The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enacted its “Human Capital Contingency Plan” as soon as the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1 so that it can continue “to provide quality, consistent care and services to veterans and their families.”
Many VA services for veteran health and benefits have already been funded so aren’t subject to the current debate. And many VA employees are exempt from the furloughs affecting federal employees, as the plan outlines.
Here’s a status update on high-demand veteran services during the shutdown:
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
- Unaffected: Medical care and critical services, including suicide prevention programs, homelessness programs, the Veteran Crisis Line, and caregiver support
- Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
- Unaffected: education benefit claims processing and payments, insurance processing, loan guaranty programs, veteran readiness and employment payment processing, VBA National Call Centers (except for education), compensation and pension claims processing and payments, decision review operations centers, and management
- Suspended:
- Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Education Call Center (the GI Bill Hotline, 888-GIBILL-1)
- Native American Veterans Direct Loan Program
- Vendee Loan Program
- Veteran Outreach via Veteran Readiness & Employment (VA Chapter 31, VR&E) and Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (VA Chapter 36)
- National Cemetery Administration (NCA):
- Unaffected: Interment of veterans and eligible family members, scheduling burials and determining eligibility, processing applications for headstones and markers, and updating electronic files to ensure timely termination of benefits and next of kin notification of possible entitlement to survivor benefits
- Suspended:
- Permanent headstone or marker installation by NCA employees
- Grounds maintenance (mowing, trimming, mulching or other landscape management)
- Processing new Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMC) or pre-need applications
- Awarding new grants under the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program
- The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)
- Unaffected: Appellate decisions on veterans’ benefits cases and hearings related to those cases
Any government shutdown adds uncertainty, anxiety, and stress to already challenging circumstances for many. While the VA is a first stop for many veterans and their families seeking the services and benefits earned through their service to the country, other organizations are dedicated to supporting veterans and their families.
They include the George W. Bush Institute’s Veteran Wellness Alliance and Check-In, which connect veterans, service members, and their families, caregivers, and survivors to strong veteran peer networks and to high-quality mental and brain health care services.
