#211: Benefits Breakdown, Debt Management Center

Veterans (Army) Jason Hoge and (Marines) Joseph Schmitt cover how their personal experiences help guide them to help others who face a debt repayment. They also break down the assistance provided to Veterans during situations such as natural disasters and COVID-19.

Show Notes

This week's episode of Borne the Battle is a Benefits Breakdown on the VA Debt Management Center (DMC). It features DMC's National Finance Director Joe Schimitt and DMC Director of Operations Jason Hoge. Schmitt and Hoge explain how the DMC helps Veterans with financial relief, how the debt repayment process works, and how the DMC actually assists Veterans by helping to improve their financial planning.

Schmitt and Hoge explain the DMC mission, how it guides Veterans' debt repayments, and some recent changes. Those changes include:

• Technology updates.
• An oath for employees must take to serve the Veterans in their care.
• Required 13.5 week debt counselors training.

Schimitt, a former Marine, advocates for “compassionate service.” That mission not only comes from his military service, but also from a personal history of having to repay medical debt. His son was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis. The needed surgery, cranial vault remodeling, corrected his son's head shape, enabling the brain, skull, and head to grow. But the treatment put him in serious debt, and one that helps him empathize with those in similar binds.

DMC UPDATES

Due to the pandemic, Hurricane Laura and the recent wildfires there have recent changes to DMC's operations, including financial relief options:

• VA has suspended all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department.
• VA has suspended collection action and repayment terms on existing VA debts, as the Veteran prefers.

For benefit-based debts, Veterans can contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 to make debt repayment arrangements.

For health care debts, Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 1-888-827-4817 to make debt repayment arrangements.

For more info on the DMC, visit https://www.va.gov/debtman/.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Navy Veteran Louis G. Palmer

Additional Links:

• VA’s digital COVID-19 screening for Veterans, employees, aids in low infection rate
• VA’s Board of Veterans’ Appeals reaches appeal decisions goal early
• VA announces new clinical trial for Veterans with COVID-19
• VA dedicates Acadia National Cemetery in Maine
• VA offers electronic virtual assistant for Veterans
• VA offers electronic virtual assistant for Veterans to connect faster with counselors 
• During Suicide Prevention Month VA encourages supporters to “Be There” for Veterans and help connect them with resources
• Forbes ranks VA as one of the best employers in 17 states

What is Borne the Battle?

Borne the Battle recognizes each battle, challenge, and sacrifice our Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as spotlighting important resources, offices, and benefits VA offers our Veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this podcast, nor any media, products or services they may provide.