Your Intent To File A VA Claim

<html lang="en"><head><script type="application/ld+json" nonce="JRtZhpoXgvylsrwZEkkBl2X0LezUQqrS"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What鈥檚 an intent to file?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<html><head></head><body><p>An intent to file sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits. If you notify us of your intent to file and we approve your claim, you may be able to get retroactive payments. Retroactive payments are payments for the time between when we processed your intent to file and when we approved your claim. </p><p>You can notify us of your intent to file if you plan to file a claim or a Supplemental Claim for these types of benefits:</p><ul><li>Disability compensation</li><li>Pension benefits</li><li>Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)</li></ul></body></html>" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I notify VA of my intent to file?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<html><head></head><body><p>You can submit an intent to file form online right now. </p><p><a href='https://www.va.gov/supporting-forms-for-claims/intent-to-file-form-21-0966/'>Submit an intent to file form online</a></p><p>You can also call us at <a href='tel:8008271000' aria-label='8 0 0. 8 2 7. 1 0 0 0.'>800-827-1000</a> (<a href='tel:711' aria-label='TTY. 7 1 1.'>TTY: 711</a>) to notify us of your intent to file. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.</p><p>Or, notify us in person or by mail. If you want to submit by mail, download and fill out an Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966). Then mail your completed form to the address listed in the PDF.</p><p><a href='/find-forms/about-form-21-0966' data-entity-type='node' data-entity-uuid='4d78dab4-41dc-404b-85f7-7af99b25ae93' data-entity-substitution='canonical' title='About VA Form 21-0966'>Get VA Form 21-0966 to download</a></p><p>If you need help submitting your intent to file, work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.</p><p><a href='/get-help-from-accredited-representative' data-entity-type='node' data-entity-uuid='22542619-a8be-48ec-abd0-405fbd9f6509' data-entity-substitution='canonical' title='Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO'>Get help submitting an intent to file</a></p></body></html>" }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long do I have to file my claim after I notify VA of my intent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "<html><head></head><body><p>After you notify us of your intent to file, you have 1 year to complete and file your claim. </p></body></html>" } ] } </script>        <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="True"> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="320"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com">    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/">  <meta name="DC.Date" scheme="W3CDTF" content="2024-08-31">     <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/">  <meta property="og:type" content="website">   <meta name="description" content="Find out how to notify us of your intent to file a claim for VA disability, pension, or DIC benefits."> <link rel="image_src" href="https://www.va.gov/img/design/logo/va-og-image.png"> <meta property="og:description" content="Find out how to notify us of your intent to file a claim for VA disability, pension, or DIC benefits."> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.va.gov/img/design/logo/va-og-image.png"> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Veterans Affairs"> <meta property="og:title" content="Your intent to file a VA claim | Veterans Affairs"> <title>Your Intent To File A VA Claim | Veterans Affairs</title> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.va.gov/img/design/logo/va-og-image.png"> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@DeptVetAffairs"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Your intent to file a VA claim | Veterans Affairs">   <script nonce="JRtZhpoXgvylsrwZEkkBl2X0LezUQqrS" nomodule data-entry-name="polyfills.js" src="https://prod-va-gov-assets.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/generated/polyfills.entry.js"></script>  <script nonce="JRtZhpoXgvylsrwZEkkBl2X0LezUQqrS"> /** * An alias for window.dataLayer.push made available under the window so that it is accessible in content files. * @module module:record-event * @see https://developers.google.com/tag-manager/devguide * @see module:platform/monitoring/record-event * @param {object} data - The event data that will be sent to GA. */ window.dataLayer = [] || window.dataLayer; window.recordEvent = function(data) { return window.dataLayer.push(data); }; window.recordMultipleEvents = function (events){ events.forEach(event => recordEvent(event)) } </script>  <link rel="stylesheet" data-entry-name="web-components.css" href="https://prod-va-gov-assets.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/generated/web-components.css"> <script nonce="JRtZhpoXgvylsrwZEkkBl2X0LezUQqrS" defer data-entry-name="web-components.js" src="https://prod-va-gov-assets.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/generated/web-components.entry.js"></script>  <script data-e2e="analytics-script" nonce="JRtZhpoXgvylsrwZEkkBl2X0LezUQqrS"> (function(w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? 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Submitting an intent to file sets a potential start date for your benefits.</p><p>Sign in with an identity-verified account and start one of these forms online to reserve an earlier potential start date:</p><ul><li>Disability compensation claim</li><li>Supplemental Claim for disability</li><li>Pension application (you must be signed in with a verified account)</li></ul><p><a href="/resources/verifying-your-identity-on-vagov" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6b45e509-65ef-4504-9dc0-b9c94b2341f3" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Verifying your identity on VA.gov">Learn about verifying your identity on VA.gov</a></p><p>For these forms, you don’t need to call us or submit a separate intent to file form. </p><p>The automatic intent to file doesn’t apply to applications for DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) benefits or Supplemental Claims for benefits other than disability. You’ll need to submit a separate intent to file form. </p><p><a href="https://www.va.gov/supporting-forms-for-claims/intent-to-file-form-21-0966/">Submit an intent to file online</a></p> </div> </div> </va-alert> </div>      <h2 id="whats-an-intent-to-file">What’s an intent to file?</h2> <div data-template="paragraphs/rich_text_char_limit_1000" data-entity-id="49711"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="49711"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>An intent to file sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits. If you notify us of your intent to file and we approve your claim, you may be able to get retroactive payments. Retroactive payments are payments for the time between when we processed your intent to file and when we approved your claim. </p> <p>You can notify us of your intent to file if you plan to file a claim or a Supplemental Claim for these types of benefits:</p> <ul> <li>Disability compensation</li> <li>Pension benefits</li> <li>Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <h2 id="how-do-i-notify-va-of-my-inten">How do I notify VA of my intent to file?</h2> <div data-template="paragraphs/rich_text_char_limit_1000" data-entity-id="44111"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="44111"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You can submit an intent to file form online right now. </p> <p><a href="https://www.va.gov/supporting-forms-for-claims/intent-to-file-form-21-0966/">Submit an intent to file form online</a></p> <p>You can also call us at <a href="tel:8008271000" aria-label="8 0 0. 8 2 7. 1 0 0 0.">800-827-1000</a> (<a href="tel:711" aria-label="TTY. 7 1 1.">TTY: 711</a>) to notify us of your intent to file. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.</p> <p>Or, notify us in person or by mail. If you want to submit by mail, download and fill out an Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966). Then mail your completed form to the address listed in the PDF.</p> <p><a href="/find-forms/about-form-21-0966" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4d78dab4-41dc-404b-85f7-7af99b25ae93" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="About VA Form 21-0966">Get VA Form 21-0966 to download</a></p> <p>If you need help submitting your intent to file, work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.</p> <p><a href="/get-help-from-accredited-representative" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="22542619-a8be-48ec-abd0-405fbd9f6509" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO">Get help submitting an intent to file</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <h2 id="how-long-do-i-have-to-file-my-">How long do I have to file my claim after I notify VA of my intent?</h2> <div data-template="paragraphs/rich_text_char_limit_1000" data-entity-id="44117"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="44117"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>After you notify us of your intent to file, you have 1 year to complete and file your claim. </p> </div> </div> </div>  </article>  <div class="vads-u-padding-x--1 desktop-lg:vads-u-padding-x--0" data-template="includes/tags"> <div class="vads-u-padding-top--3 vads-u-padding-bottom--1p5 vads-u-border-top--1px vads-u-border-bottom--1px vads-u-border-color--gray-light vads-u-display--flex vads-u-align-items--flex-start vads-u-flex-direction--row">  <strong class="vads-u-margin-bottom--2 medium-screen:vads-u-margin-bottom--0">Tags</strong>  <div class="vads-u-display--flex vads-u-flex-wrap--wrap"> <a href="/resources/tag/all-veterans" class="vads-u-margin-bottom--1p5 usa-button-secondary vads-u-font-size--sm vads-u-border--1px vads-u-border-color--primary vads-u-padding--0p25 vads-u-padding-x--0p5 vads-u-margin-left--1p5 vads-u-text-decoration--none vads-u-color--base" style="border-radius: 3px; line-height: 1.3;" id="fc558d4b7889fe8af40f5fe1663decc2"> All Veterans </a> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="vads-u-padding-top--3 vads-u-padding-bottom--1 vads-u-display--flex vads-u-flex-direction--column vads-u-padding-x--1 desktop-lg:vads-u-padding-x--0"> <va-radio id="rating-radio" label="How do you rate your experience on this page?" label-header-level="2" error> <va-radio-option id="good" label="Good" name="rating" value="Good"></va-radio-option> <va-radio-option id="bad" label="Bad" name="rating" value="Bad"></va-radio-option> </va-radio> <div> <va-button disable-analytics secondary class="vads-u-width--full medium-screen:vads-u-width--auto vads-u-margin--0 vads-u-margin-top--2p5" id="rating-submit" text="Submit feedback"> </va-button> </div> <p aria-hidden="true" id="thank-you-message" class="vads-u-display--none vads-u-margin--0" tabindex="-1"> Want to share more feedback? 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conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.</p> </li> <li class="vads-u-margin-y--2"> <p class="vads-u-margin--0"> <strong> <va-link href="/pension" text="Pension"> Pension </va-link></strong> </p> <p class="vads-u-margin--0">Apply for monthly payments for wartime Veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age and disability requirements.</p> </li> </ul> </section> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="vads-u-background-color--gray-light-alt"> <div class="usa-grid usa-grid-full"> <div class="usa-width-three-fourths"> <div class="usa-content vads-u-padding-x--1 desktop-lg:vads-u-padding-x--0"> <section class="vads-u-display--flex vads-u-flex-direction--column vads-u-padding-y--2" data-template="paragraphs/contact_information"> <h2 class="vads-u-font-size--h3 vads-u-border-bottom--4px vads-u-border-color--primary vads-u-margin--0 vads-u-margin-y--1 vads-u-padding-bottom--1" id="need-more-help">Need more help?</h2> <ul 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