UPDATE (8/9): A veteran's widow who received his medical bills won't have to pay them. 

Guillermina Lorenzana's husband passed away in February.

She received a statement showing she owed $18,000. 

The VA tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS they are working with her to have the bills paid. 

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WESLACO – Veterans and even surviving spouses of veterans say they are being charged thousands of dollars for medical bills supposed to be paid by the federal government.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS the issue was a mix up between the outside hospitals and the agency.

A spokesperson for the VA sent us the following statement, which reads in part:

“Unfortunately, the provider’s billing office did not send the bill to the VA Payment Center in Bonham, Texas. We have faxed them the authorization and instruction on how to proceed with claims.”

If any surviving spouse or veterans need help with billing information, they can reach out to a veterans services officer or visit their nearest VA location.  

VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Systems is taking an extra step to get information to veterans and their families. 

Anyone with questions regarding the claims process is asked to attend a VA Home Health and Dental Vendor Fair in Harlingen on Thursday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held at 2102 Treasure Hills Boulevard. 

You can also call the VA's Community Care Department at 1-855-864-0516 for more details.

Watch the video above for more information.