M21-1 Manual  /  Part XIV, Chapter 1

General Information on Matching Programs

M21-1, Part XIV, Chapter 1

Overview

In This Chapter

 This chapter contains the following topics:
TopicTopic Name
1 Purpose and Due Process Provisions of Matching Programs
2 Jurisdiction Over Reports From Matching Programs

1. Purpose and Due Process Provisions of Matching Programs


Introduction

 This topic contains information on the purpose and due process provisions of matching programs, including
  • purpose of matching programs
  • due process provisions, and
  • fraud referrals.

Change Date

 March 31, 2025

XIV.1.1.a. Purpose of Matching Programs

 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives information on a regular basis from several Federal agencies and compares it to information used to determine the status of VA beneficiaries. The matches identify cases where there are apparent contradictions between information contained in VA records and information furnished by other Federal agencies that affect entitlement. Note: Regional offices will be informed of the dates the matches are conducted.

XIV.1.1.b. Due Process Provisions

 Information derived from the matches may be used to adjust VA benefit payments. However, due process provisions are required since matching program information is third-party information. Exceptions: The Social Security Administration (SSA) death master file match allows VA to
  • suspend the beneficiary’s award, and
  • generate a contemporaneous notice of the suspension to the beneficiary’s last known address.
References: For more information on

XIV.1.1.c. Fraud Referrals

 Consider a fraud referral in all instances of failure to report income or other entitlement factors under the provisions of M21-1, Part X, Subpart iv, 3.A.

2. Jurisdiction Over Reports From Matching Programs


Introduction

 This topic contains information on jurisdiction over reports from matching programs, including
  • pension management center (PMC) responsibility, and
  • Veterans Service Center (VSC) and Benefit Eligibility Support Team (BEST) responsibility.

Change Date

 March 31, 2025

XIV.1.2.a. PMC Responsibility

 The pension management centers (PMCs) in Philadelphia, St. Paul and Milwaukee are responsible for receiving and processing all reports from matching programs involving pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation recipients, including reports from:
  • Federal tax information match, including
    • upfront verification
    • the income verification match, and
    • post award audits (PAA)
  • SSA verification match
  • Social Security number match, and
  • prison and fugitive felon match.

Note: PMCs are not responsible for reviewing PAAs related to total disability based on individual unemployability.

Reference: For more information on PMC procedures, see M21-1, Part I, Subpart ii, 1.C.

XIV.1.2.b. VSC and BEST Responsibility

The Veterans Service Center or Benefit Eligibility Support Team of jurisdiction is responsible for receiving and processing reports from
  • the SSA prison match, based on the location of the claims folder, and
  • matches involving compensation entitlement.

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Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part XIV, Chapter 1 (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →