Center for Minority Veterans (CMV)
WWII FVEC Fund Frequently Asked Questions - English
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act authorized the release of a one-time, lump-sum payment to eligible World War II (WWII) Philippine Veterans. The deadline to apply for FVEC benefits was February 16, 2010. The Manila Regional Office is NO longer process any NEW applications. The time for new applications has expired. The Manila Regional Office is working on ONLY applications that are in the current APPEALS status.
- Who was eligible for the one-time payment?
- Where can I apply?
- How will I know if VA is still working on my application?
- How much will I receive if found eligible?
- It was estimated 18,000 Filipino WW II Veterans would be found eligible for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) benefit. How many have been approved for the FVEC benefit thus far?
- How much money has been paid?
- How many FVEC claims are still pending an initial VA decision?
- I am a U.S. citizen, but reside in the Philippines. Will that affect the amount of my payment?
- My late husband died before the law authorizing the one-time payment benefit was passed. May I receive this benefit as his widow?
- My late father was a Veteran who served during WWII. May I receive this benefit as his heir?
- My husband filed a claim for this benefit but died before receiving payment. May I receive his benefit?
- My husband was a U.S. citizen who filed a claim for this benefit but died before receiving payment. I am not a U.S. citizen. Will I receive the $15,000 he was eligible to receive?
- Will receipt of this benefit impact or reduce any other U.S. Government assistance or benefits I receive?
- What is VA doing to expedite FVEC claims processing, considering the advanced age of the applicants?
- I’ve been told these records were burned in the 1973 fire, is this true?
- Are there documents I can submit which will help VA verify my service?
- What if I disagree with your decision on my claim?
- How many FVEC appeals has VA received thus far?
- How many appealed FVEC decisions has the Manila VA Regional Office overturned thus far?
- What has been the primary reason for the Manila VA Regional Office overturning their previous decision on appeal?
- How many appealed FVEC decisions has the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) overturned thus far?
- How do I contact VA?
1. Who was eligible for the one-time payment?
Veterans who served before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. Members of the organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States. Persons who served in the Philippine Scouts under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945.
2. Where can I apply?
The deadline for applying has passed. VA is no longer accepting applications.
3. How will I know if VA is still working on my application?
The VA periodically sends letters to all those with pending FVEC claims. Each claimant is informed in writing of VA’s final decision.
4. How much will I receive if found eligible?
Eligible Veterans who are not United States citizens will receive a one-time payment of $9,000. Eligible Veterans who are United States citizens will receive a one-time payment of $15,000.
5. It was estimated 18,000 Filipino WW II Veterans would be found eligible for the FVEC benefit. How many have been approved for the FVEC benefit thus far?
Please access the latest data on the WWII FVEC Fund web page.
6. How much money has been paid?
Please access the latest data on the WWII FVEC Fund web page.
7. How many FVEC claims are still pending an initial VA decision?
Please access the latest data on the WWII FVEC Fund web page.
8. I am a U.S. citizen, but reside in the Philippines. Will that affect the amount of my payment?
No. The payment amount for eligible Veterans is determined by citizenship, not by residence.
9. My late husband died before the law authorizing the one-time payment benefit was passed. May I receive this benefit as his widow?
No. Only Veterans were eligible to apply.
10. My late father was a Veteran who served during WWII. May I receive this benefit as his heir?
No. Only living Veterans are eligible to apply.
11. My husband filed a claim for this benefit but died before receiving payment. May I receive his benefit?
Yes. If an eligible Veteran filed a claim prior to the deadline, a surviving spouse can claim the benefit if the Veteran passes away before the benefit is paid.
12. My husband was a U.S. citizen who filed a claim for this benefit but died before receiving payment. I am not a U.S. citizen. Will I receive the $15,000 he was eligible to receive?
Yes. The amount of the payment is determined by the citizenship of the eligible Veteran, not by the citizenship of the surviving spouse.
13. Will receipt of this benefit impact or reduce any other U.S. Government assistance or benefits I receive?
No. This is an additional benefit for those eligible and qualified WWII Veterans. It will not change or affect benefits an individual may be receiving under any other Federal or federally assisted program.
14. What is VA doing to expedite FVEC claims processing, considering the advanced age of the applicants?
All FVEC claims are processed in one VA location, at the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines. VA regulations require all claims to VA from Filipino WW II Veterans be processed in its Manila office due to that office’s expertise with Filipino WW II Veterans service, Filipino language skills, and it’s custodianship of historical WW II records needed for proper adjudication. The Manila Regional Office has a dedicated team of 19 employees working full time processing FVEC claims. These employees also assist with expediting all FVEC appeals. The Manila Office often supplements its team of 19 employees with additional employees as FVEC workload demands warrant. VA received over 42,000 claims for the FVEC benefit and has processed all but approximately 1261 of those claims as of November 1, 2010.
15. I’ve been told these records were burned in the 1973 fire, is this true?
There is great deal of misinformation about the 1973 fire at NPRC. The 1973 fire at NPRC did not affect the records of Commonwealth Army Veterans or Recognized Guerillas. Some records for New Philippine Scouts were damaged or destroyed in the fire, however, in most instances the service department can verify New Philippine Scout service using alternative methods.
16. Are there documents I can submit which will help VA verify my service?
For those claiming Guerilla service, submit a copy of AGO Form 23 (Affidavit for Philippine Army Personnel). You can obtain this document from:
The Adjutant General
Chief, Noncurrent Records Division GHQ AFP Camp Aguinaldo
1110 Quezon City
For those claiming USAFEE service, the following documentation may help:
- Troop rosters from 1941 or 1942
- General or special orders dated 1941 or 1942 showing assignment, transfer or promotion
- Record of enlistment in 1941 or 1942
- Receipt of soldiers deposit in 1941 or 1942
- Orders calling reservist to duty in 1941 or 1942
- Original service records including medical records etc.
- Guarantor’s receipt for a released POW
17. What if I disagree with your decision on my claim?
If an individual does not agree with the decision that has been made on his or her claim, he, or she can file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). A NOD is simply a letter stating disagreement with the decision. The NOD must be filed within one year of the date of our letter notifying you of our decision. Any VA Regional Office can assist you in preparing a Notice of Disagreement. Please see our separate information page called “FVEC APPEALS SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION” for more details.
18. How many FVEC appeals has VA received thus far?
Please access the latest data on the WWII FVEC Fund web page.
19. How many appealed FVEC decisions has the Manila VA Regional Office overturned thus far?
Please access the latest data on the WWII FVEC Fund web page.
20. What has been the primary reason for the Manila VA Regional Office overturning their previous decision on appeal?
While on appeal, new service information has been submitted by the Veteran for verification. For example: a statement from the Veteran indicating the correct unit he served in, or the correct spelling of the Veteran’s name during service, or an AGO Form 23 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This new information has then resulted in a positive verification of qualifying service and a grant of the FVEC benefit
21. How many appealed FVEC decisions has the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) overturned thus far?
To date BVA has not overturned any FVEC decisions.
22. How do I contact VA?
Veterans residing in the Philippines can contact the Manila VA Regional Office at 632-528-2500 or toll free at 1-800-1888-5252. Veterans living in the United States can contact the VA by dialing 1-800-827-1000. All Veterans, regardless of where they reside, can contact VA via e-mail by going to Ask VA.
