VA Clothing Allowance: Who Qualifies, What Counts & How to Apply. VA pays a yearly, tax-free clothing allowance of $1,053.19 per allowance (effective December 1, 2025) to veterans whose service-connected condition requires a prosthetic or orthopedic device, a wheelchair, or a prescribed skin medicine that wears out, tears or permanently stains their clothing. Any rating can qualify, even 0%, and many veterans can receive more than one allowance. Not service-connected? Learn the one exception for conditions caused by VA medical care, and how connecting a condition as secondary or by aggravation can open the door. This page explains which items usually count and which don’t, how VA counts multiple allowances, the August 1 date and the lesser-known 1-year rules for first-time applicants, automatic renewal so you don’t reapply every year, how to apply on VA Form 10-8678 through your VA medical center’s prosthetics office, and what to do if you’re denied. Use the free estimator to see how many allowances you may qualify for. Download our free Clothing Allowance Guide (PDF) for an item list that matches the VA form, an application checklist, a clothing damage log and a contact log. Veterans Claims Education is a free education resource; we do not assist with or file claims.