If VA says you owe money, you may be able to ask VA to forgive the debt. That request is called a waiver. For many VA debts, you now have one year to ask. But the one-year rule covers only some debts and some notices, and other deadlines in your letter may be much shorter.
The short version
- A waiver asks VA not to collect a debt.
- For covered debts, you have one year to ask for a waiver if your debt notice was issued on or after December 29, 2024.
- This rule does not apply to VA home loan (loan-guaranty) debts.
- VA's regulation putting this into place took effect January 26, 2026.
- Your letter may have other, shorter deadlines. Read every one.
- Saying the debt is wrong is different from asking VA to forgive it.
What a waiver is, and what it is not
A waiver asks VA to forgive a debt so it does not collect it. These requests are different:
- Disputing the debt: You say you do not owe it at all.
- Disputing the amount: You say VA got the number wrong.
- Payment plan: You ask to pay it back over time.
- Collection questions: You ask about the steps VA is taking to collect.
When you write to VA, say clearly what you want VA to do.
Step 1: Find the date on your debt notice
The date that counts is the date of the "notice of indebtedness." That is the letter that says you owe money. It is not the date you first noticed a smaller payment in your bank account.
- Keep the whole letter, plus the envelope or the email or online notice.
- If you cannot find the letter, ask VA for a copy right away. Write down when you asked.
The December 29, 2024 date matters. If your notice is older than that, do not assume you have one year. The rule also covers some cases where a notice arrived late. Those cases need facts and proof. Do not assume your deadline started over.
Step 2: Make a timeline
Before you write anything, make a simple table. Give each important event its own row:
- The change that may have caused the debt
- The date you told VA about it
- When VA changed your payment
- The date of the debt notice
- Every time you contacted VA after that
Attach proof of anything you sent, if you have it.
Made-up example: A veteran tells VA about a change in his family. Later, VA says he was overpaid. A good packet would include his original report to VA, proof VA got it, VA's letter changing his payment, and how VA figured the debt. This example does not mean the debt is wrong or must be forgiven. It just shows which papers help sort it out.
Step 3: Keep "the amount is wrong" separate from "please forgive it"
If you think VA used the wrong dates or the wrong amount, say exactly which number you disagree with and why.
"I can't afford this" and "the amount is wrong" are two different reasons. You may have both. If so, explain each one clearly. Do not mix them into one vague complaint.
If you are asking for a waiver, explain why and follow the instructions in your notice. Be honest and consistent about your finances. Keep copies of the money information you send so you can explain or correct it later. If you are not sure of a number, do not make it look exact.
Step 4: Watch for shorter deadlines
A one-year waiver deadline does not mean VA will wait a year to start collecting. Read every deadline in your notice. Some protections against collection may require you to act much sooner.
If VA is about to hold back your payments or send the debt to collections, ask VA what you need to do now. Get any agreement in writing.
A phone call can help. But you still need to send the written request and keep proof that you sent it. For each call, write down:
- The date
- The office you called
- The name of the person you spoke with
- Any reference number
- The next step they told you
Do not just write "VA said it was fine." That is hard to prove later.
Step 5: Make your packet easy to read
- Start with a short cover page. List the notice, what you are asking for, and what you attached.
- Number your attachments.
- Use clear file names, like "dependency-change-confirmation," instead of random screenshots.
- Keep an untouched copy of all your original papers.
If a document has someone else's private information, think about whether you need to send the whole thing. Send your packet the official way listed in your notice. Never upload benefits records through a public contact form or a social media comment.
Questions veterans ask
Does the one-year rule apply to all VA debts?
No. It applies to debts covered by the waiver rule. It does not apply to VA home loan (loan-guaranty) debts. Check what kind of debt you have and the rules in your notice.
If I ask for a waiver, am I agreeing that I owe the money?
These are two separate questions: whether the debt is right, and whether VA should forgive it. If you want to raise both, make both clear, and get advice about how to do it.
What if I got the letter late?
Save proof of when and how you got it, along with any address changes. Getting a letter late does not automatically excuse filing late. The reason and the rules both matter.
Should I wait until I have every paper?
No. Do not let a deadline pass while you try to build a perfect packet. Get help quickly to figure out what you must file, where to file it, and what papers can come later.
Get help with your debt notice
The Jacks Law Group can help look at a VA benefits debt and your options for responding. Call 702-834-6300. Have the date of the notice and a copy of the full letter ready. A good review starts by separating three things: how VA figured the debt, the waiver request, and the collection timeline.
Sources and further reading
General information, not advice for your claim. Laws and procedures can change. Reading this article or contacting us does not, by itself, make us your lawyers.
