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I Passed!! Now What…
 
First, check your info on the VA website. My info showed my home address and private cell phone number. I emailed my point of contact directly and got it changed. If you haven’t already gotten a PO Box, you need one. As a representative you will receive copies of all the mail your client receives and it will include their socials. You do NOT want that coming to your private home mailbox! 
 
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While you are waiting on your PIV card, you can submit client forms (21-22A) and evidence/claims on behalf of your clients through the QuickSubmit Portal. 
 
However, if you are also a veteran, you have to change your portal to a “VA Business Partner” account. 
 
Contact VCIP.VBACO@va.gov and explain you are an accredited agent and now need to change your Quick Submit account. 
 
I am a newly accredited VA claims agent and need to have my quick submit account updated to a VA business partner.
 
When I log in currently it just allows me to see my own profile as a veteran.
 
Please advise on anything more you need from me.
 
Thank you,
 
Name
Agent Number
POA Code
 
They will reply with additional information they need and then update your account profile. It’s a pretty smooth/quick process! 
 
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You need a PIV card to get VBMS access so that you can do your job. This can take 4-6 weeks and requires you to be VERY proactive to get VA people to move your application along. Here’s the steps I experienced: 
 
First, email your CMA: 
 
I have just been accredited as a claims agent and would like to get a PIV card and set up access to VBMS. 
 
Would you be the person to help me with this, or could you direct me to the appropriate contact? 
 
Thank you, 
 
Name
Agent Number
POA Code
 
You will receive an email from the HR person with a form to fill out including info on your family members SSN so that they can “sensitize their information” (no idea what that is)
 
You also must complete/schedule fingerprint capture requirements and initiate background investigation requirements. This will involve filling out another form and scheduling a fingerprint appointment. 
 
There’s also a link to an FBI background investigation. This will take AWHILE to do and there is no save and return option. Make sure you have a few hours free!
 
At some point they will ask for your TRIP certificate, make sure to have that available to send them. 
 
There is ALSO training that needs to be completed in TMS (Privacy and HIPPA) and that requires the training manager at your RO needs to email you with an account sign in. It is in addition to TRIP and my CMA didn’t know that the training manager hadn’t created an account for me, so my PIV card registration lagged because they were waiting on me to complete training that I had no idea I needed. Stay on top of this!!
 
If at any point your process you feel the process has stalled or people are not responsive, consider sending an email stating that you represent clients and this is impeding your ability to do your job. It’s especially helpful if any of your clients are 85+ or in another special category that you can highlight. This will be evidence of record and they will HAVE to be responsive to it. 
 
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After you get your PIV card you will need to go to the IT dept at the VAMC to login to the VA system and request “CAG access, CAG print, and CAG copy/paste” on the IT self portal to get your remote access to VBMS. The IT people at the VAMC should be able to assist you with this. Ensure remote access is on your account. You also have to request from IT to have caseflow.   
 
PIV card readers are available on Amazon, this is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VVSY96H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
 
1VA Main Desktop (bottom right) is where you can access VBMS, your VA.gov email, Microsoft Teams, and folder express. 
 
 
 
eBenefits Customer Support provides assistance for AccessVA and Sign-In Partner technical issues and errors by phone at (800) 983-0937 on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
 
 
If you have issues with your PIV card reader, you can request a temporary exemption here: https://digital.va.gov/employee-resource-center/remote-access/
 
You can download client files in folder express on your VA desktop. You can then upload them to a Microsoft Business Account and that’s the ONLY way to get them off of VA portal and onto your personal computer. Get a Onedrive for business account, sign into it while in the VA portal and just drop the files in there.
 
★ When you go to efolder express to download client files, make sure you refresh after it gives you their file. I get almost double the results when I do that. The first result will be like 62 docs and then refresh and there’s 124!
 
 
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Random: in the folder “specialty shortcuts” on the VA desktop there is a linked in learning shortcut that allows you to get linkedin learning for FREE!
 
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There’s plenty of things to spend money on when you start a business (or a new side to your business.) The best investment I’ve made as far as technology/systems has been the MicrosoftOne Business account which allows you to download your clients Cfile in VBMS and then access it on your desktop. It HAS to be a business account to have that functionality. 
 
Some advertising ideas: 
Gun shops/gun ranges
Gyms/cross fit
Airport veteran lounges/USO
Retirement groups (our local council on aging is arranging for me to do a presentation)
Real estate people
Mortgage Lenders
Financial Planners
 
Suggestions: 
I have an LLC. Research/talk to your accountant about what makes sense for you based on what state you are practicing in. 
 
Most of my clients come from YouTube (my channel is @thevocalveteran) and recommendations from family/friends/existing clients.
Create a digital business card (I used canva) and start posting on your socials about the accreditation and how you can help veterans, then ask for people to message you if they want info about working together.
 
Also, make sure to emphasize that you can work with ANY veteran in ANY state. Sometimes people think since I’m a Navy vet I must only work with sailors or that since I’m in Louisiana I can only work with people here.