Veterans Affairs (VA)

The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers information for Veterans and their dependants, as well as the appropriate application forms. If you have questions about VA benefits you can refer to their Frequently Asked Questions on their website. You can also call the U.S. toll free number at 1 800 827-1000. If you prefer to send an email, you can do so by using their Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS).

Applications for VA compensation and /or pension benefits, Education benefits and Vocational Rehabilitations benefits can be submitted online.

Most claims from Australia are handled at the Pittsburgh PA Regional Office. Pension claims are handled at the Philadelphia PA Pension Maintenance Center and Educational claims are handled by the Buffalo NY Regional Office. To contact them you can use the VA Facilities Locator.

Non Receipt of Benefits check

VA benefit checks not received by the end of the month should be reported directly to the U.S. toll free number at 1-800-827-1000 (international calling rates will apply) or you can email them at iris.va.gov. You may also contact the VA Benefits Counselors office in Pittsburgh PA which have access to the main VA computer database and can initiate the check replacement process. They can be reached at 1-412-395-6272 between the hours of 8:30am-4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). There is a time difference of 12 to 14 hours between Australia and Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

When calling or writing, please provide the following information to the VA:

1. Name of the beneficiary (veteran, widow, child of veteran, parent of veteran);
2. VA claim number or Social Security number of the veteran and the payee number if known;
3. Date of the check that is missing;
4. Type of benefit (pension, compensation, education, etc.) if known;
5. Current address of claimant; and
6. Any other pertinent information

If an address was changed since the previous check was issued, the VA will input the new address in their main computer systems. The Dept of Treasury’s payments systems needs to reconcile with the VA’s systems. Once this is done, the Dept of Treasury will reissue the check to the correct address. A change of address must be processed by the 15th of the month to be effective on the next check. If not, please ensure that the postal service has a forwarded address for your mail. Replacement checks can take several weeks to a month to be issued. If the replacement check is returned, benefits may be suspended immediately.

If you are unable to contact VA directly, you may contact American Citizen Services (ACS) unit at the Consulate General serving your area and we will contact the VA on your behalf.

Please note: The ACS unit has no influence or control over how quickly these replacement checks are issued and sent.

Direct Deposit for Veterans Affairs Benefits

If you are receiving monthly Veterans Affairs benefits or pension you may be eligible to have this benefit directly into your Australian bank account. To apply for this service please complete Form SSA-1199-Australia. Please ensure that you clearly notate that it is for Veterans Affairs benefits and include both your Social Security number and your Veterans Affairs file number. Mail the completed form to the Consulate General serving your area, please attention your envelope to the Special Consular Services section.

Last update: Thursday, 17 September 2009 GMT+1000