VA Form 21-8951-2: Guide to Waive VA Pay for Drill – VA Form 21-8951-2 is a critical document for U.S. veterans serving in the National Guard or Reserves who receive both VA disability compensation (or pension) and military training pay. This form allows you to formally notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of your election to waive one type of payment for specific training days to comply with federal law prohibiting dual receipt.
What Is VA Form 21-8951-2?
VA Form 21-8951-2, titled Notice of Waiver of VA Compensation or Pension to Receive Military Pay and Allowances, is used by reservists and guardsmen to report training days and elect whether to waive VA benefits or military pay for those days.
By law (10 U.S.C. 12316 and 38 U.S.C. 5304(c)), you cannot receive full VA disability compensation/pension and military drill or training pay for the same days. The form ensures proper adjustment of your VA payments and helps avoid overpayment debts.
The current revision date is March 2023, with OMB approval valid through 3/31/2026.
Who Needs to Submit VA Form 21-8951-2?
This form primarily applies to:
- National Guard members
- Reserve component service members
- Veterans receiving VA disability compensation or pension who performed inactive duty training (drill) or active duty for training
Typically, units report about 63 training days per fiscal year (October 1 – September 30), often calculated as 4 days’ credit for a standard weekend drill.
Why You Can’t Receive Both VA Compensation and Military Drill Pay?
Federal law prevents concurrent receipt of VA disability compensation and military training pay for the same periods. Without proper waiver documentation, the VA may recoup (deduct) the overlapping amount from your VA benefits, potentially creating a debt.
Submitting the form allows you to choose the more financially beneficial option for each set of training days.
How to Decide: Waive VA Benefits or Waive Military Pay?
Most veterans find it advantageous to waive VA benefits for the training days and keep the military pay, as drill pay is often higher on a daily basis than the prorated VA compensation.
Note: The option to waive military pay (keeping full VA benefits) usually results in less total money for most people.
Calculate your daily rates:
- Divide your monthly VA compensation by ~30
- Compare to your military daily drill pay rate
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out VA Form 21-8951-2?
- Section I: Provide your full name, SSN, VA file number, date of birth, contact information.
- Section II: Verify or correct the fiscal year and number of training days (from your pay statements or unit records).
- Section III:
- Confirm or correct training days.
- Check one election box:
- Waive VA benefits to keep training pay (recommended for most).
- Waive military pay to keep VA compensation.
- Indicate no military pay received.
- Section IV: Sign and date. Your unit commander or designee must also sign (especially important on the blank 21-8951-2 version).
You can fill it out online or by hand (print neatly in ink). Return within 60 days.
Download the official form here: VA Form 21-8951-2 PDF
Where to Submit VA Form 21-8951-2
Mail to the appropriate VA Intake Center:
- Compensation Claims: Department of Veterans Affairs, Compensation Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- Pension & Survivors Benefits: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365
You may also upload it via VA.gov in many cases.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect number of training days (leads to improper adjustments or debts).
- Forgetting unit commander signature on Form 21-8951-2.
- Missing the 60-day deadline.
- Choosing the wrong waiver option without calculating daily rates.
Always verify training days against your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or unit records.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this form required annually?
Yes, it typically applies to each fiscal year.
What if the pre-filled days on the form are wrong?
You can correct them and have your commander certify the accurate number.
Can I submit the form electronically?
Check VA.gov for upload options or mail the completed PDF.
What happens if I don’t submit the form?
The VA may assume you want to waive VA benefits for the reported days and adjust accordingly, after providing notice.
Additional Resources
- Official VA Form Page: VA.gov – VA Form 21-8951-2
- Contact VA: 1-800-827-1000
- Consult your VA Regional Office or military pay office for personalized advice.
This form helps Guard and Reserve veterans maximize their total compensation while staying compliant with the law. Always use the most current version from VA.gov and double-check your entries before submission.
Information based on official VA sources and current as of 2026. Laws and procedures can change—verify with the VA for your specific situation.