VA resumes in-person benefits services halted by the COVID-19 response

WASHINGTON — The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the reestablishment of in-person benefits services in select locations throughout the country.

Currently, there are 10 regional offices (RO) open to the public and more are expected to reopen in the coming weeks as reopening phases will vary by RO and local conditions.

"During the last few months, VA regional offices continued performing our essential mission virtually — to provide benefits to Veterans and eligible family members," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "We have robust safety measures in place that will allow us to resume in-person services while protecting the health and safety of Veterans, their families and our team members who serve them."

ROs will continue adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines which includes the use of social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitizer and asking sick individuals to stay at home.

Veterans can continue to interact with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) virtually for accessing benefits information online or when filing a claim online. For claim-specific questions call 1-800-827-1000. To check the availability of an RO near you, visit VA benefits offices.

VBA’s return to normal, pre-COVID-19 public-facing operations align with White House guidelines for re-opening. Read more about our response to COVID-19.

October's meeting has been cancelled.

These days – for various reasons – we spend so much of our time on the internet. Now more than ever, we rely on the internet to catch up on news, shop, and even play virtual gaming.  

Now, Veterans and their families can be a part of shaping the online experience with free, virtual training and certification in technology and digital skills, offered by NPower. 

The U.S. is the world’s largest technology market. With the fastest growing economic sector and many job opportunities in these areas, there’s never been a better time to gain the skills for a more secure future. NPower’s free, virtual training and certifications are offered in tech fundamentals, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and coding.

Navy Veteran Anthony Shaw used NPower’s training and internship program to help lift himself from homelessness, and now is an IT Project Manager. “I absolutely love what I do, and am grateful for this opportunity [with NPower].” 

What to expect  

Veterans and their spouses simply apply online for any of these training courses. They can then speak to an NPower team member, attend a virtual information session to ask any questions, participate in a virtual interview, and start classes to launch their IT career.  

After 16 weeks of intensive hands-on technical and soft-skills training, students are placed in a 7-week paid internship with top corporations and nonprofits for on-the-job experience. Veterans and spouses can also benefit from NPower’s mentoring, employment readiness workshops, and job placement assistance. 

Army Veteran Raymond R. also took a chance on being all he could be and, after training and interning through NPower, is now an Infrastructure Delivery Manager with a large company. “I can honestly say that the reason I’m here is because of the training and mentorship I received from NPower.”  

As a NPower alumni, Veterans can access a growing network in technology, as well as advanced programs, professional workshops, panel events, and can even give back to the community as a guest lecturer, mentor, or NPower ambassador. 

Click here to apply and start your career in digital technology. Virtual classes start Sept. 8, 2020. 

Commandant Dennis Tobin writes:

Marines, I have been trying to put together a video or a live feed to explain what has transpired over the last couple months regarding our convention, no luck so far with the video idea. I will keep trying. First I want to apologize for everyone for receiving word from the hotel before me. We were obligated to notify the hotel officially first, which we did yesterday morning, we did not expect them to hit the refund button right away. We expected some conversation before hand. Second, let me try to explain the process, we, the Board of Trustees tried to hold out as long as possible before decided Go/No Go. We held numerous video conferences and telecoms to review current conditions, restrictions and regulations. Yesterday we made the No Go decision and cancelled the 2020 Convention. The number 1 reason for the decision was the health and well being of all our members, especially those seasoned members 65 and over. We could not put members at risk, there are still too many unknowns, restrictions and regulations in place. We had to get our attorneys involved because there were financial issues involved. If not done properly the league could stand to lose a great deal of money. The integrity of the league is also at risk and the integrity of the Dept. of Florida and their convention people. So there has been a great deal to consider and its the National Boards responsibility to make sure all of these issues are addressed and dealt with properly. Had we failed in any area it falls directly on me as your National Commandant. So we moved slow and steady to accomplish our mission, the mission you the membership elected us to do. This is only the second time in our 100 years that a National Convention has been cancelled. The last time it happened was in 1932. Not bad. These have been some crazy and trying times for us all and this was the hardest decision this Board has had to make. So again I apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused. Enjoy the rest of you summer and please stay safe. Semper Fidelis,

Implementation of Phases

The timeline for moving through the 3-Phase process will be dependent upon the ability to minimize and control exposure and infection levels and to maintain a constant decrease over time. NCA will meet all criteria and parameters in Department guidance, along with specific criteria outlined in this document.

Phase 1

Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans

•              • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.

•              • Cemeteries conduct direct interments of casketed and cremated remains.

•              • Direct interments may be witnessed by immediate family upon request (limited to 10 or fewer witnesses).

•              • Virtual memorialization options are made available for families.

•              • Committal services and military honors remain suspended.

•              • Ceremonies and other broadly attended events remain postponed.

Activities to Protect the Workforce

•              • Allow employees in high risk populations and vulnerable individuals as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to continue telework.

•              • Continue use of telework and consideration for rotations of a recommended percentage of staffing cohorts (e.g., 25%) for NCA Central Office (NCACO) based employees.

•              • Cemetery team members will continue working at national cemetery sites, using team rotations as supported by workload and staggering shift schedules to support distancing in common areas (locker rooms, break rooms, etc.) and minimize equipment sharing.

•              • Close common areas, to include Public Information Centers, Administrative Buildings.

•              • Enforce strict physical distancing protocols at all facilities.

Phase 2

Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans

•              • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.

•              • Resume committal services and military honors with attendance limitations/at-risk population disposition in accordance with CDC-recommended guidelines.

•              • Allow ceremonies and events where projected attendance/at risk populations disposition is within CDC-recommended guidelines

•              • Schedule and conduct memorial services (in lieu of committal services) for all direct interments conducted as of 3/23/2020.

•              • Schedule and conduct interments postponed by families due to COVID restrictions.

Activities to Protect the Workforce

•              • Continue use of telework and consideration for rotations

•              • Cemetery team members will continue working at national cemetery sites, using team rotations as supported by workload and staggering shift schedules to support distancing in common areas (locker rooms, break rooms, etc.) and minimize equipment sharing.

•              • Open common areas, to include Public Information Centers, Administrative Buildings, with access restrictions ((e.g., limiting number of individuals entering at any one time) if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols. with attendance limitations/at-risk population disposition in accordance with CDC-recommended guidelines.

•              • Enforce moderate physical distancing protocols at all facilities.

Phase 3

Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans

•              • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.

•              • Conduct committal services, military honors, and public ceremonies and events normally and consistent with best practices in social distancing.

•              • Schedule and conduct memorial services (in lieu of committal services) for all direct interments conducted as of 3/23/2020.

•              • Schedule and conduct interments postponed by families due to COVID restrictions.

Activities to Protect the Workforce

•               • All employees will return to work sites in accordance with re-entry plans and resume normal schedules.

•               • Reopen common areas provided they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.

•               • Enforce limited physical distancing protocols at all facilities.

Leathernecks:

Please see the Tahoma National Cemetery message below.  Second Saturday ceremonies scheduled for March and April, and the March 29th Vietnam Veterans event, are postponed.

Burials, which include military honors, which we perform at the committal service will continue under normal scheduling. Second Saturday ceremonies will resume on May 9th, which we have the assigned duty day.

Again, while events and ceremonies are being postponed, this has no impact on the Leatherneck Honor Guard scheduled duty days for March, April and May.

Bill Smiley, Tahoma Coordinator, will make his usual and customary phone notification on Monday, March 16th with the Third Tuesday, March 17th Duty Day schedule.

My prayers are with you and your families that you remain healthy and happy.

Larry Alcantara, Commander

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ALL,

The Coronavirus continues to impact more communities around the country and the world.  Public health officials are warning the public, especially those that are sick or vulnerable based on age and/or a pre-existing health condition, to practice social distancing and avoid large group activities. To that end, we are postponing all events and ceremonies (excluding burial services) that are scheduled to occur at Tahoma between now and April 15, 2020.  For Tahoma National Cemetery, this will include our 2d Saturday Honors Service for both March and April, as well as our planned Vietnam Veterans Ceremony on March 29^th. At this time, we do not have a re-schedule date for the Vietnam Veterans Ceremony. We are hopeful that we can resume the 2d Saturday Honors Service in May on May 9^th.

We truly appreciate all of your continued service to Tahoma National Cemetery and our Veteran community. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions.

v/r,  JD

Jennifer Dehorty

Assistant Director

Tahoma National Cemetery

Fort Lawton Post Cemetery

WDVA Legislative Updates

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The 2020 Legislative Session began on January 13, 2020 and adjourned Sine Die on March 12, 2020.

Message from the Governor's website March 11, 2020: Due to the extraordinary circumstances to protect the public’s health, the Governor’s Office will not hold public bill signings for any remaining bills from the 2020 legislative session.  Members of the public can view the bill signings on TVW.  Click here for the new rules for bill signings. For updated information visit: www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/bill-action

Bill Tracking as of March 13, 2020

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