In yet another sign that things are shifting back toward what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the end of an 18-month pause in its collection efforts. Starting October 1, veterans with unpaid copays or benefits overpayments must start making payments on those debts. The department also announced that it will restart deducting debts from benefits payments made to veterans on January 1.
The VA sent letters to the 2 million veterans who owe debts to the government notifying them of the restart, according to a published report.
Many branches of the federal government instituted forbearance plans when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. Those forbearance plans have been ending, though, in recent months, as the government works toward getting back to its pre-pandemic “normalcy.” Moratoriums on rent payments, student loan payments, and other forms of debt have been ending, and now the VA’s moratorium can be added to that list.
“The department will continue to provide relief options such as extending repayment plans, waivers and temporary hardship suspensions during these challenging times,” the agency said, in a statement
