#Middlebury #Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs called a cease-fire on collection of overpayments between April 2020 and September 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. Now that debt collection has started up again. The VA will not, however, actually make deductions from our benefits until January 2022. In addition, if you had unpaid medical co-payments before April 2020, they’ll start collecting those again.
That must mean the COVID pandemic is over, right? We’re all doing well, grocery prices haven’t soared, gas prices are still low, rents haven’t increased, we all have jobs or at least enough income if a spouse didn’t lose a job … right?
If the VA says you owe money, you’ll receive a debt collection letter. In it will be options for debt relief. You might be offered extended repayment plans, compromises, waivers or temporary suspensions in payment. If you get a letter, address the situation immediately. Don’t delay. There is a time limit to be considered for debt relief.
For benefit debts, call 1-800-827-0648 or go online to ask.va.gov. After signing in, you can track your message all the way from submission to resolution and see all your past messages and responses. You can choose to get a reply back by email, phone or through the U.S. mail. If you have pharmacy co-payment or medical-care debt, call 1-866-400-1238.
Another page to view is www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/, where you can check the status of your debt. Look at www.va.gov/resources/va-covid-19-debt-relief-options-for-veterans-and-dependents/ for more debt-related information and questions.
Before you make any agreements about repayment, read and understand the fine print. A compromise means you’ll pay less than the full amount, but it’s due all at once within 30 days. A waiver means they’ll forgive a portion of the debt.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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