The Reps Benefit To

[Berta]

This benefit is often misunderstood by our vet reps.

My former reps didn't have a single clue of what it was when I mentioned it to them.

The application for REPS is at the back of the formal 21-534 DIC claim form.

Many widows/widowers may not think they are eligible for this and disregard the form.

Other survivors - to include some student children as explained on the REPS application form might be getting their first DIC award ever due to the 3 new AO presumptives under Nehmer for deaths that VA has service connected many many years after the veteran has died.

They could be eligible for REPS if they meet the SSA criteria as in the "Who is eligible" statement.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-8924-ARE.pdf

There is discussion here on REPS under a search.

There is no REPS deadline.

My husband died in 1994 and my 2010 direct SC death award rendered me REPS benefits 16 years after his death.

REPS will need proof of the SSA criteria as well as proof of the child's age and school info and a copy of the VA award letter that directly service connects the death of the deceased veteran.

They work much faster then VA and payment comes within a few months after receipt of all pertinent info.

Dont depend on your RO to pursue the REPS application if it is in your C file.

You can Iris them or call them to see if they will do that but they sure might not forward the application and award to the REPS people.

[justrluk]

Need to make sure my wife knows about this...