I'm puzzled by what looks like a contradiction in the required mailing address for the A&A application. On the How to Apply page, it says that the mailing addresses are all in Janesville, WI. Can this be correct?
Frank, the VA is in a transition process for changing their addresses to file for pension benefits. Right now it would be best to send new applications to the Janesville, WI address and then follow up 30 days later by calling the VA to make sure the application has been received. This can also be assured by mailing return receipt. For current correspondence to the VA if you've already submitted an application go ahead and keep sending to the original address you sent your application.
Well...here's some more confusion. I sent the intent to file form to the VA's Philadelphia address and received a letter back today dated August 19th acknowledging receipt. However, an enclosure to the letter titled "Where to Send Your Written Correspondence" gives yet another address for Virginia and many other states. It is: Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 5235, Newnan, GA 30271-0020. Locations included under this address are: AL, CT, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, Puerto Rico, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Palau, Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia. For all other states and foreign addresses, the enclosure provides this address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 5235, Janesville, WI 53547-4444
Frank, that is very interesting. Thank you for letting us know here on the forums. I can see the confusion! Unfortunately that comes quite often when working with the VA. If the letter with "Where to Send your Written Correspondence" says to send any correspondence to that address, then I suppose you should do so. Since you sent an Intent to File, I think when you are ready to send in the full application you might want to send to the claims centers we have listed on our How to Apply page here depending on your state: http://www.veteranaid.org/apply.php That is the advice we were given from a person at the VA. As far as I know, since we have made these address changes on the site, they have been getting to the right place. Just make sure to mail everything return receipt, and while the VA is in this transition process I would call maximum 30 days after you send your application if you haven't heard from them to make sure they have received your application.
Once again...more confusion on mailing addresses. Despite the fact that I sent the application to the Newnan, GA address above as directed by the VA, I learned from the USPS website where one tracks certified/return receipt packages that it arrived in Newnan but was subsequently FORWARDED to Janesville, WI, where it was then picked up! One has to wonder why you wouldn't just send it to Janesville in the first place.
That is most confusing. But I'm glad to at least hear it got forwarded to the appropriate location and the Janesville, WI addresses we have listed on our How to Apply page seem to be correct.
Getting ready to submit "intent to file" 21-0966 and "auth to disclose" 21-0845 for my 88 yr old mother who resides in an ALF in Arizona. Should documents still go to St. Paul Pension Maint. Center in Janesville,WI? Currently, the VA website shows PO Box 11000, St Paul,MN. Would be nice to get the process started off in the right direction!
Right now we advise people to send their applications to the updated address we have on our How to Apply page here, depending on what state the applicant lives in. However, because the VA is in a transition process in moving the addresses where the applications should be sent, we highly advise you mail return receipt and keep a complete copy of the application for yourself. Follow up with the VA after one month if you have not gotten any notification that it has been received by the pension center you mail to with the return receipt to make sure they have it. AL, AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, TN, WI Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: Milwaukee Pension Center PO Box 5192 Janesville, WI 53547-5192 AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: St. Paul Pension Center PO Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365 CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: Philadelphia Pension Center PO Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Many thanks for the verification of address. Return Receipt date stamp from the VA shows date of Oct. 17. Should I be expecting an acknowledgment from the VA regarding the Intent to File? Hoping to be ready to file the completed form within the next month. NPRC was fast and already have received certified DD214 for my deceased father.
I would say so, yes. If you don't receive any acknowledgement within the next couple of weeks I would go ahead and call them to verify they have the Intent to File in their files. You're welcome! Best of luck.
Acknowledgment from the VA arrive today- just shy of 4 weeks from date stamped receipt. You guys have their timeline pretty well figured out!