(a) The benefits of the Act are not available except upon application. The insured may designate any person, firm, or corporation to submit an application on his or her behalf. The designation must be in writing, signed by the insured and attached to the application.
(b) When an application for benefits is received by an insurer, a report thereof will be made within 30 days to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The insurer may submit with the report a statement setting forth any additional information deemed necessary to the adjudication of the application, and any facts and reasoning as to why the policy should or should not be protected under the Act. [13 FR 7103, Nov. 27, 1948, as amended at 26 FR 11802, Dec. 8, 1961; 27 FR 656, Jan. 23, 1962. Redesignated and amended at 61 FR 29026, June 7, 1996]