Originally published: 2024-05-03T13:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.
Waiting for a benefit check to be delivered in the mail is a slow and tiresome process. Checks can also be lost or stolen. Thankfully, VA’s Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) has helped thousands of Veterans and their families make the conversion to direct deposit, which is quick, easy and secure.
In fact, VBBP has surpassed 100 participating financial institutions and converted more than 340,000 benefit recipients to direct deposit since its launch in 2019. The 100th financial institution to participate in VBBP was PlainsCapital Bank, and the 101st was Frontwave Credit Union.
With the assistance of the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), VA launched VBBP to help Veterans, beneficiaries, caregivers and survivors open accounts and enroll in direct deposit for their VA benefits.
VBBP-participating institutions also help Veterans access traditional products and services via this financial network and encourage financial inclusivity that results in Veterans saving more, building wealth and accessing credit.
“Thanks to VBBP, VA officially reached 101 participating financial institutions and a new highpoint in conversions in February—averaging over 1,700 per week,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs. “Receiving benefits through direct deposit is faster and safer than a mailed check and lowers the risk of missed payments and fraud.”
VBBP leverages a group of military and Veteran-friendly financial institutions that have experience dealing with the unique financial issues facing the military and Veteran communities.
In 2022, VA and AMBA expanded VBBP to include free financial and credit counseling, as well as free financial education programs (VetCents and Veteran Saves) to help Veterans and their families achieve financial resilience, increase savings, gain economic stability and more.
All participating banks and credit unions are federally regulated, as well as FDIC or NCUA insured.
Learn more about VBBP.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.
