Army Reserves and VA Disability Pay Explained

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Army Reserves and VA Disability Pay Explained

Рет қаралды 14,849

Күн бұрын

Fortunately, veterans do not have to give up disability pay to serve in the guard/reserves. This is a common misconception, and you can receive VA pay and drill pay -just not at the same time. Here's an example. Right now, 10% disability rate is at $140.05 per month. Guard/reserve pay for an E-5 with 4 years is $364.44 per drill weekend. You DON'T have to give up your VA pay, you simply waive the VA pay for the days that you are receiving drill pay. For the two days that you are on drill, you have to pick VA pay or drill pay. Since your VA pay averaged out over 30 days in a month comes to about $4.67 per day, it makes sense to give this up and receive the drill pay for those TWO DAYS. Keep in mind guard units may hold two "drill days" in one calendar day, so you would then have to waive $4.67 * 4 "days" per drill weekend instead of $4.67 * "2 days". During the other 28 days of the month, you would receive your normal VA pay. So your end of month total take-home pay would be 100% of drill pay plus about 86.7% of your VA pay.
VA Rater's Handbook:
m21-1.com/M21/...

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@slinky4178 3 жыл бұрын

The only thing i see wrong is that a drill weekend is considered 4 days. Yes it is actually only two days, but you are being paid for four days worth of work.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that correction! I thought I had pinned that comment, but I guess I didn't so I'm going to put yours on top so other people can see it

@EstevanBonilla Жыл бұрын

So I’m this case, do you pay back 4 days or the two days?

@raiderxspawn9376 7 ай бұрын

4 @@EstevanBonilla

@EstevanBonilla 7 ай бұрын

@@raiderxspawn9376 thank you, I’m DQ’d now because P&T cannot join anymore apparently.

@king_of_636s 3 ай бұрын

The information in the video is partially correct, and this comment is incorrect it's so funny how much misinformation gets put out. I am at 100% disability. I still drill. I got a letter from the Department of Defense saying, "hey dude you had 64ish drill days in 2022" so they subtract 64 days worth of money from my VA pay. 64 ACTIVE duty days is what they said. They aren't referencing MUTAs. If MUTAs were being used then it would be more like 200+ days. But no, it's only 64ish. My letter stated that I owed a little over $5,000. $3,738 divided by a 30-day calendar month is about $125. We had 8 months of two day drills. One 14-day AT. One 5 day range. Ect ect. I received a bill for a little more than $5,000, which backs up my calculations of $125xwhatever days are reported to them. All you need to do is set aside an entire VA disability check into a high-yield savings account so that you gain some cash back on the debt you're going to have to pay and then when the debt shows up, pay it on the VA app.

@teeybannister Жыл бұрын

Even if you collect both and don’t tell anyone anything, the VA will send you a letter at the end of the year for their portion . Don’t sweat calling or going to S1. It’s done automatically, Dod let VA know how many days you did drill. I’m an E-6, 100% VA. I know this for sure.

@Redcon96 Жыл бұрын

Is it the End of the year as in December or end of fiscal year?

@teeybannister Жыл бұрын

@@Redcon96 usually around December-January. But I’ve seen them go past January too, just know they’ll let you know. If you did some active duty time last month, they usually ask for their portion about 2 months after you done.

@RamadiTaxiDriver60M Жыл бұрын

Are you staying in at 100% DR in order to get retirement? I’m sure I can get 100% but don’t know if I can make it to 20 years in Guard. Thanks.

@teeybannister Жыл бұрын

@@RamadiTaxiDriver60M I’m already at 20 years reseve

@RamadiTaxiDriver60M Жыл бұрын

@@teeybannister ok thank you

@AMZ19252 29 күн бұрын

Due to the MUTA system of payment there will be some confusion. The days that the VA reports will seem off. Normally a 2 drill period is 4 days of pay, but any training AT is 1 for 1. I do believe that BAH and at allowances are exempt. Overall every situation is different and don’t take a blanket advice of pick your VA pay vs your drill pay.

@johnmcauliffe7487 7 ай бұрын

Another detail to consider is that VA compensation is not taxable, while drill pay is, further reducing the amount per day of drill pay.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 7 ай бұрын

Great point! Thanks for adding to the discussion.

@miggymouse357 2 жыл бұрын

You are correct, the concept of VA disability + drill pay is incredibly confusing. I have been researching the details, only to be more confused at the end. This video really helps, thanks!

@MissingLinkMTB 2 жыл бұрын

Man, short and sweet, broken down Barney style. Thank you!

@MG100-gu4cj Жыл бұрын

I feel like this only benefits if you have a low VA rating. Because if you have a high VA rating your going to choose that over your drill pay and essentially your working for free

@therealar78 8 ай бұрын

This is true in certain scenarios though. It's also dependent on your rank and years of service that you have. That's why it's good to do the math and see what will work best for you.

@Eric721. 2 жыл бұрын

I am 100% VA and going to go reserves thanks for the information

@ThePartTimeEconomist 2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations! Several years ago the general rule was that you couldn't be over 30%, so it's awesome they've made some changes and will give you a chance

@travissssss353 2 жыл бұрын

Hey I'm prior service as well with a disability rating, I'm currently trying to get into the National Guard. Could you give me some info on how you got in, so far everything online is saying it's not possible!

@LTGONZ0 Жыл бұрын

How did you do this. Im in the process of transitioning

@LarSherv 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! So glad I stumbled on it! How would I go about waiving my VA pay for my 2 drill days? I was not aware of this caveat to the rule and have accrued a lot of debt by "double dipping". I thought I had to choose one or the other and as the sole working income for my family, while I was looking for work after leaving active service I couldn't afford to just give up either check. The damage has already been done unfortunately but I will definitely apply this going forward until I retire. Thank you!

@ThePartTimeEconomist 4 жыл бұрын

This is something that you should be able to do through your S1. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion, so you might have to actually print off the reg and take it to them. Best of luck!

@luciai7616 3 жыл бұрын

Oh my can I talk to you about this What would be the case and somebody that is 80 percent We keep getting told that we cannot give up one or the other

@damirhaziahmetov1664 2 жыл бұрын

The video sound is pretty good, beyond my imagination

@uns33nshadow 3 жыл бұрын

Should we still waive benefits if we’re 80-100%?

@jessstearns4534 3 жыл бұрын

So let me make sure I have this right...I am an E5 with 17 years in currently, both active and reserve combined. My pay for a drill weekend is $466.92. I am also 70% disabled, married with 1 son = $1657.44. That equals to about $55.24/per day. What you're saying is I'm still eligible to receive both in the same month, just not the same days, so I would waive my VA pay just for the drill weekend. So I'm waiving $220.96 for 4 days (drill weekend) and I can still get $1436.48 from the VA as well as the drill pay $466.92 at the end of the month?

@raiderxspawn9376 3 жыл бұрын

This is the question I need answered as well. Do you STILL receive 2 checks in a month

@luisriba8082 3 жыл бұрын

You waived the days you only drill. If you drill let’s say 4 days out of the month, substract 30-4 days from the disability pay from the VA. You end getting pay by both drill pay by the army and the difference from va and the days you drilling. Hopefully makes sense or that’s how I see it.

@ralphtroutman305 2 жыл бұрын

This is my question also. Exactly how do I switch back and forth from when im or orders or just traditionally drilling? Or is it automatically deducted? Im similar to the op. 16 years, now a reservist and I just got a 50%.

@Unknbmozmaiden1 11 ай бұрын

@@ralphtroutman305 i would send the va your drill schedule for the fiscal year and fill out VA form 21-8951-2. I was in the reserve and received 50%, when I got out the reserve i got hit with almost $4k from overpayment because I didn’t waive one or the other. I was double dipping. NO they do not notify you and its not automatic, that’s how they f, u. Unfortunately, goodluck!

@albinusclark9561 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video🙂

@proudasiangirl576 2 ай бұрын

Please note that we only have an Army RESERVE, as in ONE. We do NOT have Army Reserves. Also, double was misspelled.

@JRGGRJ10 3 ай бұрын

What about reenlistment bonuses ? Do you have to forgo them if you’re getting VA disability ?

@amosculbreth5308 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏿 ❤

@CeeBee713 6 ай бұрын

Can someone share some up to date information about this video was 4yrs ago?

@julianolivar9453 3 ай бұрын

When you find out please lmk

@kevin-michaelrathburn8190 11 күн бұрын

“Doubble”

@skyhigh4815 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@joseasantiago30 4 ай бұрын

What about if all Drill pay gets sent to TSP?

@isaihernandez791 2 жыл бұрын

I've seen videos saying that its not the drill weekend pay divided by 30. They say its the monthly pay rate divided by 30. ?????

@thenatural1759 Жыл бұрын

I don't volunteer for tdy anymore because the math just seemed to complicated and i kept getting conflicting information. So just add, or replace tdy in the same month time period then? Put that pro rated money in like savings and then pay it back in January then?

@harleeannis7714 4 жыл бұрын

How would you go about initiating this? I’m active duty thinking of going reserve but this has been something that has been on my mind a lot. If what you say can actually be done, instead the VA withholding pay at the beginning of the new fiscal year

@ThePartTimeEconomist 4 жыл бұрын

You can start the BDD program 180-90 days before you separate. You can also be working with the on post Guard/Reserve counselor to make your transition to the guard. If you do it this way, you would more than likely already been accepted into the guard before you even receive your VA rating, which would make it a lot easier to get in to the guard. Once you are in, just talk to finance to set up the witholding.

@YA2uce 2 жыл бұрын

Bro Thank you so F****** much!!!!!!!

@knivesgaming9082 3 жыл бұрын

I thought a drill weekend was considered 4 days ??

@ThePartTimeEconomist 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for bringing that up. I think a few others have pointed out that correction as well so I should probably see if I can pin one of their comments.

@GMINOR1983 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, drill day = drill period for pay. So typical weekend = 4 days of pay for 4 days of va comp. AT = I day pay for 1 day of va comp.

@luciai7616 3 жыл бұрын

Right who would be the point of contact to stop the payment from the army reserve to prevent debt. We received a letter stating he was going to get dectuted from the VA benefits for having 62 days or more of reserve time- they still haven’t started to deduct this and im suspicious they may not for another year and accumulate some more debt.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 3 жыл бұрын

The best place to start would be whoever does the finance and personnel stuff for the unit. S1

@luciai7616 3 жыл бұрын

My husband says thank you very much that was a lot easier to understand then when others try to explain it.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 3 жыл бұрын

@@luciai7616 I'm glad to help. Good luck!!

@KoalaCrusher Жыл бұрын

Does anyone have a VA source link that backs this up? I talked to my comptroller flight and they told me I can give up my drill pay or my VA compensation and nothing in between.

@carlos92fs87 Жыл бұрын

if you just drill for retirement points to keep va pay do you need to let the va know?

@1ArmyGirl2007 Жыл бұрын

I'm curious to know how this would work for the full-time positions that require membership in the Reserves/National Guard. No one seems to have an answer for this.

@ThePartTimeEconomist Жыл бұрын

It has been a while since I looked at the regs, but I think you would be getting the VA pay subtracted for each day NG pays you. If you drill for four "day equivalents" as a normal reservist, you loose four days of va pay, but if you are getting paid 30 days through NG, then I'd think you would loose those 30 days. I haven't personally done this, so hopefully someone else can share some insight.

@gatsby2860 Жыл бұрын

You will owe them every day that you are in a pay status the exception is if you conduct a drill day for non-paid status. At the end of the year when they give you the option to certify your drill days you’d simply correct the number of actual paid drill days not total drill days often times the VA will add your anniversary days or funeral honor days/correspondence days. If you mobilize and are in an active pay status you will pay back 100% of all VA benefits paid to you over that time period.

@1ArmyGirl2007 Жыл бұрын

@@gatsby2860 Just for clarification, this applies to federal positions posted on USAJobs that require membership?

@gatsby2860 Жыл бұрын

@@1ArmyGirl2007 the current way the law is written yes it would apply you simply cannot receive both types of pay without incurring some type of debt

@1ArmyGirl2007 Жыл бұрын

@@gatsby2860 Thank you

@cameronherron4067 2 жыл бұрын

So if I need to deduct VA pay for my drill days I contact my units S1? Or is it possible I could just contact someone at the VA?

@therealar78 8 ай бұрын

Yes, Complete form VA 21-8951-2 (NOTICE OF WAIVER OF VA COMPENSATION OR PENSION TO RECEIVE MILITARY PAY AND ALLOWANCES). You and your commander will need to sign this. And then you will return it to the VA.

@karigan21 Жыл бұрын

What about people who are IRR status?

@aldymolina7061 3 жыл бұрын

how do we do this? thru online or what?

@elnollie Жыл бұрын

Did you ever get an answer to this? If so, could you please share?

@hadanghoang2881 2 жыл бұрын

how did you do it can you share with me , thank you

@miguelmoreno7174 5 ай бұрын

What if you’re in the process of claims but want to join reserves

@ThePartTimeEconomist 5 ай бұрын

Keep in mind it has been a LONG time since I made this video, but my strategy was to wait for the claims process to finish before I tried to join. If you have something that might get you a really low rating through the VA, then I don't see a problem trying to simultaneously join the guard, but if you are claiming a LOT of disabilities through the VA, that might make you ineligible for the reserves. Again, my info is a bit dated, but I wish you the best of luck.

@darealDavion 4 ай бұрын

I just joined the reserves and I was 100%. start the reserve process before you receive pay and you should qualify.

@pabloagami6814 4 ай бұрын

if you're still active you're good. you won't get your rating until after you give the VA your DD-214, and your transition to the reserves will involve getting orders and all that while you're still active. the two are kinda separate. im 90% and went straight to reserve from active. I EASed, got my DD214, got my rating, checked in to do reserve time, and now i'm waiting til about the end of the FY to notify the VA of which I plan to waive. I'm just now learning though that the VA counts each DRILL as a day. so if you do 8 hours in a day (one drill being 4 hours) that's 2 drills. and therefore 2 days of disability pay you lose in one day of drill. do the math. figure out which of the two is more beneficial. waive the one that leaves you with less.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 4 ай бұрын

@@darealDavion Thanks so much for stopping by and providing some clarification.

@jackbowers7889 4 жыл бұрын

If you get 100% is it worth the risk to stay in the reserves?

@RyanSteele92 4 жыл бұрын

That is a good question that deserve to be answered ASAP

@mullins2425 3 жыл бұрын

I was wondering this as well.

@slinky4178 3 жыл бұрын

Yes especially if you want to make it to retirement. How close are you to retirement.

@LTGONZ0 Жыл бұрын

I guess in terms of having the tricare reserve offered to you and your family is the huge kicker looking at it from that perspective. Because unless you are retired you lose health benefits for your family unless you are 100% and will qualify for CHAMPVA; which is still no where as good as tricare reserve

@jamesbrinson1631 5 ай бұрын

If you are a army reservist who waved the battle assembly drill pay, do you sign the sign in sheet with a special code or do you sign it regularly.

@daisyc7917 11 ай бұрын

How do I do that

@AndrewBarela 3 жыл бұрын

So I'm a Vet with 40%. Can I look into joining the Natty or is there a % limit?

@ThePartTimeEconomist 3 жыл бұрын

Just based off my experience I would say that it's worth checking out. The specific recruiter I worked with said 30% was the limit, but I've heard of people that have gotten in with more

@Bbweight 2 жыл бұрын

@@ThePartTimeEconomist Im in with 70 % Im sure you can too.

@ThePartTimeEconomist 2 жыл бұрын

@@Bbweight I'm so glad that they were able to let you in. I talked to a few different recruiters, and I never really had much luck. Thanks for letting me know though!

@LTGONZ0 Жыл бұрын

@@ThePartTimeEconomist I think now if you arent either palace-fronting or place chasing with no break in service its almost impossible to join with a 30% and above rating now. Atleast that's what all the guard and reserve recruiters have said on my base.