How to Apply
To become a fiduciary for a family member or friend, submit a request with the beneficiary‘s name and VA file number, and your name and contact information to the VA regional office nearest you.
To become a professional fiduciary, submit your resume with cover letter to the following e-mail address: VA_Fiduciary@va.gov. Include your name, the name of your organization (if applicable), mailing address, and e-mail address with your request.
Selection Process
The fiduciary selection is based on an assessment of the qualifications of the proposed fiduciary. When seeking a fiduciary the following individuals may be considered:
- A spouse or family member
- Court-appointed fiduciaries
- Another interested party, or
- A professional fiduciary
An assessment of the qualifications of a proposed fiduciary includes, but is not limited to:
- The willingness to serve and abide by all agreements
- An interview with a VA representative
- Credit report review
- An inquiry into the criminal background, and
- Interviews with character witnesses
Responsibilities
Any individual appointed as a VA fiduciary is responsible for managing the beneficiary‘s VA income and ensuring the beneficiary‘s just debts are paid. Additional, responsibilities of the fiduciary include, but are not limited to the following:
- Utilizing the funds for the daily needs (e.g., food, clothing, housing, medical expenses, and personal items) of the beneficiary and his/her recognized dependents.
- Never borrowing, loaning, or gifting funds belonging to the beneficiary.
- Reporting any of the following changes to the Fiduciary Activity immediately:
- Change in address or phone number of the beneficiary or fiduciary
- Change in income or dependents
- Incarceration of the beneficiary
- Hospitalization of the beneficiary in a VA or state facility, and
- Death of the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s dependents
- Establishing a properly titled bank account as follows: (Beneficiary’s Name), by (Fiduciary’s Name, Federal Fiduciary).
- Never commingling the beneficiary‘s funds with those of another.
- Never withdrawing cash from the beneficiary’s account by counter check or ATM withdrawal.
- Obtaining prior approval for any nonrecurring expense exceeding $1,000.00.
- Timely submitting periodic accountings when required.
- Keeping accurate, complete records and receipts, regardless of any requirement to submit periodic accountings.
- Conserving excess funds in a federally or state insured interest bearing account or United States savings bonds.
- Registering saving bonds to reflect proper ownership and the existence of the fiduciary relationship, as follows: (Beneficiary‘s Name), (Social Security No.), under custodianship by designation of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Reporting any event that affects the beneficiary‘s payment or entitlement to benefits and promptly returning any payment that the beneficiary is not due.
- Notifying VA of any changes or circumstances that would affect your performance as a payee or your decision to continue to serve as a payee (e.g., you sell or transfer your business).
- Returning any funds owned by the beneficiary to VA if you stop serving as the fiduciary.
- Notifying the VA if the beneficiary‘s condition improves to a point where you believe he or she no longer needs a fiduciary.
- Protecting the beneficiary‘s funds from the claims of creditors since the beneficiary‘s funds are protected by law.