Marines may have family members who will rely on them for financial support and may be eligible to be added as secondary or permanent dependents. An unmarried child over age 21 incapable of self-support because of mental or physical incapacity or disability that occurred while the child was considered a dependent of a Marine during active duty may qualify.

Instructions for designating a disabled child (over 21) as a permanent dependent:

When to process this request: 3 months prior to 21st birthday.

1. DD Form 1172-2: Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment.


2. DD Form 137-5: Dependency Statement – Incapacitated Child Over Age 21.
   
   Click here to go to forms. Once it opens, hover your cursor over "FORMS," then on the dropdown click on Department of Defense (DD) Forms, and click on the numerical range of the appropriate forms.


3. Send/Fax: Current medical statement within the last 3 – 4 months, preferably from the child’s PCM, explaining in narrative format:
   • the onset of the disability.
   • the child’s current physical and cognitive status.
   • functional level (what the child cannot do or needs assistance doing is better that what the child can do).
   • current treatments.
   • prognosis for recovery.
   • prognosis for self supporting.
4. Copy of the child’s birth certificate


5. Verification of Medicare A & B (or disapproval letter from Social Security)


6. Photo ID


7. Updated information (eye color, hair color, height & weight)


8. Copy of Social Security Card


9. Recent proof of support if the child does NOT live with the sponsor


10. Recent proof of child’s income

The entire packet gets mailed to the appropriate address below:

Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower & Reserve AFF (MFP-1)
2008 Elliot Road RM 154, Quantico, VA 22134-5103
Phone: (703) 784-9529
Fax: (703) 432-2591
Email: MFP-1@usmc.mil

First Stage, package is reviewed by BUMED board. This is the medical board that will review the documents that you will submit to see if the child is Permanently INCAP, Temporarily INCAP, or if the packet is insufficient and/or needs more information.

Second Stage, MRP (Dependency Determination Section) will assess the financial side. They will determine if the sponsor is providing more than 50% of their child’s support and to see if the child’s income does not exceed their expenses. Current TRICARE prescriptions cost goes under “the value of the USIP card.”