mail to the beneficiary is returned as undeliverable make reasonable efforts to identify the correct mailing address. Reference: For more information on mail returned as undeliverable, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, 1.B.8. no current address is found for the beneficiary reduce compensation or DIC to the half-dollar rate effective on the date of last payment. References: For more information on lack of current address for the beneficiary, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, 1.B.8, and due process, see M21-1, Part I, 2. the beneficiary fails to furnish verification of residency or citizenship/alien status within 60 days as requested reduce compensation or DIC to the half-dollar rate as of the date determined under . j. When to Restore Benefits to the Full-Dollar Rate Use the table below to determine when to restore benefits to the full-dollar rate. If … Then … Example a beneficiary whose payments are reduced to the half-dollar rate begins meeting eligibility requirements again, and VA receives evidence of eligibility within one year of the date the beneficiary began meeting eligibility requirements again restore benefits to the full-dollar rate effective the first day of the month following the date on which the requirements under and are met. Situation: A Veteran’s payments were reduced to the half-dollar rate on the 61st day of his absence from the U.S., October 14, 2001. Evidence received on March 3, 2002, shows he/she returned to the U.S. on November 2, 2001. Result: Restore benefits to the full-dollar rate effective December 1, 2001. Situation: A Veteran’s payments were reduced
to the half dollar rate on the 61st day of absence on April 3, 2013. Evidence received on March 3, 2014, shows he/she returned to the U.S. on September 1, 2013. Result: Restore benefits to the full dollar rate effective January 1, 2014, the day of the calendar year following the year the Veteran was absent from the U.S. for days or more. a beneficiary whose payments are reduced to the half-dollar rate begins meeting eligibility requirements again, and VA receives the evidence more than one year after the date the beneficiary began meeting eligibility requirements again restore benefits to the full-dollar rate effective the first day of the month following the date on which the evidence was received. Situation: A surviving spouse’s DIC payments were reduced to the half-dollar rate on the 61st day of her absence from the U.S., November 7, 2001. Evidence received on January 14, 2003, shows she returned to the U.S. on December 23, 2001. Result: Award benefits at the full-dollar rate effective February 1, 2003. evidence shows continued eligibility for the full-dollar rate is received within one year of VA’s request restore payments to the full-dollar rate in accordance with the found, per . Situation: A Veteran’s payments were reduced to the half-dollar rate on May 1, 2002, because he failed to return VA Form Letter (FL) 21-914 that was sent to him in January 2002. Evidence received on August 15, 2002, shows that he met all eligibility requirements during the year 2001.
Result: Restore benefits to the full-dollar rate effective May 1, 2002. 5. Payment of Burial Benefits at the Full-Dollar Rate Based on U.S. Residency Introduction This topic contains information on the payment of burial benefits at the full-dollar rate based on U.S. residency in Philippine cases, including eligibility requirements under PL 106-419 eligibility requirements under PL 108-183 determining pension eligibility obtaining pension eligibility information, and need to develop for further disability, income, or dependency information. Change Date August 14, 2006 a. Eligibility Requirements PL PL 106-419 authorizes payment of burial benefits at the full-dollar rate based on service of members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or organized guerrilla groups who died on or after November 1, 2000, and who, on the date of death resided in the U.S. (states, territories and possessions, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) were either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens (as determined by the USCIS), and were either receiving VA compensation benefits or met the disability, income, and net worth requirements for VA pension benefits, and would have been eligible, if service had been deemed to be active military, naval, or air service. Reference: For more information on eligibility requirements, see . b. Eligibility Requirements Under PL PL 108-183 authorized payment of burial benefits at the full-dollar rate based on service of members of the Special or “new” Philippine Scouts who died on or after December 16, 2003, and who, on the date of death resided in the U.S. (states, territories and possessions, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico)
were either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens (as determined by the USCIS), and were either receiving VA compensation benefits or met the disability, income, and net requirements for VA pension benefits, and would have been eligible, if service had been deemed to be active military, naval, or air service. c. Determining Pension Eligibility If the Veteran was not receiving VA compensation benefits on the date of request that the claimant provide the following information amount and sources of the Veteran’s income and net for the month prior to death marital status of the Veteran at the time of and the name and address of his/her surviving spouse, and names, addresses, and ages of the Veteran’s children, if applicable. d. Obtaining Pension Eligibility Information To obtain the Veteran’s pension eligibility information, either prepare and attach VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, to the VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Benefits, or send the prepared form to the claimant when needed to develop the claim. e. Need to Develop for Further Disability, Income, or Dependency Information Assume, without development, that the Veteran’s disability(ies) met the requirements for special monthly pension (SMP) at the aid and attendance (A&A) level at the time of death. Note: Develop for further income or dependency information or evidence only if the information received is contradictory, or additional information would be critical in determining pension eligibility.