I live OCONUS, VA has requested verification of my wife's SSN, why can't I upload online?

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 01:12:24 -0500

My wife has never had a SSN, living in Denmark she could never get to a military base to get one, besides she is listed on DEERS. Last year I filed for SSI benefits through the Embassy in Oslo. They ask if my wife wanted to draw as well, I stated she didn't have a SSN, they said no problem, sent the forms, we received a paper showing her SSN. As a non US Citizen she is not required to file federal taxes, thus we never received a W2, so I requested through the Embassy one, was a C.Y.A. so the Danish government couldn't say we didn't pay taxes. I sent a copy of this paper to the VA along with a copy of her passport as they wanted a pic I.D. She has no I.D. showing a SSN. Now I receive another notice from the VA they require proof of SSN and ID or they will reduce my VA benefits. Today I am sending the same info by snail mail as there is no way I can upload the info, except this time it is registered mail so someone has to sign for it. If there is a way to upload the info online, I cannot find it. The VA continues to change its page making things more difficult to work with. Also I have tried to get a VSO, written to two different contact in Germany, but none have replied to me. Living in Denmark is like being in the back waters of care and concern from the VA. Over the years I have been treated as a second class Vet on so many different way, now this one as well. I thought being a member of the VFW would help, maybe if I was in Germany or Italy. No one cares.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Dec 5 at 2024 1:25 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 01:25:58 -0500

Give These A Try ~~
https://www.login.gov// ~ Various Military Access Sites~
~~Social Security Assistance :
https://secure.ssa.gov
You may call SS Monday through Friday: 8:00AM - 7:00PM at:
[login to see]

The public’s one account for government. | Login.gov

Use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 5 at 2024 11:13 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:13:54 -0500

VA's website has been a bit wonky these last couple weeks. Things are moving around and different pages are not talking to each other.

I know that does not help your situation at all, but wanted to at least let you know it is not a *you* think, it is a *VA* thing.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 5 at 2024 9:40 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:40:58 -0500

Strangely enough, if your wife didn't have a SSN it wouldn't be an issue. The VA's adjudication manual states that if a dependant has no SSN, is not a U.S. citizen, and resides outside of the US or any of it's territories, then they don't even need a certified statement from you stating they don't have one.

You should be able to submit the form using QuickSubmit*. QuickSubmit will take the stuff you upload and dump it into the VA's Centralized Mail (CM), just like what happens when you send documents to the VA's Intake Center (when documents are received by the Intake Center, they are digitized and uploaded to the CM).

According to the VA adjudication manual*, the VA should have sent you a request to provide a filled-out VA Form 21-4138. Just attach the form, a scan of her passport and one of her Social Security card and you should be good to go.
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* VA's QuickSubmit - https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=quicksubmit
* M21-1 (VA's Adjudication Manual) , Part VII, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section A - General Information on Relationship and Dependency - https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/ [login to see] 01018/content/ [login to see] 76613/M21-1-Part-VII-Subpart-i-Chapter-1-Section-A-General-Information-on-Relationship-and-Dependency?query=social%20security%20number#7

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