VA Debt Management Center to resume sending notification letters in January 2021

The VA Debt Management Center (DMC) is sending a letter this month to Veterans with benefit debts advising that due process notification letters will resume after January 1, 2021.

The November letter reads as follows:

Dear Veteran/Beneficiary,

We hope this letter finds you well. You are receiving this letter because you may have outstanding VA benefit debt(s), and we want you to be aware of actions VA will take after January 1, 2021, and your options.

To ease financial difficulties during the pandemic, the VA Debt Management Center (DMC) suspended issuing debt notification letters and suspended collection action on debts established after April 3, 2020, through January 1, 2021. DMC also offered suspensions or extended repayment plans for debts established prior to April 3, 2020.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 2021

If your debt was established after April 3, 2020, DMC will issue your debt notification letter(s) starting in January 2021. If you have debt that was established prior to April 3,  where collections have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your suspension will end on January 1, 2021, and the DMC will resume withholding from your VA benefits to pay the debt effective with your February 1, 2021, benefit payment. If you do not receive VA benefits, your payment will be due to DMC by February 1, 2021.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

If you expect difficulties making payments, you are not required to wait until after January 1, 2021, to request assistance. Please review the information found on our website: https://www.va.gov/debtman; or reach out to the DMC for help at https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask/ or call us at 1-800-827-0648.

We can work with you to determine your debt relief options, which may include:

• Establishing a repayment plan.
• Requesting a waiver.
• Disputing the debt.
• Submitting a compromise offer.
• Requesting a temporary hardship suspension.

WHOM TO CONTACT

• For questions about your VA benefit debt, including information on how to make voluntary repayment arrangements or request a waiver, a dispute, or a compromise offer, submit your online request at https://iris.custhelp.va.gov/app/ask/ or call 1-800-827-0648 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
• If you have a question about your VA Benefits or the status of a claim, please call:
  • Education benefits – VA Education Contact Center at 1-888-442-4551.
  • Other VA benefits – VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.
• For questions about your VA Health Care debt, call the Health Resource Center at 1-866-400-1238.
• If your debt was referred to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the debt will remain under their jurisdiction. Treasury can be reached at:
  • Cross-Servicing Program at 1-888-826-3127.
  • Treasury Offset Program at 1-800-304-3107.

We are here to support you during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please follow national and local guidelines to stay healthy and safe.

The VA Debt Management Center (DMC) provides Veterans and beneficiaries with compassionate counseling on their VA benefit debts. DMC manages the debt collection process and provides assistance with debt resolution options, such as payment plans and waivers.