As East Coast residents begin the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, we want to be sure you know what to do if your benefits were affected.
If you have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy, you should change your contact address with VA. You can do this within eBenefits, by contacting your closest VA Regional Office, or calling 1-800-827-1000.
If you have a VA Guaranteed Home Loan and that home received storm damage, you should read this fact sheet. The fact sheet also contains information for mortgage lenders and servicers regarding loans for homes guaranteed by VA that might have been damaged by Sandy.
If you receive monthly payments from VA, such as disability compensation, GI Bill living stipend, or others, you should experience no delay in payment if you receive an electronic funds transfer (EFT). Benefits due on November 1 were distributed as normal and should be available to you.
If you are in an impacted area and receive a monthly paper check through the mail, there is a possibility your check could be delayed or undeliverable as a result of storm damage. If you have not yet received a scheduled payment, call our toll-free number: 1-800-827-1000. Additionally, if you are experiencing financial hardship, you can visit a VA Regional Office and obtain a replacement check. However, please call our toll-free number and speak with a call agent before visiting a regional office.
It’s important to remember that obtaining a replacement check can result in a duplicate payment. If you receive a replacement check and then later receive your original check, you should return the original to the U.S. Treasury. Not returning the check could result in non-payment of benefits the following month.
If you aren’t sure how Hurricane Sandy may have affected the delivery of your check, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for the latest information on post office services. Customers can also get the latest post office service information on the web.
Many local Veterans Service Organizations also offer assistance to Veterans in need. Contact local offices of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America,
Samantha O’Neil is a communications specialist with the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Topics in this story
More Stories
Army Veteran Malika Montgomery says one of the things that helped her live her best life with multiple sclerosis was surrounding herself with positive people.
Acknowledging the issues that Veterans face and working toward solutions is crucial for ensuring they have the support they need to thrive in civilian life.
Last year, Move United hosted 26 adaptive sports competitions in 22 states for 1,537 individual athletes. This year, that number is increasing to 35 events in 24 states for even more Veteran athletes.
Hi, I am a member of the MOPH and PLAV in other words a concerned veteran, is there either a post or chapter that we as veterans can help that has the funds to help. Please post something for us to do so.
Thank You.
Looking to donate/volunteer for an organization that benefits veterans affected by Hurricane Sandy. Is there such a thing? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Mandy,
You should check out Team Rubicon: http://teamrubiconusa.org/
I don’t any where near the eaat coast, so there shouldn’t be any reason my claim is still just sitting around wait for someone to pay attention to it. When I called the 1-800-827-1000 number I was told my claim has been rated and it is wait for a supervisor to check it and sign off on it. All of this checking, re-checking, and checking and re-checking again is too much. On ebenefit the deadline for the estimated time was 10/31/2012 and that has past. If the people working at the VARO can’t keep up with there estimated deadlines then they don’t need the job. Why is there a estimated deadline date on ebenefit and when the deadline has been reached my claim hasn’t moved any faster? Also, there is no why for a vet to check with a supervisor or a manager to make sure the ones who are working on your claim is doing a good job.
And there still is no word yet on when the New York City VA Regional Office will reopen.
I am currently awaiting an expedited decision due to financial hardship and homelessness.
Does anyone know when the office will reopen?
Thank You.
The New York City VA Regional Office opened on Thursday 11-09-2012.
Thank you.
I have not received my disability direct deposit for this month. What do I do? I need to pay my rent.
My husband receives funds from the Montgomery GI Bill. He started school in September, school was paid for. He received money in October just fine and now nothing for November. Is there a reason for this or some sort of time frame when this will be corrected and the money will be deposited?
Is the Manhattan Vet Center open? I tried calling but hear the circuits are busy. Thank you.
My husband and I live in different states, we are not legally separate and still have been married for over twenty – seven years.
Our son and I live in a rental house in Nassau County New York that was totally destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, after loosing everything we are now displaced.
We are now destitute and living in a hotel and our savings significantly depleted, is there some type of assistance for military family we can receive and/or eligible for resulting from this tremendous disaster as my husband is a military veteran with a honorable discharge from the army?
Daaaaaaaaamn youuuuu,,, I really need that the judge look at my appeal I have a claim since 2001 now in 2012 and is an appeal that shouldn’t be an appeal for the 1st place, all my medical records are there, all my injuries and illness are when I was in the military, I don’t have nothing to hide, everytime I call to the VBA the saying the judge hasn’t pick it up yet, I understand if they going by docket number, I look on line and I see newest docket number in front of mine and it’s no fair that VBA overlook mine, I am in really bad shape with this storm sandy and still have to wait for what I earned and deserve with my military carrier??? this is unnapceptable,,,
“If you receive monthly payments from VA, such as disability compensation, GI Bill living stipend, or others, you should experience no delay in payment if you receive an electronic funds transfer (EFT). Benefits due on November 1 were distributed as normal and should be available to you” <<<—- This scripted line is what many of us Va GIBill/Post/9/11 Vets have been told upon numerous occasion. This Is a flat out lie. If the Vet, personally verifies with the Vet. Benefits liaison at their particular institution that they have been certified for said quarters. Do not feed us these lies stating we are going to be paid on time especially in the event of a national disaster. We would rather be told it is gonna be late then oh its on the way it should be there, or giving blatant lies.
I live in Kentucky and have not been affected by Hurricane Sandy. That said, I should repeal that statement–I have not yet received my monthly disability check (EFT) deposited. I am having to use my small savings to pay bills that are auto-pay on the 1st or 2nd. Where is my check?
I live in New Jersey and have VA home loan I got hit really bad a tree felt on my deck, some of the roof shingles blew out, parts of my fence came down, I have no electricity so I don’t have heating, I called Red Cross explain that I’m a Disable Veteran and I have 8 years old daughter and in need of heating not more for me but for my daughter and the guy who answer the phone starts laughing saying that everybody is in the same situation, I hang the phone because I feel that is no the way to treat a veteran with 8 years old child, this attitude make me think about helping Red Cross next time!!! In regard about my deck damage what I can do???
Juan,
I’m really sorry that you were greeted that way by the Red Cross. They could have at least provided other resources to speak with.
About your home…I pray that you have homeowner’s insurance. The first thing you need to do is take pictures of ALL DAMAGE IN AND AROUND THE HOME. Call your homeowner’s insurance and request that a claims agent come to evaluate the damage.
If you do not have homeowner’s insurance, call FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) or call your local government, like the Mayor’s office. They should be able to lead you in the correct direction.
Good Luck,
Neslo Ventures, LLC
@Neslo:
Thank you for the info, and I don’t mind myself because I am a veteran mostly in combat arms and I was in all kind of weather; s ow, rain, heat I saw everything but my 8 years daughter just starting to see all kind of weather. Thank you again for your concern!
Juan: I’m very sorry to hear that you were negatively impacted by the storm and hope you get your power back very soon. As far as damage to your deck, your lender is required to ensure there is hazard insurance on your property. In fact, part of your mortgage payment goes towards insurance. You should contact your loan servicer and ask who your insurance is with, and then either your servicer, or you, can contact them. Again we’re very sorry for what you’re experiencing.