How Can Veterans Prove Financial Hardship To VA?

For most veterans, the conventional process of claiming VA disability benefits is time-consuming. If they require immediate financial aid, the extended waiting period of the typical benefits procedure can lead to more financial uncertainty, skipped medical appointments, and other unfavorable outcomes.

Thankfully, the VA allows veterans to complete specific forms and apply for financial hardship. Let's understand what financial hardship is and how to prove your financial hardship to the VA for a favorable benefits claims decision.

How Does The VA Explain Financial Hardship?

As per the VA, financial hardship indicates a severe necessity. You need the monthly disability compensation from the VA at an accelerated pace.

To demonstrate your financial hardship to the VA, you can present the following indications:

• You are in danger of eviction
• Your home is at risk of being foreclosed upon
• You are filing for bankruptcy
• The lender has taken back your vehicle
• Your utilities were disconnected due to the inability to cover the expenses
• You are incapable of covering essential living expenses, such as food and medical bills

How A Veteran Can Prove Their Financial Hardship To The VA?

Follow the following steps to demonstrate financial hardship to the VA and speed up your VA benefits claim.

Request For Hardship Determination Form(10-10HS)

Form 10-10HS serves as the designated Request for Hardship Determination form. It's essential to furnish your name, military records, identification details, evidence of service-connected disabilities, and other pertinent information. Supplying more information expedites the VA's verification process and accelerates the decision regarding your benefits claim.

Submit Form 5655 To VA

If you're seeking financial assistance from the VA, like debt relief, you must also complete Form 5655. This form essentially communicates your present financial status to the VA.

Keep in mind that it's not utilized for the accelerated claims process. Nonetheless, it can be beneficial if you need VA support for particular financial requirements, such as debt negotiations or medical debt waiver.

The VA can provide aid for expenses not covered and offer supplementary VA disability benefits when backed by supporting documentation at VA health and medical centers. It could potentially qualify you and your dependents for additional veterans services, with some consideration for household income.

Gather All Necessary Evidence Proving Your Financial Hardship

Nevertheless, you'll have to gather evidence substantiating your financial hardship before the VA proceeds to accelerate your claim. Various types of evidence are available for collection. For instance, a court's bankruptcy ruling can indicate your severe financial difficulties and urgent need for assistance.

Additionally, examples of evidence demonstrating financial hardship include:

• A notice of repossession pertaining to personal assets, like your car or residence.
• A notice of foreclosure regarding your residence
• Letters from creditors indicating substantial debt owed or their pursuit of outstanding debts from you
• Eviction notices
• Any additional notices indicating the discontinuation of utility services, such as water and electricity

Submit Every Form To The VA In Order To Get Favorable Claims Decision

After gathering all the pertinent evidence and completing the abovementioned applicable forms, you should submit them to the VA. It can be done by visiting your nearby VA office in person or through the VA's website.

Opting for online filing is advisable since the VA will receive your details promptly and can respond to you electronically. If you choose to file via mail, be ready to wait for a few additional days before receiving a response, at the very least.

Upon approval of your claim, you will attain financial hardship status. It implies that the VA will fast-track your VA claim, receiving prompt attention beyond the usual timeframe.