or skin medication that damages your clothing.” (VA.gov About VA Form 10-8678)

At a VA medical center: bring the completed form, or mail it, to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.

“Bring your application, or mail it, to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.” (VA.gov clothing allowance page, option 3)

By mail: send the form to the VA Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.

“Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444” (VA.gov clothing allowance page, option 2)

Online: VA.gov also offers an online application instead of the paper form. Fax is a fourth option; use the fax number VA prints on its page.

“You can apply online instead of filling out and sending us the paper form.” (VA.gov About VA Form 10-8678)

Have ready your personal information, the service-connected condition that needs the device or skin medication, and each device or medication you use.

“You’ll need to have this information ready when you fill out your application:” (VA.gov clothing allowance page)

More than one allowance: you get an annual clothing allowance for each qualifying appliance or medication, if each one affects a distinct type of article of clothing or outergarment.

“Affects a distinct type of article of clothing or outergarment.” (38 CFR 3.810(a)(2))

Two allowances for one type of garment: with more than one appliance, medication for more than one skin condition, or an appliance plus a medication, you get two annual allowances if together they wear or damage one type of garment at an increased rate because of the second appliance or medication.

“A veteran is entitled to two annual clothing allowances if a veteran uses more than one prosthetic or orthopedic appliance” (38 CFR 3.810(a)(3))

VA.gov summarizes this as having more than one device, more than one skin medicine, or a device or medicine that affects more than one type of clothing. An additional allowance needs its own application.

“But if you want to receive an additional clothing allowance, you do need to submit an application.” (VA.gov clothing allowance page)