To become a fiduciary for a family member or friend, submit a request with the beneficiary’s name and VA file number, and your name and contact information to the VA regional office nearest you.

Who is considered a VA beneficiary?

A beneficiary is an individual entitled to receive VA benefits. Beneficiaries are classified as minors, Veterans, and other adults. The latter group includes adult children incapable of self support prior to their eighteenth birthday, surviving spouses, dependent parents, and some insurance payees.

Who can be a fiduciary for VA benefits?

The fiduciary is responsible to the beneficiary and oversees financial management of VA benefit payments. Generally, family members or friends serve as fiduciaries for beneficiaries; however, when friends and family are not able to serve, VA looks for qualified individuals or organizations to serve as a fiduciary.

How much does a VA fiduciary make?

How much does a VA fiduciary get paid? The fiduciary is allowed to charge a fee of up to 4% of the amount the VA pays to the beneficiary. If the VA has deemed a veteran to be incompetent and unable to manage their veterans benefits, the VA will carry out a field examination to determine the most appropriate fiduciary.

What is a VA custodian?

A VA Custodian is a federal fiduciary who is a person or a legal entity appointed by a state or federal court to oversee veteran beneficiaries because of incapacity to manage their financial or real estate affairs.

Do all veterans get a death benefit?

VA automatically pays a burial benefit to the eligible surviving spouse of record when a Veteran’s death is reported. The survivor of a legal union* between the deceased Veteran and the survivor; OR. Veteran’s child(ren), regardless of age; OR. Veteran’s parents or surviving parent; OR.

What benefits do spouses of deceased veterans get?

Pension. Survivors of veterans who served during wartime can apply to receive a tax-free pension, known as a Survivors Pension or Death Pension. The pension provides a monthly payment to surviving spouses with modest incomes who have not remarried.

Can a family member be a fiduciary?

A fiduciary relationship is developed whenever a person agrees to take on that role, or is appointed to the role by a judge or other legal document. For friends, family members, or designated entities, fiduciary relationships often arise through a will provision or other estate planning documents.

Who can act as fiduciary?

The most common example of a fiduciary is a trustee of a trust, but anyone can be a fiduciary. If you undertake to assist someone in a situation where they place total confidence and trust in you, you have a fiduciary duty to that person.

Can anyone be a fiduciary?

Anyone can act as a fiduciary, but there are several laws in place that restrict individuals and businesses that are designated as certain types of fiduciaries.

How do I become a professional VA fiduciary?

To become a professional fiduciary, submit your resume with cover letter to the following e-mail address: [email protected] Include your name, the name of your organization (if applicable), mailing address, and e-mail address with your request.

What does a fiduciary do at the VA?

The fiduciary program provides oversight of VA’s most vulnerable beneficiaries. These are people who are unable to manage their VA benefits on their own. This might be because of injury, disease, advanced age or youth. VA appoints fiduciaries who manage VA benefits for these beneficiaries.

What can a VA fiduciary do?

As fiduciary, you are required to keep separate financial accounts on behalf of a beneficiary. The law requires a fiduciary to manage and place beneficiary funds in reasonable, safe investments, protect the funds from creditors and any loss, and provide additional protection when required by VA.

Can the VA force you to have a fiduciary?

Certain physical and mental health conditions may leave a Veteran unable to manage their own finances. If that Veteran is receiving VA benefits, the VA may require that the Veteran have a fiduciary to manage VA funds on their behalf to ensure that the Veteran’s benefits are spent in their best interests.

How long does the VA fiduciary process take?

After 60 days (provided that the veteran has not requested a hearing or submitted evidence) the rater can finalize the proposed action. If the veteran requested a hearing, no further action can take place on this issue until the hearing has taken place.

Does the VA recognize guardianship?

Guardianship is obtained through a court proceeding and granted by a judge. While the VA officially prefers fiduciaries to be a family member or next-of-kin, you may need to apply for a change of fiduciary if one has been established before you have been named guardian by a state judge.