Required to Contact: New Monthly VA Requirements for GI Bill

For those of us who have served in the military, the GI Bill is a lifeline, offering crucial financial assistance for education. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has always had processes in place for managing these benefits. But now there’s a new requirement: you need to contact the VA every month to receive your payments.

Table of Contents:

• Understanding the New Requirements for GI Bill Users: “Required to Contact”
  • Methods for Verifying Attendance: How It Works
  • Missed Verification and Payment Withholding
• Conclusion

Understanding the New Requirements for GI Bill Users: “Required to Contact”

Since late 2021, the VA implemented a new rule for all Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries: monthly verification of school attendance. If you don’t verify your attendance, you don’t get your housing allowance.

You might be thinking, “Why all the extra steps? The VA already has my enrollment information.” This change stems from the VA’s aim to tighten processes and prevent potential overpayments. They want to confirm you’re actively attending your program and entitled to your monthly housing allowance.

Methods for Verifying Attendance: How It Works

The VA uses text message verification for the majority of students:

1. Enrollment: After enrolling in your courses, the VA sends you a text inviting you to opt into this verification method. Respond “Yes” to proceed.
2. Monthly Check-In: At the end of each month, you get a text asking if you’re still enrolled. Confirming with a simple “Yes” triggers your Monthly Housing Allowance to be sent to your bank at the start of the following month.

Missed Verification and Payment Withholding

Failing to verify attendance for two consecutive months halts your housing allowance. To reinstate it, you’ll have to reach out to the VA directly and go through the verification process.

Think of this new rule as a customer success initiative. Just like you need to verify you’re present to receive your salary, you must verify you’re still a student to receive your allowance. It’s a small step that prevents delays and frustrations later on.

Conclusion

While being required to contact the VA monthly might feel like an extra hoop to jump through, it’s designed to protect you and your benefits. By implementing a simple check-in, the VA can prevent overpayments and make sure you get your rightful benefits on time.

By embracing this change and making monthly verification a part of your routine, you’re contributing to a more efficient system. This system supports veterans during their educational journey and allows the VA to maintain accurate records of your business relationship with them.