VA INSURANCE HOAX RESURFACES
ON THE INTERNET

A message on the INTERNET has caused some confusion among veterans who have VA insurance policies.

False information about dividends appear periodically

These announcements declare that Congress has recently passed a bill which entitles veterans and service persons to a dividend based upon their prior years of service, and are part of a recurring problem of misinformation that dates back to 1965. Unfortunately, this misinformation unnecessarily raises the expectations of veterans and service personnel and detracts from our ability to serve our veterans.

The dividend "hoax", as we refer to it, had its origins in a special dividend that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), then known as the Veterans Administration, did pay to World War II veterans who had National Service Life Insurance policies. Approximately $2.7 billion was paid in 1950 to over 16 million of these veterans under the "1948 special dividend."

Some time in 1965, the special dividend news announcements of 15 years earlier resurfaced and were mistakenly published by several newspapers. The special dividend had already been paid out to virtually all eligible government life insurance policyholders and there was no new special dividend. VA moved quickly to educate the news media, but some well-meaning individuals and organizations began to publish the announcements in smaller publications, newsletters, and flyers. The actual scope of the original dividend became fictionalized and some publications declared the dividend available to all veterans (not just World War II) and even to those who never carried government life insurance while in the service. The latest rumor is that active service persons, reservists and personnel separated within the last few years are eligible.

The 1948 special dividend program required veterans to apply for the payment. Over the years the dividend story has prompted hundreds of thousands of veterans to write and "apply" for this benefit. Although the amount of letters has fluctuated, we have received as many as 15-20,000 inquiries per week about this dividend in the past. Because of the volume of these requesters for a nonexistent benefit, Congress passed a law in 1970 that prohibited payment of any special dividend declared prior to 1952 unless the application was received before 1954. There has been no recent legislation authorizing any "special" dividends.

Dividends are not payable to current service members insured under Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). SGLI and VGLI are group policies and therefore, do not pay dividends.

For your information, VA continues to pay routine dividends on several policy series, but only to veterans who have kept their policies in force. These veterans receive their dividends automatically on the anniversary date of their individual policy. They do not have to apply.

Contact your local VA Regional Office for additional assistance by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000.
The latest HOAX reads as follows.
IT IS NOT TRUE.

THIS IS THE HOAX BEING EMAILED AROUND


If you are a veteran, have a family member who is a veteran or know somebody who is, this news may be of some interest to you or them. Please feel free to pass it along. The President of the U.S. has recently signed into law a bill that affects all veterans. This law states in effect that if a veteran has not registered at a Veterans Affairs Hospital since (a current date), then on (a current date) he or she will loose all medical benefits for life. To make it worse, the V.A. cannot notify veterans about it. That information must be disseminated via word of mouth or by letter. I called the local V.A. office and found out this information is true. They recommended that everyone eligible for benefits come by their office, and sign up prior to the (a current date) deadline, regardless of whether they have received treatment at a V.A. hospital since (a current date). This way no one will slip through the cracks. You will need to bring your DD-214 to your local V.A. office and it will only take about 5 minutes to complete the form. This will maintain your veterans benefits. If you cannot locate your DD-214, go to the V.A. office and they can help you obtain a copy. AS YOU SEE THIS HOAX CANNOT NAME THE BILL OR THE VA HOSPITAL THAT GIVES THE FALSE INFORMATION. THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S ONLY HALF TRUE!
If you are eligible for treatment at a VA Hospital you will be given care.
You are advised to obtain a VA Card to speed your admission to the hospital.
ATTENTION:THE TRUTH IS...
CALL YOUR LOCAL VA FACILITY TODAY AND SIGN UP FOR THE NEW FREE VA CARD EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO NEVER USE THE VA SYSTEM. BY SIGNING UP BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1998 YOU WILL HELP THE VA CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE AVAILABLE.
THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE VA STARTS OCTOBER 1 AND THAT IS THE REASON WE ARE ASKED TO SIGN UP BEFORE THEN. FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE GIVEN ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF VETERANS SIGNED UP. DO IT TODAY AND HELP YOUR LESS FORTUNATE COMRADES.
LISTED BELOW ARE LINKS THAT WILL PROVE IF WHAT YOU RECEIVE IN YOUR *EMAIL IS A HOAX OR NOT.
EACH LINK IS WELL WORTH THE TIME IT TAKES TO LOOK AT.

Bob Rosenberger's Comp Virus Myths
The Newest Trojan Scare:

Random Thoughts

The Official Government Virus Site



Other related sites, worth checking on things like this:

Urban Legends homepage:
*ICQ Lies page
(*includes email hoaxes now too! - plus good music)

ICQ LIES 2

Surf the Truth


STOP-PLAY-PAUSE


1