Norton Receives Assurances from VA that Certain Deadlines Will be Excused During the Coronavirus
March 31, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), in a conference call today with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials, received assurances that veterans and surviving family members who miss deadlines related to Intent to File (ITF) submissions for their disability or pension benefits will still be able to file after the deadlines, in light of coronavirus. Norton received the assurances in response to her letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie asking him to indefinitely suspend all timely filing deadlines related to ITF submissions for these critical benefits.
"I am relieved that the VA recognizes that veterans, many of whom need in-person assistance for filing Intent to File submission documentation to get their disability benefits or pension payments, will not be penalized for missing the usual one-year deadline," Norton said. "I will work with local veteran service organizations and others to help make sure veterans in the District and their families are aware of this change by the VA, which is very important and good news for the 30,000 veterans and their families here in the District."
ITF submissions are essential for veterans to receive yearly disability benefits and pension payments. Norton received assurances on the call today that veterans or their families who miss deadlines to file during the closure of VA offices and unavailability of staff assistance will be allowed to file after the deadlines. The veteran or veteran family will be able to file when staff is available to help file and will not have to wait a full year to file another ITF submission.
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