This week’s Borne the Battle podcast breaks down how the VA Debt Management Center is executing the president’s directive to suspend or extend all VA Debt Collection due to coronavirus, or COVID-19.

VA announced April 3 a number of actions to provide Veterans with financial, benefits and claims help amid VA’s COVID-19 response.

The financial relief actions include the following until further notice:

  • Suspending all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department.
  • Suspending collection action or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts, as the Veteran prefers.

For benefit debts, Veterans can contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 to make arrangements.

For health care debts, Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 1-888-827-4817 to make arrangements.

The benefits and claims relief actions include giving Veterans the option to submit their paperwork late for the following actions:

  • perfecting claims
  • challenging adverse decisions
  • submitting Notices of Disagreement
  • submitting Substantive Appeals
  • responding to Supplemental Statements of the Case

Veterans requesting claim extensions can simply submit them with any late-filed paperwork and Veterans do not have to proactively request an extension in advance. For added convenience, VA will also accept typed/digital signatures instead of wet signatures on its forms. Those with questions can call 1-800-827-1000.

In Addition

For Veterans who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and need immediate action on their appeals, as opposed to a filing extension, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals will Advance their appeal on Docket (AOD). Click here to find out how to file for AOD and what documentation is required.

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The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

22 Comments

  1. Nancy Hutchinson May 8, 2020 at 09:37

    We need help today may 8 got letter that we had to sign for saying we are in foreclosure on home last month we were suppose to be in the good every month they say something else we since we been home because my husband has cancer didactic and had strokes and heart these months we been trying to stay safe and do what is right Wells Fargo sold are mortgage to Rushmore we have like a book of paper that the have been sending since we had to stay home me I had ruptured aneurysm and 3 other operation on aneurysm we really need help my husband is 100 percent veteran please help

  2. Juliana April 22, 2020 at 13:33

    The IRS said they can’t tell me the status of where’s my check because I am a VA recipient. Is this causing a delay? When will our Covid-19 checks from the IRS be released. Thank you for the info/help.

  3. Richard Parris April 20, 2020 at 20:49

    THE FAILURE OF THE VA TO PROVIDE COVID-19 TESTING TO ALL(!!!!!) SERVICE CONNECTED VETERANS IS SHANEFUL! TO REQUIRE SYMPTOMS TO RECEIVE TESTING WHEN WE MAY HAVE IT AND NOT SHOW SYMPTOMS IS IRRESPONSIBLE! NOW YOU WANT US TO PUT FELLOW CITIZENS WE SWORE TO DEFEND AT RISK??!!!!

  4. John Edwards April 20, 2020 at 13:36

    FYI…I just called the debt management telephone number and the information listed above that details two types of debts and above states until further notice is actually for a term of 60 days; from what I was told on the phone that this is the maximize, the blog makes it appear that these debts are suspended until further notice.

  5. Frank E. Howard April 16, 2020 at 11:17

    I have a student loan and I was wondering if they were going to take my taxes because I am behind on the loan. Just wondering if they are on hold?

    Thank you

  6. js April 16, 2020 at 08:32

    Any Veteran who did not file taxes for 2018 pt 2019 because VA benefits are not counted toward gross income can get the stimulus payment by filling out some info on the IRS website below.

    https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

  7. Rodney CARMICHAEL April 16, 2020 at 07:15

    I have been paying back a debt for the past three years. Does this mean I will get a break in MAY?

  8. Shanta Johnson April 16, 2020 at 06:56

    My husband’s bank account was used our taxes. We are not on speaking terms and he has received all of the stimulus funds. Is the portion for me, as a veteran with a disability, coming separately or was it included in the amount that he received? He was given a total of $3,000 and is not sharing any of it with me but made sure to let me know that he got it. Is it possible that my VA portion will be sent to the Direct Deposit that I use for my VA disability pay or did my husband get everything already?

  9. Craig Britt April 16, 2020 at 04:23

    VA
    First, thank you for the VA Debt Management resource. Prior to the outbreak I was a full-time student receiving Post 9/11 education benefits. As schools shuttered for all members of the family (self, spouse, & children) the readjustment and adaptation to the ongoing situation caused a redirection in focus. Needless to say, continuing my personal studies was no longer a priority. With ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions and ‘Distance Learning’ implementation for the children; I am charged with managing all household affairs, including the financial management of increased food consumption, utilities usage, etc. Could you provide examples of how VA proposes to help Veterans like myself in similar situations? According to VA guidelines, if students do not finish the semester they are on the ‘hook’ to repay the assistance. Any direction on this matter would be most helpful and alleviate a lot of anxiety. Thank you.

    • Warren Keith Crutcher April 18, 2020 at 04:46

      Unfortunately if you filed a joint tax return and used his bank account for direct deposit then he got the entire amount. For him to have gotten a total of $3000.00 there must be other dependents involved? It’s $1200.00 per adult and 500 per child 17 and under. That is the Maximum amount that you would get.

    • Warren Keith Crutcher April 18, 2020 at 04:56

      Sorry the comment I made earlier was for Shanta Johnson that posted above you. I’m not used to reply buttons being above the comments.

  10. Colleen D. Loebs April 15, 2020 at 21:52

    I am a survivor. My husband was 100 percent with end renal disease. Be passed in 2018. I currently receive part of his penction and my social security. I moved from Surprise AZ to Mesa, AZ. My expenses have went up and I am living beyond my means. Is there someone whocanhelp me with a budget? My Credit Score is very poor, my car is on its last leg.and I’m getting very depressed. I don’t know what to do. I cry every night. My son lives with me to help around the house. He has helped me when I fall. Please help me get this straightened out? Thank you

  11. Kelley White April 15, 2020 at 21:40

    Hi! I am a disabled veteran 100% service connected. My husband and I filed 2019 taxes, married joint; we neither owed or were receiving a refund. This being the case, even though he has a child support arrears there was no need to file an injured spouse form. The issue now becomes how do I get me economic stimulus check; his portion would be garnished for back child support. Since we filed together I am ineligible to just add my banking information and since he was the main filer, if he uploads his bank info my guess is they won’t release my share of stimulus to his account. Ideas?

  12. PEDRO M MARTINEZ April 15, 2020 at 21:34

    I am a veteran with a 100% total and permanent service connected, and receiving social security due to my disabilities, I don’t fill any income taxes because I am a disabled veteran am I am not require to do so, do I still will get the stimulus check or I have to do something in order to received the money?

    • Warren Keith Crutcher April 18, 2020 at 04:52

      There is a form you can fill out on the IRS web site if your a tax exempt Veteran.

  13. richard maxwell April 15, 2020 at 21:26

    comment to wynona harbison,
    the way to find out about a 3 part honorable discharge is to call the pentagon regular number and ask to speak directly to the J.A.G. flag officer for the navy. you don’t have to be afraid of this person. i had met one in the us coast guard and they are down to earth people. if they give you a lieutenant you have to say to the lt that you would rather speak to admiral in charge of the jag office. he will be of great help because he knows all about military law and will be able to assist you in any matters you are currently having at this time. i am not a law official. i just know who to contact because this is a job for only jag officers can answer.

  14. Sean Louis Casey April 13, 2020 at 21:09

    I am a disabled vet living overseas. I have not filed taxes in years. I was told in order to recieve the stimulus check, I have to file taxes. I do not have an address in the U.S. but I do have my monthly pension check direct deposited. Will I get the stimulus money like my pension check?

    • Joe Schmitt April 14, 2020 at 15:01

      WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET THE CHECK?

      For most people, nothing.

      The money will be directly deposited in your bank account if the government has that information from your tax return. If you haven’t filed your 2019 taxes, the government will use information from your 2018 taxes to calculate your payment and determine where to send it. It can use your Social Security benefit statement as well.

      I DON’T USUALLY HAVE TO FILE TAXES. DO I STILL GET A PAYMENT?

      Yes. People who are not required to file a tax return — such as low-income tax payers, some senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and people with disabilities — will need to file a very simplified tax return to receive the economic impact payment. It provides the government basic details including a person’s filing status, number of dependents and direct-deposit bank information.

      I HAVEN’T FILED MY 2018 OR 2019 TAXES. WILL I STILL GET A PAYMENT?

      Yes, but the IRS urges anyone required to file a tax return and has not yet done so for those years to file as soon as possible in order to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include their direct-deposit banking information on the return if they want it deposited in their account.

      ———

      I DIDN’T USE DIRECT DEPOSIT ON MY TAXES, WHAT CAN I DO?

      The government will default to sending you the check by mail if you did not use direct deposit.

      However, IRS and Treasury say that they will develop an online portal in the coming weeks for individuals to provide their banking information so that they can receive the payments immediately instead of in the mail. It has not yet set a deadline for updating that information.

      ———

      WHERE DO I DO THIS?

      The IRS and Treasury say the website irs.gov/coronavirus will soon provide information about the check, including how people can file a simple 2019 tax return.

    • Randy Luby April 15, 2020 at 21:40

      yes, if you get direct deposit of any federal funds you will get a check

  15. beverly freednan April 13, 2020 at 17:33

    VA I need your help! My wife of over 60 years has been bed ridden for over a year at a help cost of over $2000 per week. I am getting desperate. can you advise ? I am loosing my eye sight and hearing du to an incident in the air force. I have been helped by the great your great organization and I trust once again need help. .Pleas advise.

    • Joe Schmitt April 14, 2020 at 15:16

      Beverly, please research your local Veteran Service Organization Office if you feel you need help in contacting the VA, whether it be Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc. They can help you submit your claim for service connected disability with the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office. Your VSO is there to help you, you are not alone in this. Additionally, the National Veterans Benefits Administration number is: 1-800-827-1000. There are self service options or you can hold for a representative – it sounds like you are seeking claims service, have your SSN handy. They can also do an intent to file over the phone with you. VA is there to help serve you.

  16. Wynona Harbison April 13, 2020 at 13:42

    I like to know how the Department of defense disposed of my military medical records along with W.W.II & before since I served from Aug 1992 thru Feb 1996. I am still stuck at 20% & can not get S.S.D.I. or S.S.I. I would also like to know what a 3 part honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy! I can not find 1 person who knows what it is or what it means, but it has made me feel like I’m radioactive or something. It’s sad not even the retired Navy Administration Officer at the Vet Admin Office don’t know what it is.

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