The VA accepts benefit applications by phone at 1-800-827-1000. You can also apply by visiting the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs or by applying online at these websites:<\/p>\n
Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) are VA-recognized organizations here to help guide you through your VA benefits claims process. They may assist you in preparing, presenting, and prosecuting your claims.<\/p>\n
Baton Rouge<\/strong><\/p>\n 1755 Florida Blvd., 3rd Floor<\/p>\n Baton Rouge, LA 70802<\/p>\n Phone: (225) 342-5248<\/p>\n Belle Chasse<\/strong><\/p>\n 333 F. Edward Hebert Blvd.,<\/p>\n Building 600<\/p>\n Belle Chasse, LA 70036<\/p>\n Phone: (504) 934-6110<\/p>\n Bogalusa<\/strong><\/p>\n City Hall Building,<\/p>\n 202 Arkansas Ave.<\/p>\n Bogalusa, LA 70427<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 732-6607<\/p>\n Breaux Bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n 101 Berard St.<\/p>\n Breaux Bridge, LA 70517<\/p>\n Phone: (337) 332-8316<\/p>\n Chalmette<\/strong><\/p>\n 8201 W. Judge Perez Dr.<\/p>\n Chalmette, LA 70043<\/p>\n Phone: (504) 324-7982<\/p>\n Covington<\/strong><\/p>\n 1301 N. Florida St.<\/p>\n Covington, LA 70433<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 893-6201<\/p>\n Gonzales<\/strong><\/p>\n Ascension Parish Governmental Annex<\/p>\n 828 S. Irma Blvd<\/p>\n Gonzales, LA 70737<\/p>\n Phone: (225) 644-7475<\/p>\n Greensburg<\/strong><\/p>\n 53 N. Second St.,<\/p>\n Health Unit Building<\/p>\n Greensburg, LA 70441<\/p>\n Phone: (225) 222-6202<\/p>\n Hahnville<\/strong><\/p>\n Parish Courthouse,<\/p>\n 15045 River Rd.<\/p>\n Hahnville, LA 70057<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 783-2221<\/p>\n Hammond<\/strong><\/p>\n 15481 W. Club Deluxe Rd.<\/p>\n Hammond, LA 70403<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 602-9085<\/p>\n Houma<\/strong><\/p>\n 1190 Barrow St.<\/p>\n Houma, LA 70360<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 857-3626<\/p>\n Jefferson<\/strong><\/p>\n Yenni Building,<\/p>\n 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Ste. 337<\/p>\n Jefferson, LA 70123<\/p>\n Phone: (504) 731-4580<\/p>\n Livingston<\/strong><\/p>\n 20140 Iowa St.<\/p>\n Livingston, LA 70754<\/p>\n (225) 686-3295\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Lutcher<\/strong><\/p>\n 2430 Louisiana Ave.<\/p>\n Lutcher, LA 70071<\/p>\n Phone: (225) 869-3643<\/p>\n Marrero<\/strong><\/p>\n 5001 West Bank Expressway, Ste. C1<\/p>\n Marrero, LA 70072<\/p>\n Phone: (504) 349-5937<\/p>\n Mathews<\/strong><\/p>\n 4876 Hwy 1<\/p>\n Mathews, LA 70375<\/p>\n (985) 447-0968<\/p>\n Napoleonville<\/strong><\/p>\n 4751 Highway 1<\/p>\n Napoleonville, LA 70390<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 369-6335<\/p>\n New Orleans<\/strong><\/p>\n City Hall,<\/p>\n 1300 Perdido St., Room BE12<\/p>\n New Orleans, LA 70112<\/p>\n Phone: (504) 658-2930<\/p>\n New Roads<\/strong><\/p>\n 160 E. Main St.<\/p>\n New Roads, LA 70760<\/p>\n (225) 638-5535<\/p>\n Plaquemine<\/strong><\/p>\n Iberville Council on Aging,<\/p>\n 58105 Court St.<\/p>\n Plaquemine, LA 70764<\/p>\n (225) 687-2714<\/p>\n Port Allen<\/strong><\/p>\n West Baton Rouge Courthouse Annex,<\/p>\n 883 7th St.<\/p>\n Port Allen, LA 70767<\/p>\n Phone: (225) 342-6686<\/p>\n Slidell<\/strong><\/p>\n 520 Old Spanish Trail, Ste. 2-E<\/p>\n Slidell, LA 70458<\/p>\n Phone: (985) 645-3500<\/p>\n Yes. The VA will request the medical records you told them about when you applied. If you visit a new facility, you should call the VA to update them at 1-800-827-1000.\u00a0 The VA may decide to schedule an appointment for a Compensation & Pension exam at your local VA clinic or hospital or via telehealth. It is very important that you attend any exam the VA schedules for you. You can call the VA to check the status of your application or you may wish to create an account at VA\/DoD eBenefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n The VA offers two types of home loans: VA Direct Home Loans and VA-Backed Home Loans.<\/p>\n The VA serves as your mortgage lender for a VA Direct Home Loan. They will work directly with you to apply for and manage your loan.<\/p>\n For a VA-Backed Home Loan, the VA guarantees a portion of your loan from a private lender. If you default or foreclose on your VA-backed loan, the VA will repay the lender the guaranteed percentage. You will likely have better terms than those for a conventional mortgage. This is because the lender assumes less risk for the loan due to the VA guarantee. However, you must also meet the lender\u2019s credit and income requirements.<\/p>\n Your eligibility is based on your service history and duty status. You will need to request a certificate of eligibility (COE). You will need a copy of your discharge or separation papers (DD214) to begin the process. You can apply for a COE:<\/p>\n After you submit, the VA will review your request and issue you a decision. Your next step depends on your decision, loan type, and lender. You can get more information by calling the VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visiting the VA\u2019s website: VA Home Loans<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n GI Bill Benefits help pay for college, graduate school, and training programs for active duty and reserve veterans. Find out your eligibility at: GI Bill and other education benefit eligibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n The VA currently offers these GI Bill programs:<\/p>\n To start the application process, you will need basic documentation including your SSN, bank account direct deposit information, education and military history, and basic information about the school or training facility you want to attend. See this website for more information: Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool<\/a>. <\/u><\/p>\n You can apply for your GI Bill:<\/p>\n Once you have submitted your application, no changes can be made. However, you may be asked to provide additional information. The average time to process education claims is 30 days.<\/p>\n This is called an overpayment.<\/p>\n If you are already receiving monthly benefit payments, the VA may reduce some or all of your payments to pay down your debt. However, the VA allows you to make monthly payments, and you can request to make smaller payments when you cannot pay the entire balance. More information on requesting a repayment plan can be found at: Request help with VA debt for overpayments<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you believe the overpayment was made by mistake, you can dispute the overpayment. Your can dispute the entire overpayment or only part of it (if you think the VA did overpay you, but by less than the agency is claiming). By disputing, you require the VA to review the accuracy of the debt determination. If you submit the dispute within 30 days after notice of repayment, the overpayment collection will be paused until resolution. To dispute your overpayment you should submit a letter of dispute<\/strong> requesting an explanation of how the VA calculated the debt\u00a0 You can submit your letter online through Ask VA<\/a> or mail to: U.S Department of Veterans Affairs |Debt Management Center PO Box 11930 St. Paul, MN 55111<\/strong><\/p>\n You should contact the VA Debt Management Center by the deadline listed on the first debt letter you received. You can do this by phone by calling 800-827-0648 <\/strong>or online at: Ask VA<\/a>.<\/p>\n The VA offers two debt relief options. First, you can apply for a compromise offer<\/strong> that allows you to pay a smaller one-time lump sum amount as a full debt payment. If approved, you must pay the VA a one-time amount within 30 days.<\/p>\n Second, you can apply for a waiver. <\/strong>You have 180 days to submit a waiver request when you learn of your overpayment or debt to submit this request. If approved, the VA will forgive part or all of your debt.<\/p>\n You must provide a Financial Status Report (VA Form 5655) for both options. You can find more information and help to complete this form at: Submitting A Financial Status Report (VA Form 5655)<\/a>.\u00a0 You will also need to submit a personal statement\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (VA Form 21-4138<\/a>) explaining why you should not have to repay the debt.<\/p>\n If you require further help, you may request help from the VA or by contacting your local VSO. You can find more information at: Request help with VA debt for overpayments and copay bills<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can request this change through a discharge review or upgrade. This is done through the Department of Defense. At the time of your discharge, you should have received a DD214, which provides the narrative reason for your separation and discharge status or characterization. Each military service has a discharge review board with the authority to change, correct, or modify discharges.<\/p>\n Where you should apply depends on your branch of service, date of discharge, and type of changes(s) you want to your military record.<\/p>\n If you received your separation within the last 15 years, you must submit DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States<\/strong><\/a>, to the branch where you served. That branch\u2019s Discharge Review Board will review your application.<\/p>\n If one of the following applies to you, you should instead submit DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Records<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>for review to its Board for Correction:<\/p>\n The only required documents for submission are the DD293 or DD149 and your DD214. However, you are encouraged to include additional documentation to strengthen your application.<\/p>\n More general information and specific instructions to apply can be found at How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade<\/a>. Most applications can be submitted online through the branch’s online system or sent to the appropriate offices listed below.<\/p>\n Airforce<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records<\/p>\n 3351 Celmers Lane<\/p>\n Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762-6435<\/p>\n Website: Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records<\/a><\/p>\n Army<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Army Review Boards Agency<\/p>\n 251 18th Street South, Suite 385<\/p>\n Arlington, VA 22202-3531<\/p>\n Website: Army Discharge Review Board<\/a><\/p>\n Coast Guard<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n DHS Office of the General Counsel<\/p>\n Board for Correction of Military Records<\/p>\n 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE Stop 0485<\/p>\n Washington, DC 20528-0485<\/p>\n Website: Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard<\/a><\/p>\n Navy & Marine Corps<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Board for Correction of Naval Records<\/p>\n 701 S. Courthouse Rd., Suite 1001<\/p>\n Arlington, VA 22204-2490<\/p>\n Website: Application Process | Board For Correction of Naval Record<\/a><\/p>\n More information can also be found at: Correcting Military Service Records<\/a>.<\/p>\n Any application for benefits will automatically initiate a character of service review from the Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n Yes, as a surviving spouse or child of a veteran you may be eligible for a VA survivors pension.<\/p>\n If you are a surviving spouse, you are eligible for a survivors pension if you have not remarried, your spouse did not receive a dishonorable discharge, and your net worth is not above the limit set by Congress. You can find the current net worth limits here: Current Survivors Pension benefit rates<\/a>. One of the following must also be true of the veteran\u2019s service:<\/p>\n You can find more information about survivor\u2019s pension at: VA Survivors Pension<\/a>.<\/p>\n You might also be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). This is for a spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in line of duty, or survivor of a veteran who died from service-related injury or illness.<\/p>\n You are eligible for VA DIC as a surviving spouse if:<\/p>\n If you remarried, you can receive or continue to receive compensation if:<\/p>\n A surviving child may be eligible for VA DIC if they are nor married, not included in a surviving spouse\u2019s claim, and are under the age of 18 (or under the of 23 if attending school).<\/p>\n To apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, you will need to provide evidence of one of the following:<\/p>\n More information about the evidence you may need can be found at: Evidence To Support VA Pension, DIC, Or Accrued Benefits Claims<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also find more information about VA DIC for spouses and dependents at: About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents<\/a>.<\/p>\n For Survivors Pension, you must complete and submit an Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and\/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ<\/a>) to apply.<\/p>\n For VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation,<\/strong> your military casualty assistance officer will help you complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and\/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a<\/a>). You will also need to submit a copy of veteran\u2019s death certificate, DD-214 (discharge), a copy of marriage certificate.<\/p>\n You can submit the completed forms:<\/p>\n Department of Veterans Affairs<\/p>\n Pension Intake Center<\/p>\n PO Box 5365<\/p>\n Janesville, WI 53547-5365<\/p>\n New Orleans VA Regional Benefit Office at New Orleans VA Medical Center<\/p>\n 1250 Poydras Street, Suite 200<\/p>\n New Orleans, LA 70113<\/p>\n If you need more time to gather your evidence but want to start the process, you may submit an Intent to File a VA Claim <\/strong>(VA Form 21-0966)<\/a>. If you file an intent to file and your claim is later approved, you may be able to receive retroactive payments. You have one year from when you notify the VA of your intent to file to submit your claim. You can do this online or by mail. You can find more information about submitting an intent to file at: Your intent to file a VA claim<\/a>.<\/p>\n The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, represent legal advice. All information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. <\/em>If you need legal help, you should contact a lawyer. You may be eligible for our free legal services and can apply by calling our Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871<\/a> or applying online here<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The VA accepts benefit applications by phone at 1-800-827-1000. You can also apply by visiting the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs or by applying online at these websites: You can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-veterans"],"yoast_head":"\nI applied for benefits. Is the VA processing my application?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How do I apply for a VA Home Loan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How do I apply for the GI bill?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The VA says they paid me too much and that I have to pay them back. What should I do? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
My Overpayment or Debt case is already with the VA\u2019s Debt Management Center, but I cannot afford to pay back the debt. What should I do? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
How do I request a change to the discharge characterization and\/or reason for separation on my DD214?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How do I request a Character of Service determination from the VA? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
I am a Surviving Child or Spouse of a Veteran. Am I Eligible for Survivors Benefits? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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