Keeping Up With Your Benefits After Hurricane Sandy

As East Coast residents begin the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, we want to be sure you know what to do if your benefits were affected.

If you have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy, you should change your contact address with VA. You can do this within eBenefits, by contacting your closest VA Regional Office, or calling 1-800-827-1000.

If you have a VA Guaranteed Home Loan and that home received storm damage, you should read this fact sheet. The fact sheet also contains information for mortgage lenders and servicers regarding loans for homes guaranteed by VA that might have been damaged by Sandy.

If you receive monthly payments from VA, such as disability compensation, GI Bill living stipend, or others, you should experience no delay in payment if you receive an electronic funds transfer (EFT). Benefits due on November 1 were distributed  as normal and should be available to you.

If you are in an impacted area and receive a monthly paper check through the mail, there is a possibility your check could be delayed or undeliverable as a result of storm damage.  If you have not yet received a scheduled payment, call our toll-free number: 1-800-827-1000. Additionally, if you are experiencing financial hardship, you can visit a VA Regional Office and obtain a replacement check.  However, please call our toll-free number and speak with a call agent before visiting a regional office.

It’s important to remember that obtaining a replacement check can result in a duplicate payment. If you receive a replacement check and then later receive your original check, you should return the original to the U.S. Treasury. Not returning the check could result in non-payment of benefits the following month.

If you aren’t sure how Hurricane Sandy may have affected the delivery of your check, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for the latest information on post office services.   Customers can also get the latest post office service information on the web.

Many local Veterans Service Organizations also offer assistance to Veterans in need. Contact local offices of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America,

Samantha O’Neil is a communications specialist with the Veterans Benefits Administration.

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