Payment Problems
Buffalo VA Regional Processing Office (VA-RPO)
If you have any questions regarding your VA education benefits, contact the Buffalo VA RPO at 1-888-GI Bill-1(1-888-442-4551) or visit Ask VA. There have been a few instances whereby erroneous information has been given to the student. Make sure that you write down the date, who you spoke to, and the response that you received. In order for our office to assist you, our office will need this information in the event that we will need to report this; so other VA students do not experience the same problem.
Possible payment problems
If the VA notifies you that you are ineligible for benefits, you should bring the letter to the appropriate APSU Office of Veterans Education Benefits. Other than actual ineligibility, common reasons for VA notification of ineligibility include:
- Insufficient Evidence of contribution to G.I. Bill® or VEAP
- Conflicting information regarding service dates
- Failure of Department of Defense to update eligibility information in computer system *
- Failure to provide the correct chapter number on the application for benefits
- A name change which may make it difficult for VA to identify the veteran
- Confusion associated with multiple family members using benefits (ex., Harvey Holmes, Sr. and Harvey Holmes, Jr. using benefits at the same time)
Documents that may be required to resolve eligibility issues include:
- LES's showing all G.I. Bill® contributions made
- Cash collection voucher showing proof of lump sum contribution
- Copies of all DD214's to reflect ALL periods of service
- Proof of name change (ex., marriage certificate showing both married and maiden name)
*The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not actually determine your eligibility. The VA interprets and acts upon eligibility information maintained and updated by the Department of Defense. Ultimately, it is the Department of Defense that verifies or denies your eligibility to the VA. The VA simply communicates this information to you.
Certification is the school's way of notifying VA that you are enrolled and wish to be certified. You must submit a Certification Request Form every term in order to be certified to VA for payment. You should allow us 10 working days to process your paperwork. Failure to submit requested documents could result in possible delays or even terminations in certification.
Did you submit your Certification Request Form (CRF) for this term? How long ago were you certified? It can take the VA longer to verify new claims and/or process initial payments during certain times of the year. Processing tends to take longer during the fall semester - the highest enrollment period of the year nationwide.
Of course. Late payments will be retroactive to the first day of the term.
When was the transient enrollment certified? Allow VA time to process the second enrollment and add the two training times together.
Changes in enrollment (drop/add/withdrawal) should be reported on the Change in Status (CIS) within 5 working days. Did you report the class adjustment to the APSU Office of Veterans Affairs on the CIS? If so, have you allotted APSU Veterans Education Benefits Office and the VA time to process the adjustment?
You will need to call VA at 1-888-GI Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551)
When did you ETS? Did you provide us with a copy of your DD214? When you ETS, it is the Department of Defense's responsibility to update your duty status in the computer system relied upon by DVA to process your benefit payments. Computer system updates could take up to 90 days. By providing our office with a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy) you can expedite the conversion of your entitlement to "off-duty" pay. In general, allow VA 30 to 60 days to adjust your pay following receipt of the DD214.
This information may or may not be true. Most certifications are submitted to VA electronically. We receive instant verification of receipt of these documents. We would be happy to provide you with a copy, upon written request. The benefit counselors on the 1-888 line may not be able to verify VA's receipt of a document - but they should never say that your school has not submitted it. In general, it takes 1-2 weeks for VA to acknowledge receipt of certification documents.
No. We call and experience the same delays in calling the 1-888-GI Bill-1. You may want to utilize the ask a question through the Ask VA.
You should respond to the overpayment letter within 30 days. Appeal procedures are enclosed in your letter. If you know that you are at fault, you may either pay the DVA directly, or request that the overpayment be deducted from future entitlement.
Effective 1 August 2011, VA no longer pays for the break periods.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).