03-15-2022, 08:29 PM
If you plan to file or refile a claim for disability, pension, or DIC benefits and you notify VA of your intent to file, it sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits. When you do this, you may be able to get retroactive payments (compensation that starts at a point in the past). This is because your start date for benefits will be earlier than the date you file your claim. Note that if you start filling out a claim form online for disability benefits, this will reserve a potential start date for your benefits and you don’t need to separately call VA or submit a separate intent to file form. Go to https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disab...troduction to start an online claim. Note that automatic intent to file only applies to online disability applications. It doesn’t apply to online pension or DIC applications. If you are not ready to file an online claim, but do plan to eventually file a claim within the next year, it is to your benefit to notify VA of that intention. The notification procedure requires you to either call the VA or submit a separate form. You can call them at 1- 800-827-1000 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Or submit an Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966) available at https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0966-ARE.pdf. It can be filled out online and downloaded for mailing to Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444. You can also turn in your form in one of these ways: Bring it to a VA regional office near you which can be located at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facil...e=benefits Work with a trained professional called an accredited representative. (https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim) [Source: https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent...a-va-claim | March 2022 ++]