The VA Form 28-8832, also known as the Application for Counseling, represents an essential tool for veterans and their beneficiaries seeking counseling services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This document, which carries an OMB Approval No. 2900-0265 and notes a respondent burden of 30 minutes, is designed to safeguard applicants' privacy while facilitating access to vital counseling services. It explicitly adheres to the Privacy Act of 1974 and Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576, ensuring that information collected is disclosed only for authorized purposes as detailed in the VA system of records. The requirement for applicants to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) underscores the seriousness with which the VA approaches both the identification process and the confidentiality of applicant data. Furthermore, the form serves as a gateway for veterans, surviving spouses, and children to inquire about a range of counseling services available to them, including career and educational guidance, thereby underlining the VA's commitment to supporting beneficiaries' post-service life. By laying out the steps for application, including eligibility criteria and necessary documentation, VA Form 28-8832 simplifies the process for applicants seeking counseling services, which are provided at no charge, although travel costs are the applicant's responsibility. The document also highlights procedures for submitting feedback or suggestions, demonstrating the VA's openness to continuous improvement based on applicant and beneficiary experiences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | 28 8832 Form |
| Form Length | 3 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 45 sec |
| Other names |
OMB Approved No.
Respondent Burden: 30 minutes
APPLICATION FOR COUNSELING
PRIVACY ACT INFORMATION: The VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22, Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records - VA, published in the Federal Register. Your obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain benefits. Giving us your SSN account information is mandatory. Applicants are required to provide their SSN under Title 38 USC 5101 (c) (1). The VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by a Federal Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect. The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Any information provided by applicants, recipients, and others may be subject to verification through computer matching programs with other agencies.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine if the veteran and other beneficiaries are eligible for counseling services that VR&E. services provide. Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. We estimate that you will need an average of 30 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at www.whitehouse.gov./omb/library/OMBINV.VA.EPA.html#VA . If desired, you can call
INTERNET VERSION AVAILABLE
PART I - APPLICANT INFORMATION
1A. NAME OF APPLICANT |
|
1B. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF APPLICANT |
|
AC. VA FILE NUMBER (If known) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
2A. SEX OF APPLICANT |
|
B. APPLICANT’S |
|
2C. DATE OF BIRTH |
||
MALE |
FEMALE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3A. RELATIONSHIP OF APPLICANT TO VETERAN |
|
|
3B. APPLICANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER (Including Area Code) |
|||
SELF |
SURVIVING SPOUSE |
CHILD |
PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER (Where a message |
OTHER PHONE NUMBER |
||
SPOUSE |
|
|
can be left) |
|
|
|
STEPCHILD |
ADOPTED CHILD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3C. MAILING ADDRESS OF APPLICANT (Number and street or rural route, city or P.O., State and ZIP Code)
VA DATE STAMP (For VA Use Only)
a. ARE YOU A HANDICAPPED CHILD, 14 YEARS OR OLDER, SPOUSE, OR SURVIVING SPOUSE SEEKING SPECIAL RESTORATIVE TRAINING? (See Instructions)
YES NO
B. ARE YOU A HANDICAPPED CHILD,SPOUSE, OR SURVIVING SPOUSE SEEKING SPECIAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING? (See Instructions)
YES NO
5.HAVE YOU RECEIVED AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET EXPLAINING SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS?
YES NO
PART II - INFORMATION CONCERNING DISABLED OR DECEASED VETERAN OR INDIVIDUAL ON ACTIVE DUTY
a. NAME OF VETERAN OR INDIVIDUAL ON ACTIVE DUTY ON WHOSE ACCOUNT BENEFITS ARE CLAIMED (FIRST- MIDDLE
B. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER |
|
AC. VA FILE NUMBER (If known) |
|
|
|
|
|
7. DATE OF BIRTH |
8. BRANCH OF SERVICE |
9. SERVICE NUMBER |
10. DATE OF DEATH OR DATE LISTED |
|
|
|
AS MISSING IN ACTION OR P.O.W. |
|
|
|
|
PART III - SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING APPLICANT
11. IF YOU ARE THE SPOUSE OF A DISABLED VETERAN, IS A DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT PENDING?
YES
NO
12A. IF YOU ARE THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DECEASED VETERAN, HAVE YOU REMARRIED SINCE HIS OR HER DEATH ?
AB. SURVIVING SPOUSE’S AGE AT TIME OF REMARRIAGE
YES
NO
13. HAVE YOU EVER APPLIED FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING VA BENEFITS? (Check applicable box(yes)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BENEFITS (Chapter 31)
VETERANS’ EDUCATION ASSISTANCE BASED ON YOUR OWN SERVICE (Specify benefit)
DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE (Chapter 35)
SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE (Complete Items a and AB) on reverse)
OTHER (Specify)
F.
NONE
VA FORM |
SUPERSEDES VA FORM |
|
JAN 2007 |
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED. |
NOTE: COMPLETE ITEMS 14A AND 14B ONLY IF YOU CHECKED ITEM 13D
14A. NAME OF VETERAN ON WHOSE ACCOUNT YOU PREVIOUSLY CLAIMED BENEFITS
14B. VETERANS FILE NUMBER OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
PART IV - APPLICANT’S MILITARY SERVICE
15.HAVE YOU EVER SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES? (Including an initial period of active duty for training for a period of 3 months or more OR subsequent periods of active duty for training of 6 months or more) (If "NO," skip this part and continue to Part V)
YES
NO
16. SERVICE INFORMATION
(Enter the following information for each period of active duty. Attach a copy of your DD214.
If you have already sent VA a DD214, do not send one with this application)
A. DATE ENTERED
ACTIVE DUTY
B. DATE SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY
C. BRANCH OF SERVICE OR RESERVE
OR GUARD COMPONENT
D. CHARACTER OF
DISCHARGE
17.REMARKS (Use this space to provide information that does not fit elsewhere on this form or that will help VA process your claim. Refer to the item numbers on this form to help us match your answers to the correct questions. If more space is needed, please attach separate sheets of paper. Be sure to place your name and Social Security Number on each additional page)
PART V - CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT
(All Applicants Must Complete This Part)
I CERTIFY THAT all statements in my application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
PENALTY: Willfully false statements as to a material fact in a claim for counseling benefits is a punishable offense and may result in the forfeiture of these or other benefits and in criminal penalties.
18A. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT (DO NOT PRINT)
SIGN HERE
IN INK
18B. DATE SIGNED
PART VI - SIGNATURE OF PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR CUSTODIAN
(This section must be completed if you are a minor child)
19A. NAME OF PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR CUSTODIAN (Type or print) |
19B. TELEPHONE NUMBER AND MAIL ADDRESS OF PARENT, GUARDIAN, |
|
OR CUSTODIAN (Include Area Code), |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|||
20A. SIGNATURE OF (Check one) (DO NOT PRINT) |
20B. DATE SIGNED |
20C. DATE REFERRED TO VR & E |
|||
PARENT |
GUARDIAN |
CUSTODIAN |
|
|
|
SIGN HERE |
|
|
|
|
|
IN INK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APPLICATION FOR COUNSELING
Information And Instructions For Completing This Application
(Please keep these instructions for future reference)
This VA form
VA VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING HELP IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE if you meet one of the following conditions:
1.You are a veteran or dependent eligible for educational benefits under a program that VA administers;
2.You were discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not more than 1 year ago;
3.You are on active duty and 6 months or less remain before your scheduled release or discharge from service.
You may get counseling about any matter, including personal problems, related to:
. Career choice and career preparation
. School or job training
. Job selection and job search
What is discussed in counseling depends on you, your situation and needs. You can learn more about yourself; career opportunities and requirements; training possibilities; sources of financial aid; and how to carry through on plans that you make.
HOW TO GET COUNSELING
Complete this application and send it to the nearest United States Department of Veterans Affairs office. To get the address of the local VA office call
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please complete only those areas which are applicable to you. The number on the instructions matches the item numbers on the application. Items not mentioned are
ITEM 2C. VA may have assigned the veteran or individual an
ITEM 3A. "Child" includes adopted children and step children who are members of the veteran’s or individual’s household. Married children are eligible.
ITEM 13F. Check this box if you have never applied for VA educational benefits.
ITEM 14A AND B. If you have previously applied for benefits as the dependent child or spouse of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to
security number in 14B.
This form is an application for counseling only. DO NOT use this form to apply for VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (Chapter 31) (use the VA form