What this means
m21-1:VI.i.2.A explains requests for financial audits. In plain terms, the official guidance says a request for a financial audit is initiated to verify that the payments received by a beneficiary are consistent with the benefits payable. It also addresses correspondence suggesting disagreement with a VA decision or requesting entitlement to additional benefits will be treated as a request for application, and processed as directed in M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.G.1.a.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:VI.i.2.A as an internal VA audit trail for requests for financial audits, not as a promise of a particular result. Compare the actions recorded in your claim file or decision notice with this source-specific detail: A request for a financial audit is initiated to verify that the payments received by a beneficiary are consistent with the benefits payable. Correspondence suggesting disagreement with a VA decision or requesting entitlement to additional benefits will be treated as a request for application, and processed as directed in M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.G.1.a. If the record does not show the expected action, identify the missing step precisely when asking VA or an accredited representative to review the file.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: A request for a financial audit is initiated to verify that the payments received by a beneficiary are consistent with the benefits payable.
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: The submission may consist of, but is not limited to, a request to review and verify the
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: Step — Action; 1 — Establish an end product (EP) 290, using the date of the request’s receipt by VA as the date of claim, and more appropriate of the following claim labels:
Important limits
m21-1:VI.i.2.A is primarily internal workflow guidance about requests for financial audits. It can help identify what VA was expected to document, but it does not by itself create a claimant deadline, a freestanding entitlement, or a guaranteed remedy. The source also states: A request for a financial audit is initiated to verify that the payments received by a beneficiary are consistent with the benefits payable. Following receipt of an audit request referral from a regional office (RO), the finance activity closest to the zip code of the geographical area where the Veteran currently resides will
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Requests for Financial Audits
- m21-1:VI.i.2.A
- Requests Financial Audits
- identifying request financial audit
- actions take response audit
- finance activity responsibilities regard
- handling beneficiary withdrawal request
- VI.i.2.A.1.a. Identifying Request Financial
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the topic “ Requests for Financial Audits.”
1. Requests for Financial Audits
Introduction
This topic contains information on requests for financial audits, including
- identifying a request for a financial audit
- actions to take in response to an audit request
- finance activity responsibilities with regard to audit requests, and
- handling a beneficiary’s withdrawal of a request for a financial audit.
Change Date
March 16, 2026
VI.i.2.A.1.a. Identifying a Request for a Financial Audit
A request for a financial audit is initiated to verify that the payments received by a beneficiary are consistent with the benefits payable.
The submission may consist of, but is not limited to, a request to review and verify the
- accuracy of a payment(s)
- authenticity of a debt, or
- current balance of a debt.
Correspondence suggesting disagreement with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision or requesting entitlement to additional benefits will be treated as a request for application, and processed as directed in M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.G.1.a.
VI.i.2.A.1.b. Actions to Take in Response to an Audit Request
Follow the steps in the table below to process a request for an audit of financial payments and/or accounting from a beneficiary or a retired pay center (RPC).
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Establish an end product (EP) 290, using the date of the request’s receipt by VA as the date of claim, and more appropriate of the following claim labels: Audit Request (for compensation claims), or PMC – Audit Request (for pension claims), and enter Audit request as an associated contention. |
| 2 | Review the substance of the audit request and use the table below to determine the next action. |
| 3 | Send an encrypted e-mail requesting performance of an audit to the finance activity closest to the zip code of the geographical area where the Veteran currently resides upload a copy of the e-mail to the beneficiary’s electronic claims folder (eFolder), and add the appropriate tracked item, as identified in M21-4, Appendix D, with a 30-day suspense. Reference: For more information on the finance activity’s responsibilities with regard to audit requests, see M21-1, Part VI, Subpart i, 2.A.1.c. |
| 4 | Did the finance activity determine an award adjustment is necessary to resolve discrepancies in the beneficiary’s payments? If yes, make the award adjustment under the pending EP 290, and provide the beneficiary and/or RPC with a corresponding decision notice. If no, clear the pending EP 290. |
Notes:
- There is no standard form requirement for a request for financial audit.
- Do not include review rights when notifying a beneficiary of the outcome of a request for a financial audit unless the request resulted in an adjustment to the beneficiary’s award.
VI.i.2.A.1.c. Finance Activity Responsibilities With Regard to Audit Requests
Following receipt of an audit request referral from a regional office (RO), the finance activity closest to the zip code of the geographical area where the Veteran currently resides will
- conduct the audit by reviewing the beneficiary’s payment activity, and
- take additional actions as outlined in the table below.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| If the audit reveals... | Then the finance activity will... |
|---|---|
| that benefit payments have been processed appropriately | notify the beneficiary of the audit’s outcome upload associated and supporting documentation to the eFolder, and direct the RO to clear the pending EP 290. |
| discrepancies in the beneficiary’s payment activity | process any necessary actions that cannot be completed through award adjustment by the RO upload associated and supporting documentation to the eFolder, and/or notify the RO of any award adjustments deemed necessary to reconcile the noted payment discrepancies. |
VI.i.2.A.1.d. Handling a Beneficiary’s Withdrawal of a Request for a Financial Audit
Treat a beneficiary’s withdrawal of a request for a financial audit like a request to withdraw a claim.
- Follow the instructions in M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.F.3.c, for notifying the beneficiary.
- Clear the EP 290, selecting Claim Withdrawn as the reason for the action.