When do I submit a clothing allowance application (VA Form 10-8678)?

• If you are applying for the benefit for the first time and/or adding additional devices or skin medications to your existing awards, an application is needed
• Apply for the benefit no later than August 1st of the calendar year. Eligibility for the benefit ends July 31^st of the calendar year.

How to apply for the clothing allowance benefit?

• Log into your va.gov account using the instructions at : https://www.va.gov/forms/10-8678/apply-annual-clothing-allowance/introduction
• Complete the paper version VA Form 10-8678a  (June 2026) and submit to the Claims Intake Center:
• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
  CLAIMS INTAKE CENTER
  PO BOX 4444
  JANESVILLE, WI 53547-4444
• Fax the application to the Claims Intake Center: TOLL FREE: 844-531-7818 or 248-524-4260 (Utilized for Foreign Claimants)

If I don't submit an application, will I receive an annual clothing allowance payment?

• Yes, VA will make recurring eligible payments for those Veterans who do not have any changes to their devices or skin medications. Veterans will be paid the same number of clothing allowance(s) starting with benefit year 2022. Until further notice, if you do not have any changes to your devices and/or skin medications, an annual application is not required for a Veteran to be paid the same number of clothing allowances you were previously approved for.

Who is eligible for the clothing allowance benefit?

• Veterans who are rated for a service-connected disability for which they use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance(s) may be entitled.
• Veterans whose service-connected skin condition requires a prescribed skin medication that irreparably damages the Veteran's outer garments may be entitled.

How is entitlement determined?
VHA will determine:

• If the Veteran is eligible to apply for the benefit:
• Must meet certain service-connected disability criteria certified by VBA's Compensation Service
• Outlined in 38 CFR 3.810 eCFR : 38 CFR 3.810 - Clothing allowance.
• Whether the prostheses or orthopedic appliance causes wear/tear. A guide of prostheses or orthopedic appliances can be found below:
• Recommended HCPC’s eligible for Clothing Allowance
• Whether the skin medication for the service-connected skin condition causes irreparable staining to the Veterans outergarments. A guide of skin medications can be found below:
• Guide of Skin medications that commonly causes irreparable staining to outergarments
• How many locations and which outergarments are impacted (e.g., shirt, pants, skirt, blouse). NOTE: There is a maximum of 4 clothing allowances per benefit year. 2 clothing allowances per garment (example: 2 per upper garment and 2 per lower garment) (reference: 38 CFR 3.810 paragraphs a2 and a3).

Annual Benefit Amount

• For the special benefit amount for clothing allowance, see the Special Benefit Allowances Rate Table.