VA Form 26-8937 Verification of VA Benefits Guide 2026

VA Form 26-8937 Verification of VA Benefits Guide 2026 – VA Form 26-8937, officially titled Verification of VA Benefits, plays a specific but important role in the VA home loan guaranty program. Lenders use it in limited situations to verify a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s VA benefit status, confirm any existing indebtedness to VA, and determine eligibility for exemption from the VA funding fee.

The current version of the form is dated May 2025 and remains valid through the OMB expiration date of May 31, 2028. While updates to the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) have reduced how often this form is needed, it is still required in certain cases involving pending pre-discharge claims, specific COE conditions, or funding fee exemption verification.

What Is VA Form 26-8937 and Why Does It Matter?

VA Form 26-8937 helps authorized lenders obtain official verification from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding a borrower’s VA benefits. This includes confirming receipt of service-connected disability compensation, non-service-connected pension, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses. The form also checks for any VA benefit-related indebtedness and supports determinations about the VA funding fee.

The form carries OMB Control Number 2900-0406. The estimated time to complete it is approximately 5 minutes for the veteran/applicant portion. VA personnel complete the “For VA Use Only” section after performing the verification.

Who Should Complete VA Form 26-8937?

Lenders initiate the process by completing the top portion (including their name and address) when the form is required.

Veterans or applicants complete Items 1–10 only if they meet one or more of these conditions:

  • Currently receiving VA disability payments
  • Have received VA disability payments in the past
  • Would receive VA disability payments but for receipt of retired pay
  • Filed a claim for VA disability benefits prior to discharge from active duty
  • Are a surviving spouse of a veteran and receiving DIC payments

VA staff then verify the information, check for indebtedness, note any funding fee exemption status, and return the completed form to the lender (or update the COE record).

When Is VA Form 26-8937 Required in 2026?

Due to significant improvements to the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) process that began in March 2021, lenders no longer need to submit VA Form 26-8937 in most cases. The COE now displays much of the income and funding fee information directly.

Lenders should submit the form only in these limited circumstances:

  • An active-duty service member has a pending pre-discharge disability claim or has received a proposed/memorandum rating
  • The COE contains a specific condition requiring submission of the form
  • System anomalies appear on the COE that cannot be resolved after contacting VA
  • Verification of funding fee exemption status is needed for certain surviving spouses or other specific situations

In all other cases, lenders should rely on the information already shown on the COE. Submitting the form unnecessarily will not be processed by VA.

How to Complete VA Form 26-8937? (Step-by-Step)

  1. Lender completes the “TO: NAME AND ADDRESS OF LENDER” section at the top.
  2. Veteran/applicant completes Items 1–10 (only if they qualify based on the instructions):
    • Item 1: Full name of the veteran
    • Item 2: Current address
    • Item 3: Date of birth
    • Item 4: VA claim folder number (C-file number, if known)
    • Item 5: Social Security Number
    • Item 6: Service number (if different from SSN)
    • Item 7: Certify whether they have or do not have VA benefit-related indebtedness and authorize VA to release information
    • Item 8: Certify whether they have or have not filed a pre-discharge VA disability claim
    • Item 9: Signature of veteran (in ink)
    • Item 10: Date signed
  3. VA completes the “FOR VA USE ONLY” section, including any indebtedness details, funding fee exemption status, incompetence determination, or notes about insufficient information.

The completed form must be retained in the lender’s loan origination package.

How to Submit VA Form 26-8937?

Authorized lenders should upload the completed form to the WebLGY system rather than faxing it. Upload it under the appropriate loan application or COE record, selecting the document type “Form 26-8937.”

VA processes the form, updates the COE record when applicable, and makes the updated information available to the lender in WebLGY. Lenders should allow up to five business days for processing before inquiring about status.

Fax submission is no longer accepted.

VA Form 26-8937 and VA Funding Fee Exemption

One of the most common uses of this form is to verify eligibility for exemption from the VA funding fee. Veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation are generally exempt. The form helps confirm this status in cases where the COE does not already reflect the exemption clearly, such as with pending pre-discharge claims or for surviving spouses receiving DIC.

If the veteran is determined exempt, the lender does not collect the funding fee. If not exempt, the fee must be paid or financed and submitted with VA Form 26-1820 after closing.

Practical Tips for Completing VA Form 26-8937 Accurately

  • Only have the veteran complete the form when the specific conditions listed in the instructions apply.
  • Double-check that the veteran signs in ink and dates the form correctly.
  • Ensure the lender’s full mailing address (including ZIP code) is entered at the top.
  • If the veteran has a pending pre-discharge claim, note this clearly in Item 8.
  • Lenders should review the COE first — many cases no longer require the form.
  • Keep a copy of the completed form in the loan file for post-closing review.

What Happens After VA Processes the Form?

VA reviews the information, performs a debt check, and completes the “For VA Use Only” section. The lender then receives the updated information, typically through WebLGY. The COE record is updated to reflect funding fee status or other verified details. This helps the lender proceed with loan processing or prior approval requirements when applicable.

How VA Form 26-8937 Fits Into the Overall VA Home Loan Process?

This form works alongside the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Veterans and service members should first obtain their COE, which most lenders can pull electronically. The 26-8937 form serves as a supplemental verification tool only when the COE does not provide sufficient detail. Using the COE whenever possible speeds up the loan process for everyone involved.

Additional Official Resources for Veterans and Lenders

Here are trusted, current sources directly from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

Need Help with VA Form 26-8937 or Your VA Home Loan?

Lenders with questions about submission should use the WebLGY system or contact their VA Regional Loan Center. Veterans and service members should work directly with their lender or visit VA.gov to request or view their COE. For general VA home loan questions, the primary resource remains the official VA Home Loans website and your lender’s VA-approved loan officer.

This form exists to protect the integrity of the VA loan program while helping eligible veterans and surviving spouses access their benefits efficiently. Always use the most current official version (May 2025) and follow the instructions printed directly on the form.

For the latest updates, check the official VA forms page regularly, as policies around verification and funding fee status continue to evolve with system improvements.