FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 512, 314, 315, 316, 701, 7721, 7722, 7723, 7724.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide all necessary information and assistance to potential claimants and other interested parties about veterans benefits and to provide locations within each State where this assistance can be obtained.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Department of Veterans Affairs personnel provide information and assistance on all benefits legislated by the Congress for veterans of the active military, naval or air service of this country (to include the Public Health Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and certain World War II Merchant Marines). These include compensation, pension, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and education, insurance, hospitalization, domiciliary care, outpatient medical and dental treatment, automobiles and specially adapted houses for disabled veterans, burial and survivor's benefits. They help the veteran and dependents file claims, secure supporting evidence and, on request, represent the claimant to the VA adjudicative or medical authorities. Special outreach emphasis is placed on specific target populations. These include the aged, the ill, former prisoners of war, women veterans, recently separated veterans, survivors of service members killed on active duty, and the homeless. Service includes providing information and personal service on matters which affect veterans, but are under the jurisdiction of other Federal, State, county or local agencies.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Generally, veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries, their representatives or other interested parties.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Eligibility for the benefits is controlled by specific legislation, but the assistance is available to all.

Credentials/Documentation:   None for assistance, although various proofs are needed for the benefits.

Pre-application Coordination:   All recently discharged or separated veterans are furnished a package of informational materials on the full range of veterans benefits. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Phone, write or visit the nearest VA regional office, Center or VA Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   Veterans and dependents are provided with necessary applications for benefits and are assisted in the preparation of the applications, which are then forwarded to the appropriate units within VA for development.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   Personnel provide assistance with development of appeals for basic benefits.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Not applicable.

Audits:   Not applicable.

Records:   Not applicable.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   Not identified separately.

Obligations:   (Salaries and Expenses) Not Separately Identifiable. (NOTE: The responsibility for assistance and funds has been spread to the five direct programs to facilitate GPRA implementation.)

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

During fiscal year 2001, more than 11 million contacts were completed.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

"Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00220-2. "A Summary of VA Benefits," VA Pamphlet 21-00-1; "Un Resumen De Beneficios Del VA," VA Pamphlet 27-82-2(S); "Veterans Benefits for Older Americans," VA Pamphlet 27-80-2; "Veteran-Student Work-Study Programs," VA Pamphlet 27-80-3.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Application and contact should be made with the Veterans Benefits Administration field offices as shown in Appendix IV of the Catalog under Veterans Benefits Administration.

Headquarters Office:   Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-9700.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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