Program Descriptions
Program Number
64.115
Title
Veterans Information And Assistance
Federal Agency
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 512, 314, 315, 316, 701, 7721, 7722, 7723, 7724.
Status
Active
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.
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.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication 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
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.
Program Accomplishments
More than 21 million contacts are completed annually.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
"Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is: 051-000-00233-4. "A Summary of VA Benefits," VA Pamphlet 21-00-1; VA Benefits for Survivors, VA Pamphlet 21-03-1; and on-line at http://www.va.gov
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
http://www.va.gov
Related Programs
17.803, Uniformed Services Employment And Reemployment Rights
27.002, Federal Employment Assistance For Veterans
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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