Health Eligibility Center (HEC) Income Verification (IV) Forms
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
06/23/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2025
117,109
122,789
48,338
49,758
0
0
VHA Directive 1909 provides policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Eligibility Center (HEC) Income Verification (IV) Program under authority of 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1722; 38 U.S.C. 5317. Title 38 U.S.C. 1722 established eligibility assessment procedures, based on income levels, for determining whether nonservice-connected (NSC) Veterans and non-compensable zero percent service-connected (SC) Veterans, who have no other special eligibility are eligible to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care at no cost. Title 26 U.S.C. 6103 (l)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, and 38 U.S.C. 5317 establish authority for VA to verify Veterans’ gross household income information against records maintained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) when that information indicates the Veteran is eligible for cost-free VA health care.
In accordance with VHA Directive 1909, it is VA policy that the Health Eligibility Center (HEC) is responsible for the Income Verification Program, i.e., verifying NSC and non-compensable zero percent SC Veterans’ gross household income through computer matching activity with IRS and SSA. The social security numbers (SSNs) of all Veterans and their spouses identified in the financial assessment will be verified under the Social Security Number Verification Information Exchange Agreement (IEA), between the SSA and VHA HEC, prior to income matching activity with IRS. If IRS and SSA income matching identifies discrepancies in the Veteran’s self-reported gross household income information that potentially impacts eligibility for VA health care benefits, HEC must independently verify the IRS and SSA income data. If the Veteran’s eligibility for VA health care benefits is changed as a result of the income verification process, HEC will transmit the updated eligibility information to those facilities that provided health services to the Veteran during the applicable income-reporting period.
HEC’s Income Verification Division (IVD) sends Veterans and spouses individual letters and forms to confirm income information reported by IRS and SSA. HEC does not change the Veteran’s copay status until information supplied by IRS and SSA has been independently verified, either by the Veteran or through appropriate due process procedures. This collection has been revised by removing VA Form 10-302A because all relevant information can be reported on VA Form 10-302. There is a reduction in the burden hours due to the removal of VA Form 10-302A from the collection.
US Code:
38 USC 5317
Name of Law: Use of income information from other agencies
US Code:
26 USC 6103
Name of Law: Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information
US Code:
38 USC 1722
Name of Law: Determination of Income Thresholds
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.