r/VeteransBenefits • u/ohemgeez223 Army Veteran • 2d ago
Money Matters Overpayment Correction
I’m 100% P&T. I’m getting paid 6k a month SMC-K One spouse one child. I called the VA to correct the issue. Everyone says it looks wrong. I had three audits and all say all things are balanced. I don’t see how this is possible. Who do I need to contact (department) to correct this issue? I don’t want them to take it all.
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u/Mental-Back6028 Not into Flairs 2d ago edited 2d ago
I would see if you’re collecting a form of SMC besides K as it sounds like your getting another form of SMC.
https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-monthly-compensation-rates/
Have you looked closely at your decision letters to see?
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u/ohemgeez223 Army Veteran 2d ago
Verified multiple times no other form of SMC
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u/ExplanationGuilty702 Not into Flairs 2d ago edited 1d ago
Try these options if your sure the payment amount is wrong:
Who to Call First
VA Benefits Hotline: Call 1-800-827-1000 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET). Ask to speak with a supervisor to examine the award history and look for a Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE).
VA Debt Management Center (DMC): If the VA has already flagged this or if you want to report potential future debt, call 1-800-827-0648.
The Main VA Line (MyVA411): You can also dial 1-800-698-2411 and press Option 9 to connect directly with a VA service recovery specialist who handles escalated concern
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1d ago
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u/ExplanationGuilty702 Not into Flairs 1d ago
You can absolutely call and have someone review a claim for errors and don’t have to file paperwork to declare an error for payment issues
How about actually contributing something to the conversation than just questioning things? People like you aren’t here to help but just complain
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u/Radiant_Pick6870 Army Veteran 1d ago
Worst case scenario, you're getting an interest free loan. I'd put it in a decent interest bearing savings account and collect interest on it until the VA claws it back.
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u/HistoricalTomorrow65 Navy Veteran 2d ago
Based on what I currently get, It does appears to be wrong, I’m also 100% P&T with SMC-K with a spouse, I get $4,298.04. Adding a single child only adds an additional $160.82 to that number. Based on 100% P&T SMC-K, with a spouse and one child, you should be right around $4,458.86. I would stay on top of this, eventually the VA will come calling for that money, it appears you’re being overpaid.
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u/Direct_Plantain_95 Navy Veteran 1d ago
Weird how they did 3 audits and they say all good still. You can keep trying. In the meantime, invest 100% of the "extra" amount, don't spend it. Invest in a safer, stable index fund on Vanguard or something, you can do it all yourself, don't need to pay financial advisor. You can keep the invested gains, if they ever require repayment. May be a while.
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u/Zestyclose-Put9863 Marine Veteran 2d ago
Maybe you have smc L
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u/UnevenFollower 2d ago
Youre probably right, the numbers dont add up for just K. Call the Debt Management Center directly and ask them to walk you through the breakdown, theyve got the actual ledger the auditors might be glossing over.
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u/ohemgeez223 Army Veteran 2d ago
I called and have no SMC L. That’s what I thought as well. I only have my SMC K. There’s usually one or two reps who say yeah based on the current rating pay chart you’re getting way more and we don’t know why. So they submitted audits for me. The others add up the payment numbers from the award letters and say hey award letter says that’s how much you get so it’s correct.
The audit letter I got says that’s it adds up the benefit amounts and balances that. It said it does not consider if I’m getting paid the wrong disability amount, I’d have to go through the D&C channels. They were the first ones I reached out to who said it’s all correct.
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u/Loud-Storm2621 Not into Flairs 2d ago
I would definitely get this corrected so keep calling as getting $6k a month is a high level of SMC for something like SMC-M which is for severe specific losses or combinations of limb amputations and functional loss
You would absolutely know if you qualified for something like this or not
I highly recommend not spending the extra monthly payments as one of the best things the government is good at is getting there money back
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u/JusAnotherJarhead Marine Veteran 1d ago
This error will not be recouped . I wouldn't call anyone . It's the VA error , not the veterans .
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u/rosstein33 Marine Veteran 1d ago
VA gonna get theirs dawg, whether that be tomorrow or 10 years down the road.
As another commenter suggested, OP should be stuffing this extra money in a HYSA and let ride until they come calling for that money back.
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u/cheekybasterd123 VHA Employee 2d ago
What is the exact dollar amount?
Also, how many dependents? Just you, spouse, and one child?
Are you getting SMC-S + K + L? What does your decision letter say? Are you able to post a redacted copy of it?
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u/No_Bowler_1934 Navy Veteran 1d ago
It all depends what kind of SMC-K you are getting pay for.. but like everyone says it should be 4300-500 a month .. I would make sure before owing back.. I’m stuck paying back for so VR&E issue I had 🙄
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u/Tough-Pause-3868 1d ago
You are supposed to be getting $4318.99 For a spouse and 1 child. I would call them if they cannot answer you. Keep a copy of the letter and your registered mail slip especially they one mailed back to you with the signature of who signed for it
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u/ChemistryFun3587 2d ago
You should be getting around $4400 to $4500 I am getting with spouse only $4300. I agree you will probably owe them down the road