Retro Pay

[jecsb4]

When I received my partial award letter it showed how much of an increase I would have on a monthly basis. A Rep from tht VARO called me to answer an IRIS email question and told me how much my retro would be.

Ok, no problem, I got it direct deposited via VA. So today, I get in the mail a US Treasury check wihich says VA Comp on the check.

So why did I get this addditional money? Who do I call to find out why I have this? I.E. I submitted a reconsideration late last month and even if the VA approved it, I doubt they could get me my additional pay that fast.

So do I call the VARO and ask why? Usually thoes people that answer the 1800 rarely can tell me anything of substance. Do I ask my SO, because they haven't really helped me much.

If this money is really meant for me, they why didn't the VA put it in direct deposit?

It's nice to have this money, but I dare not spend a penny, unless I know for a fact that it is for me. Why wouldn't the VA send me a letter?

Thanks.

[Berta]

I know the feeling- I got a big check from VA a few years ago-and

I was horrified- I called the VA three times and no one could tell me what it was for- one rep I have know for many years told me to feel free to put it in the bank and spend it and a letter would eventually come.That was Friday.

Monday after no letter came -I called 800 again and ironically got this same rep again and he bust out laughing because I said Jim I followed your advise and put the check into my account and then I spent it all at K mart-this weekend-

I still dont know what it is for.

(it was still right here-I was scared of it)

almost 28 thousand dollars-

Finally the letter came- it was due to an old CUE claim I filed and they denied long ago and Regional Counsel ,checking the file for the FTCA award, found I was right-

it was the result of my CUE.

Sit tight- the letter will come- and maybe they WOULD be able to tell you what it is for at 800#. But they couldnt tell me.

BTW-the amount I got was wrong-

it was short by $11,000-almost forgot that part-

and my DIC checks for some reason were for the wrong year-

I wrote to VA stating that ,although math is not my strong suit, my calculations on the audit I requested ,showed they owed me more money.They forgot a whole year or more on the CUE.

In 3 weeks I got the 11,000 and also about 300 bucks they snookered from my DIC checks.

Edited August 5, 2007 by Berta

[Berta]

PS-it could not be for clothing allowance could it?

I think those checks are in the mail- $662-or 667 anuual CA payment.

[jecsb4]

Thanks Berta for sharing your experience.

One think I haven't dones is check their math. I need to do that.

Thanks.