Question re: Check for A&A received! $4224.00 (4x1056) with next check

[MJ]

due Dec 1 for $1056.00.
Question is: this payment came in the mail as a paper check! I requested the direct  deposit option- sent in the voided check etc. I am wondering does this warrant a call to the VA to get this cleared up or does the first (retroactive) check always come this way?

Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks in advance for your input!
MJ

[pologal1979]

check your letter, does it state that direct deposit has been set up and you will get 1 or 2 paper checks in the mail before direct deposit hits? 

or, does your letter solicit for direct deposit?

if it is the second option, then call the number listed to get direct deposit set up.  the claimant must be there to give their permission for you to speak with the VA if you call. 

or you can send in a statement with a copy of a voided check and request direct deposit to be set up.  Have the claimant sign it too.

[MJ]

check your letter, does it state that direct deposit has been set up and you will get 1 or 2 paper checks in the mail before direct deposit hits? (no it does not mention that at all, it does state in the list of documents that they say the received that they got a photocopy of Voided Check for Direct Deposit Request)[/color]or, does your letter solicit for direct deposit?

if it is the second option, then call the number listed to get direct deposit set up.  the claimant must be there to give their permission for you to speak with the VA if you call. (even if I am the Claimant's Representative - form 21-22a?)

or you can send in a statement with a copy of a voided check and request direct deposit to be set up.  Have the claimant sign it too.

[jpappas755]

MJ & Mom,

Congratulations!  Anyone who has battled for & received this benefit for their loved one has gone the extra mile.

I just sent in the application for my 88 Y/O, WW-II veteran father (who is in assisted living in Phoenix 600 miles away) ,& it was received 12, Nov. (USPS "received" & signed for by VA official).  As of today, I have not received a "formal" response from the VA.

My question is...if you used form 21-22a, presumably to delegate Power of Attorney to you the daughter, why would the VA be sending precious & valuable papers (and the check nevertheless) directly to your mother and not to you?

I have a very deep concern that any communication and monetary checks from the VA should go through the POA designees.   You cannot trust an assisted living facility to deliver valuable documents.


Why then did the VA send your mom the communication & check directly rather than to you?  This is just inconsistent with logical thinking. 

Thanks for your consideration and again, congratulations!

JP
Denver

[nananorma]

I think until you go through the fiduciary process they will send everything to the claimant.  I just checked my mother's mailbox at the assisted living facility almost every day when I knew VA correspondence should be coming.  She'd get mail, take it to her room, and I'd just have to look around to find things.  When you are appointed fiduciary, you will have to set up an account for the direct deposit that reads "Beneficiary's Name, by Your Name, Custodian of VA Beneficiary" - not a joint account.  Good luck finding a bank that will do it without a court order.  In our area, I was denied such an account by Chase, Bank of American, American National.  The VA Rep in Waco, TX told me to try Wells Fargo, and they were very helpful in setting up the proper account.  It took me a year to get direct deposit started - and what got it finally done was a lost check.  The VA's response was that if I had direct deposit it wouldn't have happened!  I had sent in numerous forms and voided checks and never knew why it never got started.  It was a joint account and they wouldn't recognize it. Of course, I had to go through all the hassle of changing all direct deposits - social security, pension, etc.

[MJ]

I get copied on everything the VA sends to my Mom - no problems there. The check is supposed to be direct deposited to her account.. I have read on here that sometimes it takes a couple of months to get that going... I thought I would wait it out before trying to call the VA....
Wish you the best in getting fast response to your Dad's claim!