According to the Veterans Administration’s About (Intent to File) VA Form M 21-0966 website https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0966/, veterans should use a VA Form 21-0966 if they are still gathering information to support their claim, and want to start the filing process.
Submitting an intent to file can secure the earliest possible effective date for any retroactive payments the veteran may be eligible to receive.
How to file an Intent to File form
Veterans should read about the INTENT TO FILE a Claim process at https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0966/. The claim form can be downloaded at https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0966-ARE.pdf.
The VA Form 21-0966 is a simple, one-page form that asks for the claimant’s (veteran) first name, middle initial, and last name, social security number, VA File Number (if applicable), date of birth, current mailing address, telephone number, and email address. The form also asks, “Has the Veteran ever filed a claim with the VA?”
VA File Number
For clarification, a veteran’s VA File Number is the number that appears on VA benefit checks and in the upper right corner of all mail that the VA sends the veteran. The VA File Number is also called the VA Claim Number or C-file Number. If a veteran has never filed for any VA benefits, then the veteran will not have a VA File Number. A veteran’s VA file number is important because veterans must use it when they send anything to the VA about their claim.
How to apply for a VA Pension as a veteran
Find out how to apply for tax-free VA pension benefits as a Veteran at https://www.va.gov/pension/how-to-apply/. If a veteran applies online for pension benefits, he or she will still need to submit VA Form 21-0996 as your intent to file. Veterans should review the Eligibility Criteria for VA Veterans Pension at https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/. Veterans will need the following information to apply for VA Pension: Social Security number or VA File Number, Military history, the veteran’s financial information, and veteran’s dependents’ financial information, work history, bank direct deposit information, and medical information.
How to file a disability claim
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation or increased disability compensation at the VA’s HOW TO FILE A VA DISABILITY CLAIM website https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/. Veterans and qualified dependents should review the Eligibility Criteria for VA disability benefits at https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/. Veterans can file a claim:
Online at https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/.
By mail using VA Form 21-526EZ and mailing the completed form to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, Wis. 53547-4444.
In-person by bringing the application to a VA Regional Office. Veterans can find a VA Regional Office Near them at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits.
With the help of a trained professional (VSO, Attorney, or Claims Agent). Veterans can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for VA pension benefits. If a veteran or veteran’s family member, caregiver, or survivor needs help filing a claim or appeal, they can work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), accredited attorney, or an accredited claims agent. The VA trusts these professionals because they are trained, must pass an exam, take continuing education courses, and be certified in the VA claims and appeals processes—- and they can help veterans with VA-related needs. Find out more about accredited representatives and how they can help at https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/.
Veterans Service Officers work for Veterans Service Organizations (both are called VSOs), as well as for local government offices (they work with but not for the VA). VSOs work on behalf of Veterans and service members — as well as their dependents and survivors. VSO services are free. VSOs are terrific advocates of veterans but only one VSO organization can represent you at any one time.
No individual or organization may charge you a fee to help you file your initial application for benefits. But attorneys and claims agents may charge you for unusual expenses. It’s only after the VA makes a decision about a veteran’s original claim that VA-accredited claims agents and attorneys may charge for their services. Veterans should make sure they ask upfront what, if any, fees the veteran will be charged. If a veteran believes a claims agent or attorney charged a fee that’s too high, they can challenge it. Learn how to challenge fees at https://www.va.gov/OGC/docs/Accred/HowtoChallengeaFee.pdf
VSOs in The Island News footprint
Below are the phone numbers and email addresses of other S.C. and Ga. county VSOs in The Island News footprint.
Beaufort County, The Beaufort County Veterans Service Office,100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. Phone 843-255-6880, and FAX 843-255-9445.
Colleton Co., Janet D. Smith, Walterboro, SC, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
Charleston Co., David J. LeBlanc, Sr., N. Charleston, SC, 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org.
Hampton Co., Sharon Johnson, 803-914-2085/2087, sjohnson@hamptoncountysc.org.
Dorchester Co., Johnny K. Brown, 843-832-0050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov.
Jasper Co., Alton Jenkins, 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
Berkeley Co., Jan Helton, Moncks Corner, SC, 843-719-4023, jan.helton@berkeleycountysc.gov.
Other SC Lowcountry VSOs in the footprint of The Island News include:
Beaufort Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter VSO Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com.
State of S.C. (American Legion Trained) VSO in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Elizabeth Singleton, 843-789-7456.
VSO (American Legion Trained) Paula Maloney in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center at 803-647-2434 and va@admin.sc.gov.
Chatham County, Ga.: Reggie Louis, 912-920-0214, Ext. 2194, reggie.lewis2@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419.
Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga., Charles Isaac, 912-408-2948, charles.isaac@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313.
S.C. County VSO Listing. Find a listing of all SC County Veterans Service Offices at https://scdva.sc.gov/county-veterans-affairs-offices.
The bottom line
Veterans do not want to miss out on VA Disability Compensation or VA Pension that they are eligible for. If a veteran does not file an intent To File and waits a year to file a claim, the veteran will miss out on a year’s worth of compensation. For example, a veteran who has been awarded a 100% service-connected disability by the VA, would lose about $42,200 if they had not filed an Intent To File.
You can read more than 70 other articles on veterans’ benefits that have been published in The Island News at www.yourislandnews.com.
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 freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
