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.



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.



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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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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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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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



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 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 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 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.


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

http://benefits.va.gov/benefits

http://www.va.gov/homeless

http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/

http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/education.htm

ending veteran and veteran family homelessness: …veterans benefits administration february 22,...

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