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Request VA financial hardship assistance

If you lost your job or if you have a sudden decrease in income or an increase in out-of-pocket family health care expenses, we can help. Read this page to find out how to request help with current VA copay bills or an exemption from future copays.

What can I do if I can’t afford to pay my current VA copay bills?

You can request either of the 2 financial hardship assistance options on this page, depending on your situation. To avoid late charges, including interest and other fees, you’ll need to take action within 30 days of receiving your bill.

Learn more about VA late charges and debt collection

Option 1: Request help to get debt relief

If you don’t think you can pay your copay bills, you can request help.

You can request one of these types of debt relief:

  • Request a waiver for all or part of your balance. If we accept your request, we’ll stop collection and forgive your debt.
  • Make a compromise offer. If we accept your offer, we’ll agree on a smaller, one-time payment to resolve your debt.

If we accept part or all of your request, you won’t have to pay the amount of the balance we agree to relieve. 

Online

You can request debt relief for copay bills online now.

Request help with copay bills

By mail or in person

You can also request debt relief by mail or in person.

Fill out a Financial Status Report (VA Form 5655).

Get VA Form 5655 to download

Write a letter describing the financial issues that make it hard for you to pay your copay debt. If you want to request a hearing to help explain your financial issues, include this request in your letter.  

Submit your completed form and supporting letter to the business office or health administration office at your nearest VA medical center.

Find the address of your nearest VA medical center

 

Option 2: Set up a repayment plan to pay your bills over time

If you can’t pay your copay bills all at once, you can set up a monthly repayment plan at any time. We’ll review your proposed payment plan based on the amount of money you owe and your ability to pay within a reasonable time. We usually require you to pay off the full debt within 3 years.

To set up a repayment plan, fill out an Agreement to Pay Indebtedness (VA Form 1100). 

In paragraph 1A, tell us how much you can pay each month.

Get VA Form 1100 to download

Then submit your completed form and any other needed documentation to us. You can send these by mail, or bring them in person, to the business office or health administration office at your nearest VA medical center.

Find the address of your nearest VA medical center

What to do after we approve your repayment plan

After we approve your repayment plan, you can begin sending your monthly payments. If you receive a coupon book with your approved repayment plan, please send payments to the address on the coupon. You can also make a payment by mail or in person at your VA medical center’s revenue office.

What to do if you receive new charges

Repayment plans don’t include new charges you may receive after submitting your proposed plan. If you submit your plan and then receive a bill with new charges, submit a new VA Form 1100 for the new charges.

If you keep receiving new charges, call us at 866-400-1238 (TTY: 711) every 90 days to request a new repayment plan. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. 

What if my income has decreased and I won’t be able to pay future copays?

You may be eligible for a hardship determination, which would qualify you for a copay exemption. This means we’ll assign you to a higher priority group, and you won’t have to pay any VA copays for the rest of the calendar year.

To request a VA hardship determination and copay exemption:

  1. Fill out a Request for Hardship Determination (VA Form 10-10HS).

    Get VA Form 10-10HS to download

  2. Write a letter explaining why you’re requesting a hardship determination.

    The letter should describe the financial issues that make it hard for you to pay your copays.

  3. Submit your completed form and letter to us.

    You can send these by mail, or bring them in person, to the business office or health administration office at your nearest VA medical center.

    Find the address of your nearest VA medical center

Note: A hardship copay exemption doesn’t apply to copays for pharmacy medications.

If you need more information or help with filling out your forms, call us at 866-400-1238 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.