View Full Version : GI Bill "Advance Payment" Payback
Some heads up for folks who got the "Advance Payment". If you haven't got the letter yet, you will.
I am receiving Chapter 33 GI Bill Benefits (Post 9/11).
Due to the tremendous backlog the VA experienced in processing applications, a $3000.00 advance pay was authorized. I took advantage of that program. The VA’s GI Bill website still states: “The payment will be recouped from your future VA payments.”
I received a letter this week, dated 18 Feb. from the VA’s Debt management center stating that my entitlement to educational benifits had changed, and that as a result I had been overpaid by $3000.00. My options were to pay it back in full, or if that is not an option, they will work out a payment plan to clear the debt in a reasonable time frame. They give a 1-800 number to call, but that number is constantly busy.
I called the VA’s GI Bill office this morning, (25 Feb), the representative I spoke to informed me that starting on 1 April $750.00 will be taken out of my “housing allowance.” It’s a done deal. But that I could contact the Debt management office to work out another payment arrangement.
While I do not rely on this “housing allowance” to make ends meet, I do know of other veterans that rely on this payment to keep a roof over their head, and food on the table. I see this as another instance of the Department of Veterans Affairs extending a hand to help a veteran, only to slap him in the face with the same hand.
I have e-mailed my "elected" represenatives in DC and the American Legion who is my "advocate". No response yet.
HMC-FMF-PJ
03-03-2010, 02:41
What is your duty status??
I know a lot of active duty personnel applied and although they are all ineligible, the VA errorneously sent checks to many. Now they are recouping the money through letters as you described.
However, the VA has begun recouping the advance checks to vets too.
DVA finds errors in Post-9/11 GI Bill advanced payments
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123187705
VA Plans to Recoup the $3,000 Advance GI Bill Payments
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D0B16732527E0A9278B0D23F60 A1A50F?diaryId=3745
http://www.vetvoice.com/tag.do?tag=GI+Bill
Advance Payment FAQ
http://www.michiganlegion.org/pdfs/AdvGIBillPayments.pdf
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
Student Checklist
http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/CH33_Student_Checklist.pdf
HMC-FMF-PJ
03-03-2010, 02:52
VA Education Call Center Again Operating Five Days a Week
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1853
February 23, 2010
Temporary Closures Significantly Cut Post-9/11 GI Bill Pending Inventory
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that the Education Call Center, closed on Thursdays and Fridays over the past two months, is again operating five days a week.
VA to Begin Recovery of Post-9/11 GI Bill Advance Payments
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1845
January 23, 2010
WASHINGTON –The Department of Veterans Affairs is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to Veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits.
VA will begin sending out notification letters this week explaining the repayment process.
In October VA instituted an advanced payment process for all eligible students who were currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning for the fall 2009 term to ensure that all Veterans and eligible students were able to focus on their academic studies and not be burdened with financial concerns. ..... At that time student Veterans were told that advance payments would be deducted from future benefit payments.
In collaboration with the Department of Defense, VA will also notify active duty service members who may have mistakenly applied for the advance payment of their options for returning un-cashed checks or reimbursing deposited funds.
VA Plans to Recoup the $3,000 Advance GI Bill Payments
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D0B16732527E0A9278B0D23F60 A1A50F?diaryId=3745
by: Kate Hoit
Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 15:22:37 PM EST
Remember when the Veteran Affairs Department (VA) had a heart and they sent out the $3,000 advance payments of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits? I do, and now they want their money back.
Apparently 122,000 people have received a "warning letter" stating they can have payments recouped from their monthly living stipends at a rate of $750 a month. The deductions will begin April 1 and the advance pay will be repaid in four months. This means your monthly payments will be significantly reduced. .....
For those of you who are not enrolled in a college or university for the spring semester, you need to cough up the money somehow. VA requires a monthly payment plan, and they want their money back within one year. Luckily for you the $3,000 is interest free.
I'm retired, and working on my Masters Degree.
I also work at a State College in Florida, where one of my collateral duties is campus veteran’s advisor.
The letter sent out by the Debt Management Center refers to a letter explaining a change in my Education benefits. No letter was ever generated by the VA. The rep at the GI Bill call center said that the DMC letter was my notification. She also said that the $750.00 / month deduction was a done deal, but I could call to work out other options. Well you can't work anything out if you can't get through.
Getting $750 a month taken out of my housing allowance won't kill me, but I do know of many veterans who rely on this for their day to day living expenses. I'm hoping someone will think this through and try to work out a solution that won't result in veterans dropping out of school because of this payment.
Da-Chief
03-04-2010, 20:08
I got my letter as well, I am going to be on the phone with them (I hope) tomorrow.. Hell I just got out of HOCK due to the issue from last semester now they want to do this?
;-)
HMC-FMF-PJ
03-05-2010, 01:59
It is my understanding you could negotiate a repayment as low as $250-$300/month....
Maybe with the return of the telephone operators to their phones you will be able to get through now to speak with a semi-helpful individual. (remember that everyone has a boss if the first person isn't helpful)
GOOD LUCK!
I've been calling since I received the letter. Constant busy signal.
I contacted my congresscritters in DC. Got a privacy act form to sign for both senators, haven't heard squat from the Represenative.
I also contacted the American Legion. Just a reply that they got my e-mail but nothing else.
I've also posted this on other forums where I'm a member. Lots of discussion, none of it very positive.
I'll keep y'all in the loop. I'm on spring break next week, more time to call.
Education Advance Payment recoupment begins April 1, 2010. VA will collect $750 per payment. If you would like to apply for a reduced payment plan and are experiencing trouble reaching the Debt Management Center, you may e-mail, fax or mail them your request.
YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FOR REDUCTION OF THE AMOUNT OFFSET BEFORE 10:00 AM, CDT, MARCH 23, 2010, TO HAVE THE REDUCED AMOUNT APPLY TO YOUR APRIL 1, 2010 EDUCATION BENEFIT PAYMENT. ALL REQUESTS FOR REDUCTIONS IN OFFSET ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY DEBT MANAGEMENT CENTER.
http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/DMC.pdf (http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/DMC.pdf)
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