Haven't received a COLA

[bigmuny]

I've been getting disability since my medical discharge in 1972 and have received a COLA every year since....but for some reason I didn't received my COLA on January 1st 2008 like everyone else apparently did. I've written with a Certified Return Receipt requested letter, called and even requested a reply via the VA website but just can't get a response except "they are still working on it"...does anyone know what "it" is that they could be working on??? Did I fall through the proverbial Crack??? Has anyone known of a Vet who was this long in not receiving his/her COLA increase and if so what was the reason??? Seems like my dear friends at the DAV won't accept my case even though they are listed as my legal representative and I personally requested they at least fire off a letter on my behalf to no avail so any helpful insights here could give me some direction.

[TinCanMan]

Well, that's certainly a new one on me. I've never once heard of one veteran that did not get the COLA. The computers were updated last December with new figures and I don't know how it would be possible to pay one person less than others. There's nothing to be working on.

It should be simple enough to calculate how much you should get. Tell us your disability percentage and number/kind of dependents add any SMC you might have and we can tell you what you should get. Let us know what you are getting and we can see if your COLA is included or not.

[bigmuny]

I am 100% and my disability income is right now without the COLA $3516.00 per month. I have dependents and receive AA but that is all included in the total amount which is what the COLA has been based on in the past...Just can't figure what the problem is or why no one can't respond except with "they are still working on it" whatever "it" is...I know I will get it eventually I just can't figure out what it is about mine that is a problem...Even when I call the VA Regional Office to check up on it I ask the question have they heard of anyone else not receiving their COLA and their response is No...

[TinCanMan]

OK, I get a bit lost when it comes to A&A awards so I'm going to ask someone with more experience to look in on this post but he'll need to know how many children and if you have a spouse as well as which SMC you are getting.. Might take a couple days depending on what he has going on.

[bigmuny]

OK TCM...I have one wife, one child under 18, a mother dependent and me and I receive AA, Aid and Attendance at the (L) rate. I am 100% disabled, total comp package at $3516.00...could I interest you in one Teenager over 18, Female, nickname Knucklehead, goes by hardheaded also amongst others...I will throw the wife in for free for a package deal...

[TinCanMan]

Appreciate the offer for wife and knucklehead but I haven't been able to tame my own yet. I think it must be in the genes, probably the double x chromosome. I broke my son's ricebowl 20 years ago and he went off and did his own thing. The wife, OTOH, is Polish and isn't trainable, sigh... I now have grand children approaching that age. That's good enough for me. They go home at the end of the day.

I sent off a message to folks that might have a solution. I'm simply at a loss as to what's going on here. I can't imagine how one person could get left behind. The COLA's are implemented on a global basis and everyone should see the same thing at the same time. This business of "we're working on it" is baloney.I've collected a Military retirement check, a Federal salary and a VA disability check since 1980 and have always received my COLA's exactly on the date scheduled.

It's always possible a processing error happens an a check gets dumped but not something like this. I doubt anyone is working on it or that it will get fixed in due time unless we can somehow get their attention.

The VA has an office that handles financial accountability. I forget the name and how to contact them. It's usually used by folks that have a debt to the VA and want to see an accounting of the debt and what's been paid and what's left owing. I'll search for that and see if I can come up with something.

Couple more questions:

You say you get A&A; Is that for you or for wife?

You also say you didn't get the COLA. What is your basis for saying that? Was your 2008 monthly check unchanged from those you received in 2007? Did you calculate your benefit on your own and come to the conclusion it should be more?

You also say you called the VA; What number did you call? If you called the 1-800-827-1000 number, these folks have no clue regarding payroll. It sounds like the response you got was the standard response to inquiries about CRDP/CRSC back pay issues.

[TinCanMan]

Fortunately, my friend was online when the mail hit his box and he responded right away. He also thinks this is a strange situation and shouldn't happen. He also questioned A&A at (L) and asked if this was for you or for wife. He said if it was for you and it was A&A it should be at (R1) or (R2).

At any rate, he did calcs based on info you provided and comes up with $3504/mo based on 2008 rates. That's pretty close to your $3516.

He also suggested, if you feel there's been an error, just write the RO and ask that your award be audited. Any errors should show up.

[bigmuny]

Sorry for the delay Tin but I've been unable to set at the computer as I've been down and just haven't felt like getting on..I am the one with the AA and your friends calculations are really close..I also get compensation for a broke weeny, can't think of the term they use, but it is only about $100 a month.
I contacted the RO in New Orleans again and was told my monthly check for May 1st will be the same, so no COLA increase again for this month. I've sent Certified Mail to the RO and have not received any replies, sent questions through the online VA IRIS system I think that is the name, only to be told they are working on it. Even the 800 number people say they have never heard of anyone not getting a COLA for this long...Did you find a number to call for Finance or a VA auditing number?? I figure I'll get it eventually but I would sure like to know why I haven't gotten it and everyone else has..any VA telephone numbers would help...thanks for all your responses...take care and may you have a blessed day..

[TinCanMan]

I also get compensation for a broke weeny,

The real name is erectile dysfunction or ED, but I think I like "broke weenie" much better.

Personally I think you are getting the COLA because my friends calculations are based on current rates.

Write to the RO and ask for an audit. The only other option is to ask your Congressmans help. I usually don't recommend this but in your case, I can't think of anything else.

[bigmuny]

Ok "broke weenie" it is..but on your friends calculations I have been getting the same amount since January 1st 2007 which is $3516.00..direct deposit for the past year shows that, and I am still getting the same $3516.00...don't see the increase there..besides you friend didn't calculate the money I get for the erectile dysfunction, which is about $90 plus dollars..so that would put it at about the right amount figuring that in...but I will do as you suggest and see what my Congressman has to say about this...hhhmmm..can't say I like these thoughts I'ma thinking...I'll keep you posted though..

[TinCanMan]

Well, If it didn't change from one year to the next, it would be hard to say you got the COLA but I gotta say I have never heard of that. I have been drawing one or more government checks since 1960 and have never had a COLA be late much less non existent.

I can only suggest you ask for an audit or contact your legislators. It would seem you've done everything possible. I would love to hear how this is possible. Please let us know what happens.