lunascoop
commented
2 years ago @psanders86 My edits to the 2022 page per the stakeholder's request are ready for your review. Once the language is approved, I'll make the same updates to the 2021 page, only replacing 1/3 with 2/3.
I did decide to include a link to the page the stakeholder recommended as it does provide some helpful info. I chose this over adding the content to our current page, which is already pretty content heavy.
Something else to consider: Should the Note and link be added to all the past rates pages (including 2020 and 2019)?
Here's what changed: The first paragraph was broken out into bullets since the new info only applies to SBP payments. I also added the Note and link to the article.
2022 VA DIC rates for spouses and dependents: http://preview-prod.vfs.va.gov/preview?nodeId=1012
What happens if I’m receiving SBP or RCSBP payments and then qualify for DIC—but the exception above doesn’t apply to me?
This depends on the type of payments you're currently receiving.
- If you’re receiving SBP payments, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will reduce that amount by one-third of your DIC payment.
- If you’re receiving RCSBP payments, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will reduce that amount by the amount of your DIC payment.
If your DIC payment is greater than your total SBP or RCSBP payment, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will stop your SBP or RCSBP payments. This is called the “SBP/DIC offset.”
If the Defense Finance and Accounting Service pays you more than the offset amount in SBP or RCSBP payments after you begin receiving DIC payments, they’ll consider this amount an overpayment. This means you’ll have to pay the money back.
Be sure to notify the Defense Finance and Accounting Service as soon as you qualify for DIC so they can reduce your SBP or RCSBP payment amount and you can avoid owing money. You’ll need to send them a copy of your VA DIC award letter. You can call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at 800-321-1080, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Note: Starting on January 1, 2023, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will no longer reduce your SBP payments if you also qualify for DIC. You can receive full benefits through both programs at the same time. This plan to eliminate the SBP/DIC offset began on January 1, 2021.
psanders86
RLHecht
bethpottsVADEPO
Issue Description
A stakeholder reached out that we need to add information to our survivor DIC rates page about the phaseout of the SPB-DIC offset.
The bold part of this section needs to be updated:
H2: What happens if I’m receiving SBP or RCSBP payments and then qualify for DIC—but the exception above doesn’t apply to me?
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will reduce your SBP or RCSBP by the amount of your DIC payment. If your DIC payment is greater than your total SBP or RCSBP payment, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will stop your SBP or RCSBP payments. This is called the “SBP/DIC offset.”
The new information provided:
In 2021 the offset was 2/3 of DIC, In 2022 it is 1/3 DIC. The offset is totally eliminated in 2023.
We need to update this page to reflect this year's change and also make a change to our 2021 past rates page. We should consider if we need to note that this will be eliminated for 2023.
They are also asking if we can include a link to the page about the phaseout: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/survivors/SBP-DIC-News/
We need to assess the ask and then implement the changes. Once this work is complete, we should post the changes for Beth to review in the publishing ticket #35678.
Tasks
Acceptance Criteria