Check Return Timeline?

[roguewisher]

Howdy,

I haven't posted, but I've been reading along since I filed my claim back in May. My claim closed up on 9/11 and they sent me a paper check, which was unexpected but a pleasant surprise how fast the process rolled through once a decision had been made. I swung over to eBenefits to review my VA letters and noticed that despite having changed all my addresses wherever I saw them incorrect (I moved in May, as well), they sent the check to my old address four hours away.

I know mail forwarding isn't going to work in this situation after tearing through some Reddit material and this forum. However, my former mail carrier was delivering mail from previous tenants (mail from YEARS ago) while I lived at my former residence, and I'm concerned the mail forward I have in place won't kick the check back to the treasury, or that my old carrier will deliver it.

On the chance that he does take pity on me and return the check, how long is the process once it's received and sent out again? Any possibility they'd direct deposit it now that ALL my addresses are changed?

Thank you!

[Buck52]

Good link Paul  thanks for posting it.

I am not sure they still send out checks to veterans? but I have a question?

what if the veteran does not use a Bank or any other financial institutions or have access or the knowledge to use a computer?

some veterans live in very remote areas  where there is no internet available and some veterans don't believe in using Banks or any other financial institutions? That is there Right to do so [= Right?

I remember back when I first won my claim for a 50% rating..I just had my check sent to my address each month  and me and the wife would go to the grocery store to buy a months worth of grocery's and the store would cash myVA Check. It was not much about 600.bucks I think?.....but after about a year or two we got the direct deposit set up.  and been that way ever since

I know the VA Prefers all Veterans use the Direct Deposit.

[GeekySquid]

1 hour ago, Buck52 said:

what if the veteran does not use a Bank or any other financial institutions or have access or the knowledge to use a computer?

paper checks are currently still available, but don't be surprised if in the near future vets either have a bank account or are issued a pay card for their monthly compensation.

Also consider what happens when retro pay comes in and it is 6 or 7 thousand dollars. the local grocery store will not be cashing that big a check, and unless you know a banker the local institution is not going to just hand over that kind of cash without a few days wait.

As for it being a "Right" to not have a bank account, no it is not a "right" in the sense of the Constitution, which is silent on the subject of bank accounts, for or against them.

There is no law that says people have to have a bank account but there is no federal law that says the government or your employer has to pay you with cash or a check, though some states do mandate that employers offer the option of getting a check.

 

[GBArmy]

I am not sure about having a "right" or not either, but there is another angle to this. The VA is such a a huge bureaucracy I'm for most anything that make things automatic rather than having some moron at the VA making a wrong decision. Automatic deposit just takes the human element (of making mistakes on repetitive tasks) out of the hands of someone to make a repetitive decision that doesn't change. The check is the same every month, unless there is a COLA or other event like increase/decrease in rate, or change in number of dependents. But after the event change is put in, it is automatic again. Once the info is in the system, it goes to the same bank ,same acct. number, etc. every time. If it is mailed, things can happen, like typo because the printer wasn't  printing right, or the mail is delivered by the P.O. to the wrong address , gets lost, etc. It has to cut down on errors and be quicker. Not to mention, more cost effective, so there is more money left over for VA bonuses.

[Buck52]

Yeah I know what you guys mean..but there is no law where veteran or anyone for this matter is required to use a Bank or any other financial institution.  if it gets that way then were living in a dictatorship run country if that's not communist I don't know what is..grrrr

Its always better to be modernized so -to -speak  but for some way older veterans in their right mind  its hard for them to accept change.

 GB is right about  the direct deposit  it is a safe and effective way to do transactions  and ...usually any Bank will cash a Goverment Check  up to a certain amount  if the veteran has to have an account he can and usually sighs up for one but that don't mean he ever has to use it  if they ask do you have an account with us sir  veteran says yes I do   then it should not be a problem.

   Now  not meaning large retro's but the usual 3.000 monthly comp checks so no problem there , if the veteran has problems cashing his compensation check he can call the 1-800#  

As for as A Grocery store cashing a large sum  no they probably would not  Although some still do with a limit up to a certain amount   if your buying your grocery's there  doing business with them  ect,,,ect,,,

I had no problem what so ever getting my little 600.00 check cashed.

but that's been over 20 years ago 1998 it was after 2002 when I finally won my claims I got direct deposit..and still have the same D.D. account had back then.  Some times updated are needed with change of deposit amounts ect,,ect,, or any change since the last time the account was updated.

If a Veteran don't have a Bank Account or any other financial institution and gets a large retro amount  they have to be a way for him to cash it and get his $$$  believe it or not there are still some Back woods Veterans left out there Vietnam Veterans and even a few War War II Vets still around with no Banking accounts...some how they get there checks cashed.

I am with you guys  on  Bank Accounts , Accounts I use Bank for Direct Deposit  in two completely  different financial institutions. 

I very seldom carry cash on me I use the old plastic..

Edited September 17, 2019 by Buck52

[paulstrgn]

I am actually surprised that the VA still sends out paper checks. I know the military and the federal government (when employed with them)requires direct deposit.

I know you are correct Buck that there are vets that still want the paper checks. Me I want it as quick as possible so I am all for direct deposit.

26 minutes ago, Buck52 said:

not meaning large retro's but the usual 3.000 monthly comp checks so no problem there

I would think one would be hard pressed to find someone to cash that check, but I could be wrong.

 

 

[Buck52]

6 minutes ago, paulstrgn said:

I am actually surprised that the VA still sends out paper checks. I know the military and the federal government (when employed with them)requires direct deposit.

I know you are correct Buck that there are vets that still want the paper checks. Me I want it as quick as possible so I am all for direct deposit.

I would think one would be hard pressed to find someone to cash that check, but I could be wrong.

 

 

Yeah I would be too but a Goverment check is  basically a sure thing other than fraud  vs a private company or personal check.

I still know an old vet that's 96 years old and he is a suborn old fart  but he seems to get his way..he has no Bank Account  and this Vet is covered from foot  to head with SMC'S  I think he is maxed out with VA Comp  he is in a motorized wheel chair that  he only uses his chin to work the wheel chair controls,  but he gets around just as good as any disabled Vet his care givers dresses him in his old War War II Army uniform  and he tells us old war stories up at the Dallas VAMC AT 5:00AM on Mondays & Tuesdays at the front entrance of the Hospital  His name is Bob, he welcomes all Veterans in and thanks them for their service   he is fun to visit with  hard of hearing  but he has a small tablet you write it down if he don't understand you .

All Veterans Shows a Great deal of Respect to this OId weathered and tired looking Vet , I believe he has almost every medal they give out for combat  he has them strung out across his chest.

Its going to get where all Veteran no matter how old or where they served  will need to get a Direct Deposit set up.  its basically that way now but  its no law about it as for as I know?