Veterans facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic will soon see extended debt relief options from VA. By extending debt relief through Sept. 30, VA reaffirms its commitment to helping Veterans getting through these hard times.
VA will continue suspension of collection on all Veteran benefit overpayments and medical copayment debts incurred after April 1, 2020.
VA is suspending this debt collection to provide Veterans continued financial relief due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My top priority right now is to do everything in our power to help our Veterans, caregivers and their families get through this challenging COVID-19 pandemic,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA will continue to find ways to provide real relief to 2 million Veterans and their families as we fight through this health crisis together.”
To assist with making informed choices for their situation, VA will notify Veterans of the existence of their current debt and the availability of expansive relief options. These options include making payments, and extending repayment plans, waivers, compromises and temporary hardship suspensions.
Veterans and beneficiaries with questions regarding benefit overpayments can see frequently asked questions, go online to submit requests or call 800-827-0648. Call volume is generally lower Tuesday-Friday.
For questions about medical and pharmacy copayment debt, Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 866-400-1238.
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When enough complaints are received by the Office of the VA Inspector General’s Office, and the complaints are nearly identical except for how they are worded, the OIG is almost compelled to investigate. It is undoubtedly a fact that the customer service at VA is broken and trying to walk without legs. The OIG can suggest fixes to the problem and the new VA Director would be wise to heed their advice. The thought that those who have waited so long for earned services and are rejected and have not given up is amplified vastly when knowing many have given up. It is obvious that after many years the VA tried temporary fixes that layered in a mass quagmire of crap. If VA would contract with the Manpower/Management Engineering functions of the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy and have those highly skilled troops come in and streamline the VA processes, we just might see an application for disability go from submission to approval in a matter of weeks rather than nearly a year.. But, this won’t happen. Executives like to layer more and more employees under their control. We called this empire building. All this does is puts more workers in the way of efficiency. I guess it would not be politically correct to have an RIF for the sake of veterans application completion efficiency. I was a part of an ME Squadron back in the early ’80’s that was tasked with entering a function and delineating its manpower down to what was needed to complete their mission. We reduced unit manpower sizes by at least 20% all the while increasing their mission capabilities by 15%. Can you imagine if the Federal Government did that across the board…. especially the VA? Bless all of you who served and sacrificed and are still sacrificing.
We have to think why do we have to wait. Did we wait and tell the armed forces it is not our time and stand by. No we did not and after Viet Nan ,and all the continuing conflict’s the Government still uses the VA to delay any relief. Then our wives are there in most cases and they should get our full pensions no like that would make them rich or give them a better life other than subsisting. I believe the system has to change and we need to evaluate our veterans before they leave the service and do it right. I was sent to the hospital and in ten minutes after blood pressure was checked was shipped out and went to CBPO for out-processing and gone the next morning and it took 50 years to go thru the process being denied so many times and still today with actual documents of incidents they still have thier biased opinion on the compensation.
Then we go to American Legion/VFW/DAV and many other agencies who sign us up and say they help and in truth they do little or nothing while some of these agencies use movie stars and country singers for thier monetary goals while they claim to help actually give little back to the veterans and merely refer them to the government mill who has inferior doctors who use google to look up conditions or are there to get bonus money or thier student loans paid. Very few stay why would you if you could make 10 times the money they pay. Yes it has gotten much better on medical side of the VA but the admin side is still a big joke. Records are not correct and they play you against yourself. You have programs that they tell you about but some program but it has so many restrictions you will never qualify. I have my political thoughts but I also know I will depart this earth sooner than my natural time as I am tired of fighting for every little things and tired of long waits and feel maybe the VA should be abolished and all veterans use normal health care as no matter what you have the government pays the same discounted rate to regular hospitals as it collects while the veteran suffers. Then when you use outside help because you live 90 miles away the VA does not pay and you go into collections and then you cant buy a house or car and you never see the end. In one surgery it took me 4 years to get the doctors paid but my credit was destroyed and this continues today 10 years later with new surgeries and the outside doctors throw you into collection after 90 days. How do we win peace we deserve. No matter who you are what you did and why issues happened the system is in denial so who loses no one but the veteran and his family while the agencies that say they help check thier bank accounts and see the truth. Sad to think people who are veterans have found ways to become millionaires with 300 million in the bank and yet ask for more while they are truly directing those veterans to the VA system. At least they promised me I could be buried in a VA Cemetery. All those medals they can keep them. I wonder how those men I served with that did not come back families are doing. How thier children were denied opportunities and thier wives will never know thier true destiny. Was Viet Nam worth it. Was Afghanistan worth it and could we have used the money for these wars to make a better America, educate or children feed the poor and still protect our shores. Tell us why and what did we gain. What was the true reason we get into these fights. And most of all why does our own system fight us after we gave so much. I gave most of life. USAF/ret
You did nothing more than your duty:. Join the club. This is order of battle to preserve the force. U sure r wordy.
Larry Owens,. USA,. COE retired
Only this is not the same USA I served.
Well stated! I completely agree. You put into words so many of the same things I’ve also been experiencing for 30 years. Thank you!
I totally agree ..Why isnt Biden offering Veterans direct debt relief of at least 10,000 the same for student loans?
I think the same as you, right now I need help with my mortgage payment for this month and me remembering how you’re treated when you ask for help I’ve not gone I truly do not like how we are treated on the admin side of the VA. makes you feel less than human.
Here’s 1 for record books on VA Clinics,Had Heart Problems for over 35 yrs RECORDED by VA Loisville KY,Marion Ill.Went Had 2 Code Blue at local hospitals, Record,And Was sent to VA local Surgeon,Local VA Heart Specialist,Had Heart Echo,By VA,Stated I was in excellent Health,Not Heart Problems,And they have no record of past test medicine, or test,at other VA places,What the he’ll is going on here at Clinics!!!!And it gets better Vets,Don’t trust them,So I was having Stomach, Problems, Went to Different Clinic,They sent me,To local hospital that had Gastoligital Surgeon, That told Me And tested me through outpatient Surgerys of upper and lower GIs,testing. I have Sevier Liver failure, And it’s Affecting my upper GI.And I found Records from VA in 1992,Stated I liver problem back than never told,and again tested,2012,Marion Ill.And again never told and treated for it yet,or than.And when requesting my Military Records,There are nun from my Time At Bitburg Airbase,in Germany,Non Than Tried blame me for not turning them in,But Lie there is they had my Dental Records from there,Goverment Don’t give rats ads about us,or my kids Wife,And I could go on pn.People Iam 66 yrs,old Filed Nermous Times,DAV,Lawyers,Ect. This is truth.I know your thoughts,and some pains.God Bless us!And know we Served And loved our county,and fellow man,Love All 3 time Hornable Discharges Vet,US.MARINE VIETNAM,,US.ARMY COLD WAR,US.ARMY GUARD INDIANA
How about handling those disability claims with the VA and not just sending this letter saying we’ll get around to it. People that have hearing problems like me need our disability money and dental no Dental.
I am a Veteran who has a student loan with Launch Services, despite contracting Covid-19, and losing my Kidney function, now on dialysis, waiting for a Kidney transplant. Because I got ill, and was no longer able to finish the one class I need or complete my internship due to school closer, I am stuck paying a $13,000 education loan to Launch Services, I was wondering if there was any solution offer from the VA to assist with this hardship…
Ralph Mendez
I was a deep water sailor during the Viet Nam war and was in the path of Agent Orange as it drifted out to sea. However, I’ve applied three times and so far they keep turning me down. And they don’t give me a reason. So far I’ve hand one near fatal heart attach, have gotten diabetes type 2, and some mental issues. So why do they keep turning me down?
[Editor: EVERY claim decision letter explains the legal reasoning for each decision.]
I appreciate that they are not doing collections on things like medication copays that they didn’t bill for, but then I find out that the local grocery store has NO copay for blood pressure and some diabetic medications. How is it that we can get these free from the grocery store pharmacy and not the VA?
“Suspending”? Unless the overpayments where kept knowing full well the extra $$ as just that, an overpayment, then it should be forgiven. After all, Biden wants to “forgive” student debt for those that signed a loan agreement….. And as for the medical copayment debts? Definitely forgiven – 90% of the Vets medical is service related.
I’m a veteran,u talk about hardship,pain and suffering, I’ve been not yet since I was honerably discharged in 1984 rated for my service connected disability, I feel from a moving tank in the motor pool, I dislocated my lower back, I was taken to medical where I was told that their was nothing wrong with me, I was released and sent back out to the field , I’ve pained and suffered back problems every since then and Everytime I’ve applied for service connected disability, social security disability I’ve been denied Everytime, check my medical records, I was 24 year’s old when I was discharged 37 year’s later I’m 60 now still seffering with other disability’s now can’t work with the only income of $204.00 in food stamps, when will this war end , I could see if I was a cat with 9 lives, God forbid I often wonder how long are will I ever be rated for giving my life to sicrifice others you do the math.
Get in touch with the DAV Disabled. American Veterns they will help you with your claim seriously
Hi, I had The American Legion help me with my claim. I was denied a few times, but was approved on my appeal. I am a member of the VFW, American Legion & DAV. We have service officers downtown Pittsburgh, in the Federal Building, that will help you. Go to any VFW Post and they will put you in touch with the Post Service Officer, who will help you with claims.
Hi Jeffery, call the Service Officer Liz Salvador in the Federal Building in Pittsburgh. She will help you!!!
I am trying to find out where I can find help moving into an apartment. I am trying to move from an assited living home to my own apartment. I am looking for resources to help me. Also trying to find out if the VA will help with education and a computer to work part time from home? Also need to update my service connected disability rating.
You can apply for tdiu and the VA will determine if your service connected disabilities will allow you to receive 100 percent compensation. Even if your rating is only 80.
You can do this online or call your local regional VA for help. They can also help you if your in danger of becoming homeless.
Try DAV to help with your claim if you need it. Never stop asking questions to what you don’t know. Good luck!
Good luck!
I have been disabled since 2007. I can barely make ends meet considering I have a handicapped child.
Heads up kids, not only is the va not collecting debts they are not paying vets their travel reimbursements for going to their community care appointments. They are now claiming that it takes a six week manual review of travel submitted for these community care appointments, which in my opinion is a down right lie. I have yet to be reimbursed for my January travel and will be submitting my February travel soon. Messing with peoples’ finances like this is just plain wrong. This is NOT caring for our veterans.
How do I get my vaccine
I’m a disabled veteran since 2/1/80 fighting all these years. I lost everything living a friends couch years now. I can’t work I can barely function and at Northport VA hospital regularly. I been so sick over 40 + years I did not accumulate enough social security. I did not know at times who I am. Need help rent living I’m 80%. But after paying bills nothing left.
In Crisis? Let us help you
Veterans and their loved ones in crisis can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Northport VAMC is here to help veterans in stopping their use of drugs and alcohol. Thousands of veterans just like you have received help to quit and move on to healthier lives. Please take that same step toward healthy living now. Northport VA provides treatment for substance abuse, beginning at our Access Center located on the first floor of building 63, open weekdays. We accept walk-ins or call to schedule an appointment at 261-4400, ext. 2416. There is always a caring mental health doctor available 24/7 in our Emergency Room. You can do it.