Frequently Asked Questions
Debt Management Center
ADVANCED EDUCATION PAYMENTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Please see below for other subjects)
I received notification that I have to pay back my advance education payment. Why?
For the Fall 2009 term, VA issued advance payments to individuals under several of its education programs. At the time you received the advance payment, you were advised that the advance payment would need to be repaid. The Debt Management Center is responsible for the collection of the advance payments.
I returned the advance payment already. Can you check my record and verify you received my check?
VA will shortly process all returned payments for credit to the appropriate accounts. If the payment does not get credited, the Debt management Center can research that for you.
Can I send a personal check or money order now?
Do not send your payment until you receive notification from the Debt Management Center. You will be provided with a remittance slip and return envelope for your payment. You will also be advised regarding other payment options that are available.
I still have my check, can I return it?
Yes. If you received a U.S. Treasury check please return it to the following address:
U. S. Department of Treasury
Financial Management Service
PO Box 51318
Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318
If you received a check from a regional office please return it to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Resource Management (241C)
810 Vermont Avenue
Washington DC 20420
Can I apply for a waiver?
When your account is established, you will receive a notification letter from the Debt Management Center, with an enclosure entitled Notice of Rights and Obligations. This notice will explain what a waiver is and what VA needs to process it.
What do I do if you are recouping my benefits and it is creating a hardship?
Contact a representative at our toll-free number to discuss what options are available to you. Our toll-free number is 1-(800)-827-0648.
What do I do if I don't get a letter telling me that I need to repay the advance payment?
VA is sending the letters out in phases. You will first receive a letter from the Director of VA's Education Service, then a second letter will come from the Debt Management Center. Our letter will explain your rights and provide you with repayment options.
MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING ADVANCE PAYMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT http://www.gibill.va.gov/advpayrecovery.htm.
OTHER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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How do I go about getting my Certificate of Eligibility? Is it possible to get a listing of VA properties for sale in my area?
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What steps do I need to take to request a waiver of my debt? Is there a specific form I need to use to do so?
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Is it possible to make payments on my debt, or set up partial withholding from my benefits in order to repay this debt?
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I don’t understand how I was overpaid. Can you send me an audit of my account?
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What gives you the authority to take my Social Security benefits?
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Why are you taking my Social Security benefits when you could be offsetting my monthly VA benefits?
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Can I have the offset from my Social Security benefits reduced?
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Can I make payments instead of having my Social Security benefits offset?
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Why was my account turned over to the Department of the Treasury?
The best source of information for getting a Certificate of Eligibility is the VA Eligibility Centers. VA Regional Offices can be reached toll-free at 1 800 827-1000 for general information about the home loan program. Information about VA properties for sale can be found on the Home Loan Guaranty Services website.
To request a waiver, you need to state, in writing, that you want to request “waiver of collection” (use those exact words) and the reasons you feel you should not be held liable for the debt. You should explain the circumstances leading to the overpayment and the steps you took to prevent the overpayment from occurring. You should also complete and return the Financial Status Report that was enclosed with your notification letter.
Monthly payments or withholdings from benefits can be accepted if they will clear the debt in a reasonable timeframe. If your proposed repayment plan will take longer than a year to repay your debt, you need to complete and return the Financial Status Report, which was enclosed with your notification letter.
Submit this form along with your proposed repayment plan by mail or fax to:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Debt Management Center
P.O. Box 11930
St. Paul, MN 55111
(612) 970-5688 (fax)
We will notify you if your plan is acceptable, and when the withholding will start, or when you should begin making your payments.
4. I don’t understand how I was overpaid. Can you send me an audit of my account?
You can call our toll-free number 1 800 827-0648, and explain to the operator that you would like an audit or your overpayment. The audit will also include your repayment options.
5. What gives you the authority to take my Social Security benefits?
Authority comes from the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
6. Why are you taking my Social Security benefits when you could be offsetting my monthly VA benefits?
Your account was sent to the Department of the Treasury for their offset program prior to resumption or initial payment of your monthly VA benefits. We will not stop offset of other Federal payments you receive now or in the future. We must utilize a guaranteed source of collection until the debt is paid in full. If offset of both your VA benefits and Social Security is creating a financial hardship, you may request a reduction in the total amount being withheld. To do so, complete a Financial Status Report and send it to the Debt Management Center. Make sure you complete item 24B.
Mail or fax the completed form to:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Debt Management Center
P.O. Box 11930
St. Paul, MN 55111
612-970-5688 (fax)
7. Can I have the offset from my Social Security benefits reduced?
We will review your account for possible reduction once we receive a completed Financial Status Report. You must write an amount you want VA to consider for possible offset on the Report.
8. Can I make payments instead of having my Social Security benefits offset?
The Department of the Treasury will continue to offset a portion of your Social Security payments even if you make voluntary payments directly to VA. The Government must utilize a guaranteed source of collection if one is available. However, making voluntary payments could serve to reduce the additional fees you must pay to the Treasury for their collection services.
9. Why was my account turned over to the Department of the Treasury?
Your account was turned over to the Department of the Treasury because the account was seriously delinquent and you were not responding to our requests for payment.
