diff --git a/modules/claims_api/app/sidekiq/claims_api/poa_updater.rb b/modules/claims_api/app/sidekiq/claims_api/poa_updater.rb
index b1516dd201c..85856fdb6a8 100644
--- a/modules/claims_api/app/sidekiq/claims_api/poa_updater.rb
+++ b/modules/claims_api/app/sidekiq/claims_api/poa_updater.rb
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ def perform(power_of_attorney_id, rep = nil) # rubocop:disable Metrics/MethodLen
 
         ClaimsApi::VANotifyJob.perform_async(poa_form.id, rep) if vanotify?(poa_form.auth_headers, rep)
 
-        ClaimsApi::PoaVBMSUpdater.perform_async(poa_form.id) if enable_vbms_access?(poa_form:)
+        if enable_vbms_access?(poa_form:) && poa_form.auth_headers['dependent'].blank?
+          ClaimsApi::PoaVBMSUpdater.perform_async(poa_form.id)
+        end
       else
         poa_form.status = ClaimsApi::PowerOfAttorney::ERRORED
         poa_form.vbms_error_message = "BGS Error: update_birls_record failed with code #{response[:return_code]}"
diff --git a/modules/claims_api/spec/sidekiq/poa_updater_spec.rb b/modules/claims_api/spec/sidekiq/poa_updater_spec.rb
index 4bbed181432..cc08687dfdf 100644
--- a/modules/claims_api/spec/sidekiq/poa_updater_spec.rb
+++ b/modules/claims_api/spec/sidekiq/poa_updater_spec.rb
@@ -111,6 +111,37 @@
     end
   end
 
+  context 'deciding to call PoaVBMSUpdater' do
+    before do
+      create_mock_lighthouse_service
+    end
+
+    let(:poa) { create_poa }
+
+    context 'when the dependent header key is present' do
+      it 'does not call PoaVBMSUpdater' do
+        expect(ClaimsApi::PoaVBMSUpdater).not_to receive(:perform_async)
+
+        poa.auth_headers.merge!({ dependent: { first_name: 'Test' } })
+        poa.form_data.merge!({ recordConsent: true, consentLimits: [] })
+        poa.save!
+
+        subject.new.perform(poa.id, 'Rep Data')
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'when the dependent header key is not present' do
+      it 'does call PoaVBMSUpdater' do
+        expect(ClaimsApi::PoaVBMSUpdater).to receive(:perform_async)
+
+        poa.form_data.merge!({ recordConsent: true, consentLimits: [] })
+        poa.save!
+
+        subject.new.perform(poa.id, 'Rep Data')
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   context 'deciding to send a VA Notify email' do
     before do
       create_mock_lighthouse_service