VA to Refund Money to Survivors

In 1996 Congress passed a law directing that the VA provide a deceased veteran’s full compensation benefit to the spouse on the month of the veteran’s death, but due to an error, the department has continued to demand money back from the survivors.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Daniel Akaka, (D-HI) was recently made aware of the problem by one of his constituents, and he asked the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to look into and fix the problem.

Secretary Jim Peake has set up a special task force is to review VA payment records for veterans who died after Dec. 31, 1996, and are survived by a spouse. The review will identify those to whom VA owes retroactive benefits for the month of the veteran’s death. Current address information is being obtained for as many of these beneficiaries as possible.

According to VA, retroactive payments to eligible surviving spouses will begin by the end of December. Payments will continue to be issued as additional unpaid beneficiaries are identified.

A special Survivors’ Call Center has been established for spouses who believe they may be entitled to this retroactive month-of-death benefit. Surviving spouses are encouraged to contact the Call Center (toll-free) at (800) 749-8387. Call Center agents will assist surviving spouses in providing VA with the information needed to determine their eligibility.

The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm central standard time. Inquiries may also be submitted electronically by going to http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm

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