Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 18:14:58 PM EDT
Hopefully, that is the first of many headlines we'll see like that, which I can't imagine seeing in the last Administration.
As previously reported here at VetVoice, the Department of Veterans of Affairs conducted a roundtable call with high level Department officials and members of Vet focused new media. As a direct result of the issues raised on that call, the VA is taking the most active steps I have EVER seen to correct issues within their Department and help Veterans that are in need due to not receiving their benefits:
WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
"Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties," Secretary Shinseki said. "Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans."
Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA's 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.
A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.
This is really amazing. This shows what can be done when you have a VA that legitimately cares about Veterans. Bravo VA. Bravo.
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=23D66EDEBDA4F92F659FFBF7FCFCBEC3?diaryId=3197