VA · Official form

VA Form 21-8951-2: Notice of Waiver of VA Compensation or Pension to Receive Military Pay and Allowances

VA Form 21-8951-2 is how National Guard and Reserve members who also receive VA compensation or pension resolve the ban on double payment: for each day of drill or training pay, they waive one day of VA benefits, or waive the military pay instead.

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What is VA Form 21-8951-2?

VA Form 21-8951-2, Notice of Waiver of VA Compensation or Pension to Receive Military Pay and Allowances, exists because federal law does not allow a person to receive VA compensation or pension and military pay for the same day. Guard and Reserve members who perform drills, annual training, or active duty for training must elect which payment to keep. Most members keep the military pay, since drill pay for a day usually exceeds a day of VA compensation, and VA then withholds an equal number of days of VA benefits.

The 21-8951-2 is the self-reporting version of the form: instead of waiting for the VA-generated mailer (VA Form 21-8951), the veteran fills in the fiscal year and number of training days, makes the election, and has the unit commander certify the days when required. The current edition is dated March 2023.

Who files VA Form 21-8951-2?

National Guard and Reserve members receiving VA disability compensation who performed paid drills or training
VA pension recipients who received military pay and allowances during the year
Members electing to waive military pay and keep VA benefits instead, which is rarely the better deal but allowed
Veterans correcting the number of training days shown on a VA-generated 21-8951 mailer

How to fill out VA Form 21-8951-2

Fill in your name, Social Security number, VA file number, and current address.
Enter the fiscal year and the number of days of military pay and allowances you received for drills and training.
Mark your election: waive VA compensation or pension for those days (the usual choice), or waive the military pay instead.
Sign and date the form, and obtain the unit commander certification of your training days where the form requires it.
Submit it to VA through va.gov or by mail to the address in the form instructions. VA will withhold the waived days from future payments.

Worth knowing: Training days generally need unit commander certification, so route the form through your unit before sending it to VA. Check your points or pay statement so the day count matches your records.

Quick fill VA Form 21-8951-2 on this page

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Page 1 22 fields

2. Social Security Number. Enter last four digits.

FROM.

Read IMPORTANT Information above. TO. NAME AND ADDRESS OF VETERAN.

SECTION 1. VETERAN'S IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION. NOTE: You may complete the form online or by hand. If completed by hand, print the

1. Name of Veteran. Enter Last Name. 18 characters max.

1. Name of Veteran. Enter Middle Initial. 1 character max.

2. Social Security Number. Enter middle two digits.

2. Social Security Number. Enter first three digits.

3. V. A. File Number. Enter 9 digit file number.

4. Date of Birth. Enter 4 digit Year.

4. Date of Birth. Enter 2 digit Month.

4. Date of Birth. Enter 2 digit Day.

5. Veteran's Service Number (If applicable). Enter 9 digits.

6. Telephone Number. Enter last four digits.

6. Telephone Number. Enter second three digits.

6. Telephone Number (Include Area Code). Enter first three digits.

6. Enter International Phone Number (If applicable).

7. EMAIL ADDRESS (Optional). Line 1 of 2. 17 characters max.

7. EMAIL ADDRESS (Optional). Line 2 of 2. 17 characters max.

SECTION 2 - TRAINING PAY INFORMATION. Read information above. Please enter the number of days for which you received training pay below.

TRAINING DAYS. Enter number of days.

7. I agree to receive electronic correspondence from V. A. in regards to my claim.

Page 2 21 fields

SECTION 3 - ELECTION NOTICE. 8. Complete the appropriate box below, sign this form, secure the signature of your unit commander or

9. Check only one of the following boxes. I elect to waive V. A. benefits for the days indicated in order to retain my training pay.

14. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF RESERVE / GUARD UNIT. 20 characters max. Line 1 of 4.

14. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF RESERVE / GUARD UNIT. 20 characters max. Line 2 of 4.

14. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF RESERVE / GUARD UNIT. 20 characters max. Line 3 of 4.

14. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF RESERVE / GUARD UNIT. 20 characters max. Line 4 of 4.

Veteran's Social Security Number. Enter last four digits.

Veteran's Social Security Number. Enter middle two digits.

Veteran's Social Security Number. Enter first three digits.

8. TRAINING DAYS. Enter number of days.

8. FISCAL YEAR. Enter 4 digit Year.

11. DATE SIGNED. Enter 4 digit Year.

13. DATE SIGNED. Enter 2 digit Day.

13. DATE SIGNED. Enter 2 digit Month.

13. DATE SIGNED. Enter 4 digit Year.

11. DATE SIGNED. Enter 2 digit Month.

11. DATE SIGNED. Enter 2 digit Day.

15. UNIT TELEPHONE NUMBER. Enter last four digits.

15. UNIT TELEPHONE NUMBER. Enter second three digits.

15. UNIT TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include Area Code). Enter first three digits.

15. Enter International Phone Number (If applicable).

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Frequently asked questions

Why can I not keep both drill pay and VA compensation?

Federal law prohibits receiving VA compensation or pension and military pay for the same day. The waiver form is how you choose which one to keep for your training days. For most members drill pay is higher, so waiving VA pay for those days costs less.

How does VA collect the waived days?

VA withholds the equivalent number of days of compensation or pension from future monthly payments rather than sending you a bill. The withholding typically shows up as a temporarily reduced payment after VA processes the form.

What if the number of training days VA has is wrong?

Correct it on the form using your points statement or pay records, and have your unit commander certify the corrected number. Only days you were actually paid military pay and allowances count against your VA benefits.

VA Form 21-8951-2: Notice of Waiver of VA Compensation or Pension to Receive Military Pay and Allowances

What is VA Form 21-8951-2?

Who files VA Form 21-8951-2?

How to fill out VA Form 21-8951-2

Quick fill VA Form 21-8951-2 on this page

Frequently asked questions

Related forms

VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation

VA Form 21-8940: Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability

VA Form 21-4138: Statement in Support of Claim