Ending Veteran and Veteran Family Homelessness: …VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION February 22,...
Transcript of Ending Veteran and Veteran Family Homelessness: …VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION February 22,...
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION February 22, 2013
Ending Veteran and Veteran Family Homelessness: The Veterans Benefits Administration Moving Forward
Robert T. Reynolds, Director, Benefits Assistance Service
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 1
ACCESSING VA BENEFITS & SERVICES
HOMELESS VETERANS OUTREACH COORDINATORS (HVOC)
• Homeless Veterans Outreach efforts continue to increase. – FY 2011: 9,006 hours to over 38,251 homeless Veterans
– FY 2012: 12,061 hours to over 51,481 homeless Veterans
– FY 2013 – Q1: 3,119 hours to over 16,033 homeless Veterans
• An HVOC is represented at each VA Regional Office to conduct outreach to homeless Veterans and manage the processing of homeless Veterans’ claims.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 2
ACCESSING VA BENEFITS & SERVICES
WEBINARS
• Successfully completed two VBA Overview Webinars to various non profit organizations including homeless providers.
• Webinars included information on Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service and the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program.
• Developing additional VBA benefit-specific webinar sessions such as fully developed claims.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 3
ACCESSING VA BENEFITS & SERVICES
eBENEFITS
• Joint VA and DoD online portal for Servicemembers, Veterans, and family members to manage their VA benefits.
• Some main features include: – Apply for VA benefits
– Check benefit claim status
– Request military service records (DD-214)
– Career Center
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VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 4
ACCESSING VA BENEFITS & SERVICES
eBENEFITS CON’T
• Training Veterans Health Administration homeless coordinators on eBenefits.
• Easier access to homeless resources for eBenefits users through use of homepage carousel linking directly to VA homeless page.
• Developing capabilities for homeless and at-risk Veterans to look-up homeless resources specific to their community.
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VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 5
ACCESSING VA BENEFITS & SERVICES
PARTNERSHIPS
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Job Fairs
• Veterans Service Organizations Claims and Hiring Fairs
• National Veteran Small Business Conference, Open House and Hiring Fair
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VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 6
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT (VR&E)
• Assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment.
• VR&E services are for Veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries who: – May not be able to work right now and need rehabilitation services
– Need specialized training and/or education
– Need flexible work arrangements
– Need help finding employment soon after separation
– Need rehabilitation to live more independently
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 7
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT CON’T
• Assists Servicemembers with making a seamless transition from military to civilian life.
• Servicemembers with severe injuries or illnesses may qualify for VA Vocational Rehabilitation benefits.
• If referred to a Physical Evaluation Board or going through the joint VA/DoD Disability Evaluation System, they may qualify for services to begin planning their transition to civilian life.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 8
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VRAP)
• Offers up to 12 months of retraining assistance to unemployed Veterans between 35 and 60 years old.
• Additional eligibility criteria includes: – have an other than dishonorable discharge;
– not eligible for any other VA education benefit program;
– not in receipt of VA compensation due to individual unemployability
– not enrolled in a federal or state job training program
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 9
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CON’T
• Education programs must be: – Offered by a community college or technical school
– Lead to an Associates Degree or Certificate
– Train the Veteran for a high demand occupation (determined by DOL)
• DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 10
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CON’T
• Participants must attend full-time in order to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program ($1,564 effective October 1, 2012).
• Veterans can apply through the eBenefits portal.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 11
HELPFUL RESOURCES
VA Benefits
1-800-827-1000
http://benefits.va.gov/benefits
VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
www.va.gov/homeless
eBenefits
www.ebenefits.va.gov
VRAP
www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/education.htm