USDVA to accept claims in regional centers

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans have until Feb. 16, 2010 to file their claims for the FVEC benefit included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which formally recognizes the service of qualified Filipino WWII veterans as active military service in the US Armed Forces authorize a one-time lump-sum payment of $15,000 to eligible Filipino WW II veterans with US citizenship and $9,000 to non-US citizen veterans. 

The United States has approved $198 million for the benefit of all eligible Filipino WWII veterans. This additional payment will not change or affect other benefits an individual may be currently receiving.

The United States Embassy, through its United States Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office (USDVA), has already processed more than 11,000 FVEC claims and has paid out more than $105 million for this benefit. 

For those claimants who have not yet filed an application, instructions are posted on the U.S. Embassy website at www.manila.usembassy.gov.

The USDVA will have representatives at Philippine Veterans Affairs regional offices to accept claims, on the following schedule:

• USAFINL Camp Henry Allen in Baguio City on Nov. 5;

• Cleofer’s Bldg., Gen. Hizon Ext., in San Fernando, Pampanga on Nov. 19;

• CENTCOM, Camp Lapu-Lapu Lahug in Cebu City on Jan. 14, 2010;

• Door 4, Gutierrez Cmpd., Abad Santos Ave. in Davao City on Feb. 11, 2010.

Receiving hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Claimants are asked not to file duplicate applications if they have already received acknowledgement of receipt of their claim.

New applications may be mailed to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office located at the US Embassy, 1131 Roxas Blvd. 0930, Manila.

Veterans are requested to bring the following information and documentation (if applicable) when filing their claims:

• Two forms of identification (passport, driver’s license, Senior Citizen ID, Voter ID, etc.)

• VA Claim number

• Service Number

• Proof of military service (AGO Form 23 )

• US passport (if a US citizen)

Those seeking assistance completing their application can make an appointment with a USDVA representative by calling (632) 528-2500 or 1-800-1888-5252 outside of Metro Manila.

The USDVA pays approximately $17 million per month to veterans residing in the Philippines. Some $8 million of this goes to Filipino WWII veterans or their survivors.