| Commonly lost and forgotten benefits due
veterans include disability payments, burial allowances
and life insurance. Former members of the armed forces
and their heirs may also be entitled to Adjusted Service
Bonds (ASB) which were issued in registered form to World
War I veterans, and Armed Forces Leave Bonds (AFLB),
issued in registered form to World War II veterans as
compensation for accumulated but unused leave. The National
Personnel Records Center / Military Personnel Records
(NPRC-MPR) is the repository for all military personnel,
health and medical records. The Center provides DD-214's
and other separation documents that are required to
process most types of claims, including those for burial
assistance, pensions and life insurance.
Issues
specifically concerning military pay are handled by the
Defense Finance and Accounting Service. While no separate
files or comprehensive reports are maintained on
individuals due unclaimed pay and entitlements, active
duty members may claim authorized payments at any time.
There is a six-year statute of limitations on collecting
pay or entitlements once an individual has separated from
the service, however. Although safekeeping services are
no longer offered to the general public, the military
provides storage of U.S. Savings Bonds for up to one year
after a member leaves service.
For more
information and assistance tracing unclaimed veterans
benefits go to:
Veteran
Benefit Search
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