ADVOCACYVA program
VA Fiduciary Program
Protects veterans and VA beneficiaries who cannot manage their financial affairs by appointing a fiduciary (a family member, friend, or professional) to receive and manage VA benefits on their behalf.
Step-by-step guide
What you get
A person or organization VA appoints to receive and manage VA benefits for a beneficiary who cannot manage them, under VA oversight.
When VA appoints a fiduciary
- A finding that you cannot manage VA benefitsA VA rating finding, or a court finding that you cannot manage your financial affairs. Before a VA finding, VA tells you what it proposes and that you can ask for a hearing.
- Written notice of the appointmentVA tells you in writing that it appointed a fiduciary, and gives the fiduciary's name and contact details. You can appeal the appointment to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Source: 38 CFR 3.353 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.353(e) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.100 (opens in new tab); VA: Fiduciary Program (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.600(a) (opens in new tab)
Which describes you?
- A fiduciary has been proposed or appointed for me
VA can appoint a fiduciary when a beneficiary cannot manage VA benefits because of injury, disease, or advanced age, or is not yet a legal adult. You keep rights in the program, including written notice and the right to appeal.
Source: 38 CFR 13.10 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab)
- I want to serve as a fiduciary
A family member, friend, or other person can apply to be a fiduciary. VA looks first at the beneficiary's own preference, then a spouse, then relatives, then others.
- VA checks the proposed fiduciaryThis can include a face-to-face interview, a credit report, and a criminal background check.
Source: 38 CFR 13.100(e) (opens in new tab); VA: Fiduciary Program (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.100(f) (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA competency rating or court order VA's rating that a beneficiary cannot manage VA benefits, based on medical evidence VA holds, or a court order finding the same. | Why VA placed the beneficiary in the fiduciary program | VA makes the rating from medical records it receives. If a court has already decided, VA can rely on that finding. | |
| VA's written notice VA's letter on the appointment, with its reasons and how to appeal. | What VA decided and the appeal route | VA sends it to the beneficiary and their representative or guardian. | Yes |
| Potential Fiduciary Application The self-registration to be considered as a fiduciary. | That you are willing to serve | Submit it to VA through the AccessVA website, as the VA fiduciary page describes. |
Records and statements go to VA. BeneVets never asks you to upload or type them here.
Steps, in order
- Read VA's notice
It states the decision, the reasons, a summary of the evidence VA used, and how and when to appeal.
Source: 38 CFR 13.20 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.600(a) (opens in new tab)
- Get free help with an appeal
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab)
- Apply to serve
Self-register with the Potential Fiduciary Application through AccessVA. VA then checks your suitability.
Source: VA: Fiduciary Program (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.100(f) (opens in new tab)
Good to know
A fiduciary must use the funds for the beneficiary and their dependents and look after the beneficiary's well-being. They must also protect their private information, and send VA an accounting when VA requires one.
Source: 38 CFR 13.140 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.280 (opens in new tab)
A beneficiary can make a reasonable request for a new fiduciary, and can ask to leave the program when VA rates them able to manage their own benefits.
Misuse is spending the money on anything other than the beneficiary and their dependents. VA can look into a report of misuse from anyone, and a beneficiary can appeal a misuse decision to the Board.
Source: 38 CFR 13.400(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.400(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.600(a) (opens in new tab)
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at /vso-directory. A beneficiary has the right to a representative in a fiduciary appeal.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 8, 2026: 38 CFR 3.353 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 3.353(e) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.10 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.20 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.30(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.100 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.100(e) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.100(f) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.140 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.280 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.400(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.400(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 13.600(a) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab), VA: Fiduciary Program (opens in new tab)