VA Form 21P-4718a. Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose Financial Records
The VA Form 21P-4718a, also known as the Certificate of Balance on Deposit and Authorization to Disclose Financial Records, is a form used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain information about the financial status of veterans or their dependents. The main purpose of the form is to verify the amount of money on deposit in a financial institution and authorize the financial institution to disclose financial records to the VA.
The form consists of three parts: Part I, where the veteran or dependent provides personal information such as name, address, and Social Security Number; Part II, where the financial institution provides information about the account balance and authorizes the release of financial records to the VA; and Part III, where the veteran or dependent signs to authorize the release of financial records to the VA.
Important fields on the form include the name and address of the financial institution, the account number, and the balance on deposit. It is important to provide accurate and complete information on the form to ensure that the VA has the necessary information to process benefits claims.
The parties involved in the form are the veteran or dependent and the financial institution where the account is held. It is important to consider the privacy and security of personal financial information when filling out the form.
When filling out the form, the veteran or dependent will need to provide personal information and the financial institution will need to provide information about the account balance and authorize the release of financial records. No additional documents are required to be attached to the form.
Application examples and use cases for the form include verifying the financial status of veterans or their dependents for the purpose of determining eligibility for benefits such as pension or disability compensation.
Strengths of the form include its simplicity and ease of use, while weaknesses include the potential for errors or inaccuracies in the information provided. Opportunities for the form include potential improvements in the verification process for determining eligibility for benefits. Threats related to the form include potential privacy and security concerns related to the release of personal financial information.
Related forms include the VA Form 21P-527EZ, which is used to apply for pension benefits, and the VA Form 21P-601, which is used to report changes in income and net worth.
The form affects the future of the participants by providing the VA with information necessary to determine eligibility for benefits and ensure that benefits are provided to those who are entitled to them.
The form can be submitted online or by mail to the VA regional office. Once submitted, the form is stored in the VA's electronic records system.