October 2015

 Burial Automation ◦ Upon the processing of a First Notice of Death (FNOD), if the Veteran was in receipt of Comp/Pension benefits, VA will automate either the $300 basic NSC burial allowance or the $2000 basic SC burial allowance. ◦ Does not mean claimants will no longer file… Does not automate transportation, plot allowance, or additional NSC burial for VAMC deaths.

 Burial Automation ◦ Receipts/itemized funeral bills no longer required. ◦ Funeral Homes are no longer proper claimant for claims received on or after July 7 th 2014 (except for unclaimed Veterans) ◦ “First to File” – VA no longer dividing burial payments. Benefit paid to the first person who files and is found entitled. ◦ If automated payment is made to the surviving spouse, and we receive an application from another eligible claimant for additional benefits, if it is determined they paid the expenses, the additional benefits can be paid.

 - VA will pay the first living person to file a claim of those listed below:  (1) The veteran's surviving spouse;  (2) The survivor of a legal union between the deceased veteran and the survivor;  (3) The veteran's children, regardless of age;  (4) The veteran's parents or the surviving parent  (5) The executor or administrator of the deceased veteran's estate.

 HUB promulgation Teams ◦ Fiduciary HUBS will now do:  Final findings of incompetency  Release withheld funds.

PMC Processing Team Function Action(s)  When a claim is reviewed by a RVSR and there is a Rating Decision that proposes Incompetency, the Veterans Service Representative (VSR) or designee will perform the following:   VSR or designee prepares Pre-Incompetency letter (date and release) and scans the letter in VVA ◦ Adding the necessary paragraph to send correspondence to the Fiduciary Hub have jurisdiction  RVSR or VSR or designee conducts the Brady Bill Phone and documents the phone call on a report of contact uploaded to Virtual VA   VSR or designee establishes a one-month diary using the, “Local Regional Office – Special use “ with remarks – “Incomp Due Process”   VSR or designee prepares notification to the appropriate Fiduciary Hub regarding the proposed incompetency. (Individual sent to each Fid Hub)  The VSR or designee will upload a copy of the correspondence sent to the Fiduciary Hub to Virtual VA for confirmation purpose that notification of the proposed incompetency was sent to the Fiduciary Hub having jurisdiction over the claim action.

 Fiduciary Hubs:  Issue a final incompetency rating, unless the beneficiary requests a hearing or submits additional evidence challenging the proposed incompetency rating.  Prepare the and schedule Field Examinations with the proposed fiduciary and the beneficiary.  Authorize payment of monthly benefits and/or withheld retroactive benefits to the fiduciary.

 IRS and SSA will provide VA with application income information for pension applicants.  PMC will use this information to verify the income of applicants for original Veterans and survivors pension claims.  In the future upfront verification will be expanded to include additional pension end products.

 Reduce the potential for fraud and vulnerability to abuse.  Reduce or eliminate improper payments caused by the failure to verify a claimants income at the time the PMC determines entitlement to benefits.  Prevent complex, time-consuming, and untimely income verification matching and due process procedures required to suspend or terminate an award.  Reduce debt management workload.

 Coming In the Near Future  Final Rule at AO73www.regulations.gov  Net Worth Limits and Asset Transfers

 Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility(ALF), Independent(Residential)Living Facility(ILF- RLF).  $90.00 Medicaid Nursing Home Rate  When can ILF Room and Board fees be considered Medical Expenses.  Activities of Daily Living(ADLs)

 Must Have A&A or Housebound Rating for Fees to be considered Medical Expenses.  Must have a Statement from Caregiver detailing services and the fees they charge.  If caregiver is a family member, need proof of payment to show they are actually employed in this capacity

 Some DIC Payments Now Automated ◦ 100% S/C for 10 years or more ◦ IU for 10 years or more and have a dependent spouse on their award SBP and Non-Concurrent Payments VAF EZ VA Obligated to Address the Claimant’s Entitlement to DIC, Survivor’s Pension and Accrued Benefits.

For pension claims: VA encourages the use of the VA Form EZ; however, the VA Form and VA Form are also acceptable for pension claims. For DIC and survivor benefits: VA encourages the use of the VA Form EZ; however, the VA Form and VA Form are also acceptable for DIC and survivor benefits.

How to submit an intent to file An intent to file may be received from the claimant or his/her representative:  Electronically via eBenefits or the Stakeholder Enterprise Portal,  Over the phone with a VA National Call Center or other public contact representative or  On the paper VA Form , which may be mailed, faxed or delivered in person.

 Scanning Contractor for Claims and Responses to Development: Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center ATTN: Philadelphia Pension Center PO Box 5206 Janesville, WI Not FTI or IVM Responses Will be scanned into VBMS

FAX Number to PMC: Claims uploaded to VVA.

Special Inquiry Phone Queue: Special Inquiry Phone Queue: VSO Addresses: VSO Addresses: Special PO Box: PO Box Philadelphia, PA Special PO Box: PO Box Philadelphia, PA Special Fax Number: Special Fax Number: Fiduciary Hub (888) Fiduciary Hub (888)