By Larry Dandridge
Editor’s note: This article is the third in a series of four.
Continuing our series on managing debt related to VA benefits, this article will answer three more questions about managing debt to the VA. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/46ASJxB and refer to the VA and The Island News web pages in the last two weekly articles.
Question 5
How can a veteran avoid VA benefit debt?
Two ways to avoid VA benefit debt:
1. Tell the VA immediately about any life changes that may affect your benefits: These include changes like a marriage or divorce, a dependent who leaves school, or a new job that pays more money.
- Veterans can find out if they are eligible and how to add a dependent spouse, child, or parent to their VA disability benefits for additional compensation at https://bit.ly/3AIDab2. On this webpage, veterans can find out: 1. If they are eligible for additional VA disability compensation for one or more dependents; 2. How to view current dependents; 3. How to add a dependent; 4. Get answers to more questions; and 5. Learn more about VA benefits for veterans and their dependents. Veterans can also sign in to VA.gov to view dependents currently added to their benefits.
- Veterans can update their VA health benefits information at https://bit.ly/3YyQx7Y. On March 5, 2024, the VA greatly expanded healthcare through the PACT ACT to millions of veterans. Learn more about how to provide more information about their military service history at https://bit.ly/3ARbVrn. The VA will use information veterans provide to determine if they have had exposure to toxins or other hazardous materials and if they can place the veteran in a higher priority group. This will affect how much (if anything) the veteran has to pay toward VA healthcare cost.
2. Keep your contact information up to date: This helps make sure that the veteran will receive benefit letters. Learn how to change your address and other contact information in your VA.gov profile at https://bit.ly/3QWx50x. This webpage shows veterans how to:
- Update their health benefits information with VA Form 10-10EZR.
- Change your VA direct deposit and contact information.
- Access your life insurance policy online.
- How to apply for a discharge upgrade.
If you get GI Bill or other VA education benefits, you can also take these steps to avoid debt:
- Contact your School Certifying Official (SCO) each semester. Make sure your certification matches your class schedule.
- Visit your school’s financial office often to review your account. Make sure all charges and payments are correct.
If you withdraw from a class, leave school, or make other changes to your schedule, tell the VA and your SCO right away.
Veterans can report changes and get answers to questions through online through Ask VA at https://ask.va.gov. Learn more at https://www.va.gov/contact-us/.
Question 6
What types of life changes does a veteran have to report to the VA?
Veterans and military members must report any life changes that may affect their eligibility for VA benefits. These include:
- A change in active-duty status.
- An increase in your or your spouse’s income or net worth.
- A divorce or the death of a spouse.
- A change in a dependent’s eligibility status (like a school-age child who gets married or leaves school).
- A change in school schedule (like if you withdraw from a class or leave school)
- A change in program attendance (like if you drop out of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program without an accepted reason after we purchased a service or tool for you).
- A jail sentence.
If you have questions, call your VA benefits office. Veterans can find helpful VA phone numbers at https://bit.ly/44xIyHq.
Question 7
How does a veteran repay or request help with VA benefit debt?
Veterans can repay debt related to VA disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, or education benefits in any of these 3 ways:
- Pay online at the VA Debt Management Center webpage at https://www.pay.va.gov. Pay each debt separately by credit card or ACH direct debit. If a veteran wants to pay their full debt balance or if they get monthly VA benefit payments, call the VA first. The VA will confirm the veteran’s balance so he or she does not overpay.
- Pay by phone. Call the VA at 800-827-0648 (1-612-713-6415 from overseas) (TTY: 711). The VA answers the phones Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
- Pay by mail. Send a separate check or money order for each debt, payable to “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.” On each, the veteran must print his full name, VA file number or Social Security number, and deduction code. Veterans should Include their payment stubs or a note with the amount they pay on each debt. Mail to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Debt Management Center, PO Box 11930, St. Paul, Minn. 55111
Find out how to pay VA health care copay charges at https://bit.ly/3nlwfOY. Veterans must pay their full VA copay bill balance by the due date on their billing statement to avoid late charges, interest, or collection actions. On this web page, veterans can check how much they owe for medical services and prescription copays at each VA facility. And find out how to make a payment, request help, or dispute your charges.Veterans should sign in to their existing Login.gov, ID.me, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet account to review their VA copay balances. Veterans without an account can create a free Login.gov or ID.me account at https://bit.ly/4dPYh9N. Once a veteran signs in or creates an account he or she will be able to:
- Review their balances for each of their medical facilities.
- Download their copayment statements.
- Find the right repayment option for them.
Use a VSO
You should realize by now that filing for VA benefits and managing VA debt are complex subjects. Veterans should ask their local VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for help in understanding, applying for, appealing VA decisions, and managing their state and federal veterans’ benefits. Learn more about VSOs at https://bit.ly/3WwDXmN and https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL and The Island News article of Aug. 30, 2023 at https://bit.ly/3WOhSBw.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
