Veterans Affairs: Congress pushes to explain overpayment to veterans
Nearly $1.4 billion were overpaid by The VA in 2024 and could generate financial problems to veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the incorrect overpayment to veterans of about $5 billion more than it should have been. This mistake created an unknown debt for them.
On this line, congressmen are pressing to explain this mistake that, apparently, is getting worse. Since fiscal year 2021 to 2024, the overpayment causes a lost for about $677 millions in taxpayer.
VA answers
Nina Tann, executive director of the VA's Compensation Service, explains that the agency faces a "heightened risk" of making these overpayments. Due to the large number of beneficiaries—about 9.1 million people—and the high-dollar amounts, this mistake is likely to continue happening, according to her.
Tann also said that they fixed an administrative error earlier this year. About 15,000 veterans were receiving duplicate payments, specifically those with dependents in fiscal year 2024.
Subcommittee calls an oversight hearing
On the other hand, congressmen are pressing the agency not only for explanations but also for solutions. They say that veterans are the most affected by this, not only economically but also mentally.
The House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing last Wednesday to have the agency explain the situation. Nina Tann was there to provide that explanation.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-KY, one of the members, said that he visited the VA's Debt Management Center last February and met veterans affected by this unknown debt. During the hearing, they also asked how they are going to explain when they ask veterans to pay the money back.
Although Tann explains that the agency is not asking veterans to pay the debt, she also explains that, in 2023, the VA temporarily suspended the collection of pension debts for thousands of low-income wartime veterans and their survivors. This can impact the veterans' economy and affect the PACT Act services, the most recent initiative for veterans.
