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A veteran's battle to get VA benefits can last months or even years. If their condition prevents them from earning a significant income, debts can quickly mount; however, there is a light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the retroactive payment that the VA provides once it awards disability compensation.
Back pay, also known as retroactive benefits, are the benefits that accrue while the veteran processes their disability compensation. Once the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approves the application, it sends the retroactive benefits in a single installment.
The amount of the back payment depends on several factors, such as the disability rate, the time it takes the VA to approve the claim, and most importantly, the effective date on which the beneficiary filed their application.
What is my effective date, and what does it depend on?
In most cases, the effective date is when the VA receives your claim. However, some factors can change the effective date. For example, if you file within the first year of your separation, the day after your separation becomes your effective date.
If your condition worsens and you request a rate increase, the effective date is up to one year prior to the date you filed your claim. If you reopen your application, your effective date is the day you submit new evidence.
One way to ensure your effective date even before you file your application is to submit an Intent to File (ITF). This will give you time to gather all the documents and evidence the VA requires while your benefits have already started to accrue.
If your condition is included on the list of presumptive conditions after you filed your application or after it was denied, or if you were exposed to Agent Orange, this can change your effective date.
How long does it take for the VA to send a retroactive payment?
Typically, the VA sends back payments 15 to 30 days after approving an application. Beneficiaries receive their payment in the bank they ed on their application. You need to keep track of your status through your eBenefits profile or on Va.gov.
If there is a delay, a VA representative or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) who will help you figure out what is going on and resolve any potential issues.