OVERVIEW OF VBA BENEFITS AND SERVICES - PowerPoint Presentation

1. OVERVIEW OF VBA BENEFITS AND SERVICESJuly 2014Controlled Unclassified Information

2. VA Mission Statement“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan” – Abraham LincolnVBA Mission Statement The mission of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration and the National Cemetery Administration, is to provide benefits and services to Veterans and their families in a responsive, timely, and compassionate manner in recognition of their service to the Nation.VBA Vision Statement Our vision is that the Veterans whom we serve will feel that our Nation has kept its commitment to them; employees will feel that they are both recognized for their contribution and are part of something larger than themselves; and taxpayers will feel that we’ve met the responsibilities they’ve entrusted to us. Courage, honesty, trust, respect, open communication, and accountability will be reflected in our day-to-day behavior. VBA’s mission and vision drive its service to Veterans, Servicemembers, Family Members and Survivors2

3. All VBA’s work is grounded in VA’s core values: ICAREBecause I CARE, I will… IntegrityAct with high moral principle. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.CommitmentWork diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.AdvocacyBe truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.RespectTreat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.ExcellenceStrive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.3

4. VBA Organizational StructureOffice of Field Operations (OFO) oversees delivery of benefits and services through 56 regional offices of varying sizes and other entities, including:4 Area OfficesAppeals Management Center & Records Management Center8 Regional Loan Centers6 Fiduciary Hubs4 Education Regional Processing Offices1 Education Call Center3 Pension Management Centers & 1 Pension Call Center10 National Call Centers 1 Insurance Center & Insurance Call CenterOperations Center, which implements our Transformation PlanOperations Analysis, which conducts STAT reviews and other analysis projectsOperations Management, which oversees daily field station operations, including performance and workload management and resource allocation Records Mgmt. CenterEastern AreaSouthern AreaWestern AreaAppeals Mgmt. Center Central Area4Operations CenterOperations Mgmt.Operations AnalysisDeputy Under Secretary for Field OperationsAssistant Deputy Under Secretary for Field OperationsDeputy Under Secretary for Field OperationsAssistant Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations

5. Regional Office (RO) RO and Education Regional Processing Office (RPO) RO and Regional Loan Center (RLC) RO, RPO & RLC RO, PMC, and RLC RO, PMC and Insurance Center Appeals Management Center RO and Fiduciary Hub RO, Fiduciary Hub, and PMCVeterans’ benefits and services are managed and distributed by VA Regional Offices throughout the United StatesSan JuanSeattlePortlandTogusBuffaloWhite River Jct. ManchesterBostonProvidenceHartfordRoanokeWinston SalemSt. PetersburgWilmingtonNew YorkPhiladelphiaNewarkBaltimoreRenoSalt Lake CityAlbuquerquePhoenixDenverBoiseFt. HarrisonCheyenneSioux FallsFargoLincolnColumbiaSt. PaulWacoMuskogeeWichitaMilwaukeeDetroitHoustonNew OrleansJacksonLittleRockSt. LouisDes MoinesSan DiegoNashvilleAtlantaMontgomeryIndianapolisChicagoLouisvillePittsburghOaklandClevelandLos AngelesHuntingtonDC51% of VBA employees are VeteransDid you Know? Eastern Area Southern Area Central Area Western AreaManilaHonoluluAnchorage5

6. Deputy Under Secretary for Disability AssistanceCompensationInsuranceVBA Organizational StructureBenefits Assistance Service: Responsible for the touch points Servicemembers, Veterans, their families and other stakeholders use to interface with VBA, including outreach, partnerships, Web communications, social media, and telephone quality and trainingBenefits Assistance ServiceCompensation: Oversees disability compensation paid to Veterans disabled by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during military servicePension and Fiduciary: Administers pensions for wartime Veterans and their survivors, dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of Veterans who die from service connected disabilities, burial benefits, and fiduciary programInsurance: Maintains life insurance programs that give financial security and peace of mind for Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families (SGLI, VGLI, TSGLI, etc.)Pension & Fiduciary 6

7. Disability CompensationWhat is it?Service-connected disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans for a disability that arose during service, was worsened or aggravated by service, or is presumed by VA to relate to military service. Who Qualifies?A typical beneficiary for disability compensation is a Veteran who became injured physically during service or has psychological issues related to service.7

8. Eligibility for Disability CompensationGeneral Eligibility RequirementsThe disability is related to an injury or event experienced while on active dutyThe Veteran or Servicemember received an other than dishonorable dischargeExamples of Injuries Incurred in or Aggravated while on active duty:Fractured wristMigraine headachesChondromalacia, left kneeTinnitusPost traumatic stress disorder8PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS VA presumes that some disabilities are a result of military service. A Servicemember or Veteran may be eligible to receive disability benefits if he or she has a qualifying disability related to certain conditions of service such as exposure to Agent Orange or radiation, or being a former prisoner of war.

9. VA’s Insurance program provides Servicemembers and families with life insurance protection without underwriting, and provides Servicemembers with traumatic injury protectionUniformed Services and Post-Vietnam Veterans:Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Low-cost term life insurance Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): Insures spouses and dependent children of Servicemembers who have SGLI coverageServicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI): Automatic feature of SGLI that provides payment to Servicemembers who suffer certain losses due to traumatic injuries that occur in serviceVeterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Allows separating Servicemembers to convert their SGLI to lifetime renewable term insurance Disabled Veterans Insurance Programs: (open to new issues) Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI): Life insurance for Veterans who received a VA rating for a new service-connected disability in the last two yearsVeterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): Provides mortgage life insurance to disabled Veterans approved for a VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grantInsurance:Insurance9

10. WWI, WWII and Korean Era Insurance Programs: These programs no longer issue new coverage, but active policies continueUnited States Government Life Insurance (USGLI) – Provides coverage to Veterans who served during World War I era; policies were issued until April 1951National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) – Provides coverage to Veterans who served during World War II; policies were issued from 1940 until April 1951Veterans’ Special Life Insurance (VSLI) – Provides coverage to Veterans who served during Korean Conflict and post-Korean period; policies were issued from 1951 through December 1956Veterans’ Reopened Insurance (VRI) - Provides coverage for disabled Veterans who had been eligible to obtain insurance between October of 1940 and January 1957; policies were issued from May 1965 to May 1966Insurance10Insurance:

11. Deputy Under Secretary for Economic OpportunityEducationHome Loan GuarantyVocational Rehabilitation &EmploymentVBA Organizational StructureEducation: Administers VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Servicemembers, Veterans, and dependentsHome Loan Guaranty: Provides oversight of the VA Home Loan Program which ensures Veterans can obtain, retain, and adapt their home by guaranteeing their loan against foreclosureVocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E): Oversees programs that provide employment and independent living services including career vocational counseling, job search assistance, and post-secondary training for service-disabled Veterans11Employment

12. VA Education benefits advance the education and skills of Veterans, Servicemembers, family members and survivors according to the following eligibility standards:Post-9/11 GI Bill – At least 90 days aggregate active duty service after 9/10/2001, and either still on active duty, honorably discharged, or discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 daysMontgomery GI Bill Active Duty – Active Duty enrollees pay $100/month for 12 months and then are entitled to receive monthly EDU benefits after completing a minimum service obligationMontgomery GI Bill Select Reserve – For Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drillingReserve Educational Assistance Program* – For Reservists activated at least 90 days after 9/11/2001Veterans Educational Assistance Program – For Veterans who entered service between 1/1/77 and 6/30/85, contributed between $25 and $2,700 and with a discharge given under conditions other than dishonorable Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program – Available to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related conditions, and of Veterans who died while on active duty or as the result of a service-related conditionVeterans Retraining Assistance Program – Up to 12 months of training at a community college or technical school in a high-demand occupation field for unemployed Veterans between ages 35 and 60 with other than a dishonorable discharge, not eligible for other EDU benefits, not receiving unemployability compensation, and not enrolled in fed/state job training programs (ends on 3/31/14)Education:Education12

13. Understanding the Post-9/11 GI Bill13

14. Understanding the Yellow Ribbon ProgramInstitutions voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and fee costs that exceed the tuition and fees cap of $19,198.31 at non-public schools, and out-of-state charges.VA matches each additional dollar that an institution contributes, up to total cost of tuition and fees.Payable to school when student’s tuition and fees exceed the cap:14Based on schoolparticipationBased onstudentqualificationVeterans only at100% benefitlevelSpouse ofVeteran (transferof entitlement)Dependentchildren (transferof entitlement)

15. VA’s Home Loan Guaranty program helps Servicemembers, Veterans and their families obtain, retain, and adapt a homeBenefits of VA home loans: Purchase a home (existing or pre-construction) as a primary residence Refinance an existing home loanTypically no downpayment or mortgage insuranceReusable benefitVA limits certain closing costs a Veteran may payLoans may be assumed by qualified borrowerVA staff dedicated to assisting Veterans who become delinquent on their loanVA’s Home Loan Guaranty Program also:Provides Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants for severely disabled VeteransIssues direct loans to Native American Veterans living on Federal Trust landHelps borrowers in default avoid foreclosure Home Loan Guaranty15Home Loan Guaranty:

16. Home Loan GuarantyVA-Guaranteed Home Loans are made by private lenders such as:BanksCredit UnionsMortgage CompaniesThese loans are made to eligible Veterans for the purchase of a home for their personal occupancy.VA guarantees a portion of the loan to protect the lender against loss if the payments are not made.The guaranty backing serves to eliminate the need for a downpayment.

17. What the Benefit Can Be Used ForTo buy a home, condominium, or townhouse.To build a home.To improve a home by installing energy efficient features as approved by lender and VA.To refinance an existing home loan.A VA-Guaranteed Home Loan can be used for any of the following:

18. Program EligibilityEligibility for using the VA-Guaranteed Home Loan program is based on the individual’s service.Generally, the following people are eligible: Veterans who meet length of service requirements.Servicemembers on active duty who have served a minimum period.Certain Reservists and National Guard members.Certain surviving spouses of deceased Veterans.You can learn more about eligibility at: www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/purchaseco_eligibility.asp.

19. Competitive TermsThe VA-Guaranteed Home Loan program gives Veterans access to advantageous loan terms: Competitive interest ratesCompetitive monthly paymentsCompetitive closing costsTo qualify for a VA-Guaranteed Home Loan, individuals must:Have satisfactory credit Have sufficient income to support loan paymentsLive in the property

20. No Downpayment OptionTo many the VA-Guaranteed Home Loan program’s main advantage is its NO DOWNPAYMENT OPTION.VA is the largest lending program offering guaranty on zero-down payment loans.89% Percentage of VA home loans made in fiscal year 2013 made with zero downpayment.

21. Vocational Rehabilitation & EmploymentWhat is the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E) Program?The VR&E program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. Eligibility Requirements:Honorably discharged;Have a service-connected disability rated 10 percent with a serious employment handicap or 20 percent or more with an employment handicap; and File an application for VR&E services. What happens after eligibility is established? Eligible Veterans meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for evaluation to determine entitled to services. 21

22. VA’s VR&E (Chapter 31) program helps Servicemembers and Veterans with service connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs through counseling and case management provided by nearly 1,000 rehabilitation counselors across the countryFor Veterans with a discharge given under conditions other than dishonorable with at least a 20% disability rating and an employment handicap, or a 10% rating with a serious employment handicap. VR&E provides:Interest and aptitude testing, and career counselingJob training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and work-readiness assistance Special employer incentives, on-the-job-training, and non-paid work experiences Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school Independent living servicesServicemembers with disabilities participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) are able to participate without a VA service-connected disability ratingVocational Rehabilitation & Employment:In-Depth Benefit Review: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment22

23. VR&E also operates VA’s VetSuccess on Campus program at 94 college campuses across the country; VSOC counselors provide outreach, benefits assistance, professional counseling, and referrals for health care and other VA servicesVA’s Chapter 36 - Education and Career Counseling program provides personalized counseling and support to Servicemembers and VeteransTransitioning Servicemembers within six months prior to discharge from active duty, Veterans within one year following discharge, and any Veteran currently eligible for a VA education benefit are eligible for Chapter 36 benefitsChapter 36 services to beneficiaries include: Career Choice – Increasing understanding about the best career options based on interests and capabilitiesBenefits Coaching – Providing guidance on the effective use of VA benefits and/or other resources to achieve education and career goalsPersonalized Support – Giving academic or adjustment counseling and personalized support to help remove any barriers to successVocational Rehabilitation & Employment:In-Depth Benefit Review: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment23

24. Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment:In-Depth Benefit Review: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment24Program Highlights: VR&E also offers a number of employer incentive programs, such as: On-the-job training: Employers pay Veterans at an apprentice’s wage and VA supplements that salary until the Veteran reaches the journeyman level Special Employer Incentives: VA reimburses employers for up to 50% of a Veteran’s salary for up to 6 monthsNonpaid Work Experience: VA provides Veterans with work-related experience in local, state or federal government

25. Website Overview: HistoryeBenefits (www.ebenefits.va.gov) is a joint VA/DoD Web portal that provides self-service capabilities to Veterans, Service members, their families and caregivers.Development of eBenefits was initiated in March of 2007 at the recommendation of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors (Dole/Shalala).With quarterly releases, eBenefits continues to evolve as a “one-stop shop” for Veterans, Service members and their families.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense25

26. Reasons to File Electronically and have an eBenefits AccountClaims submitted online may be processed faster, helping VA meet the 125 day at 98% accuracy goal by 2015.Veterans filing for disability benefits can initiate their claim online and preserve their date of claim. Veterans have up to 365 days to fully complete their claim, upload any supporting documentation and submit directly to VA.Request and receive Official Military Personnel File including DD Form-214 within hours.Search for state and county benefit programs for Veterans.The Career Center enables Veterans to apply for federal and civilian jobs, build a resume and translate military skills to civilian jobs.Request representation and assistance from a Veterans Service Organization .26U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense

27. Website Overview : Website StatisticseBenefits Statistics are captured as of August 2014 are as following:Registered eBenefits users: Over 4 millionClaims status views: Over 39.2 Million since release date of April 2010Home Loan COE: 573 K since release date of April 2010OMPF (DD 214): 612 K since release date of December 2009Letter Generator: 5.1 Million since release date of January 2011Website visits: In August alone 3.96 Million visitsU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense27

28. eBenefits Home Page28

29. VA Letters available 24/729

30. 30VBA’s eClaims and FDC Programs OverviewApplicants simply submit all required and relevant documentation at the same time to get a faster VA claim decision.Filing an electronic claim, or eClaim, on eBenefits reduces claim paperwork and helps reduce the backlog.Filing an electronic FDC through eBenefits allows Veterans to receive even faster decisions on their disability compensation claims.

31. Fully Developed Claims (FDC) Program31The Fully Developed Claims (FDC) Program was created as part of VA’s larger transformation initiative to help Veterans and their families receive the fastest decisions on their compensation, pension and surviving dependent benefit claims.Through the FDC Program, applicants simply submit all relevant and required records in their possession at the time they make their claim and certify that they have no more evidence to submit. This allows VA to review and provide decisions on claims more quickly.

32. Who can file an FDC?32Veterans may file an FDC for disability compensation for:An injury, disability or condition believed to have occurred or been aggravated by military serviceA condition caused or aggravated by an existing service-related conditionVeterans and surviving dependents may also file paper FDCs for Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).Veterans filing an FDC for disability compensation can file their claim online through eBenefits.

33. Why file an electronic FDC?33Gets Veterans even faster VA decisions on their disability compensation claimsPuts the Veteran in control of their claim by providing all evidence at once and certifying they have no more evidence to submitAllows Veterans to take advantage of a shortened and simplified web-based application formVeterans have one year after they initiate their claim on eBenefits to gather, upload, and submit all documents, and may be paid back to the date their claim was started

34. eBenefits & eClaims34eBenefits is a joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) web portal that provides Veterans, Servicemembers, survivors and their family members access to over 55 self-service features and VA and DoD benefits information.Veterans must have a Premium, Level 2 eBenefits account in order to file a claim electronically through eBenefits.To view a step-by-step video on How to Get a DS Logon for eBenefits, visit:youtu.be/QojXqc_TwUk

35. Overview of Applying Online35A step-by-step video on how to file an FDC for disability compensation through eBenefits can be found at: youtu.be/RSzX029_ohA. There are 9 Basic Steps to file an FDC through eBenefits:Log into eBenefitsEnter Personal InformationChoose a VSOTell VA about Service InformationChoose your type of claimEnter Treatment and Direct Deposit InformationReview Special CircumstancesUpload DocumentsPerform Final Review and Submit the Application

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37. DBQ Instructions37

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40. Questions? 40