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.
"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.
Disaster Resources Available to Veterans |
“Veterans and their families should be focused on their health and safety during the natural disasters,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA is taking action to give those with pending debts greater flexibility during these challenging times.” Health Care AssistanceIf you have questions such as where to go for care or how to receive prescribed medications, VA has established a toll-free number for assistance in areas that have been impacted by disasters. Veterans or their families can call the VA Veterans Disaster Response line 24 hours, seven days a week at 1-800-507-4571. Debt ReliefIf you are affected by a natural disaster, have a VBA benefit debt and need temporary financial relief, please contact VA's Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 to request assistance. If you have questions on Compensation or Pension benefits: Call toll-free 1-800-827-1000 Other Resources
Free Help for Homeless VeteransDial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access to VA services for homeless, displaced and at-risk Veterans Homeless Veteran Chat Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends Visit https://www.va.gov/homeless/ California Specific Resources:
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned. Print out your VA Welcome Kit
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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,
Dennis Tobin National Commandant
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 29th. 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 9th.
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
Welcome to the Legislative Updates Email List!
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-
Bill |
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Date |
Sponsor (Combined) |
Bill Action |
EHB 2188 |
Military veteran CDL waivers |
Del to Gov |
3/11/2020 |
Leavitt |
||
ESHB 2411 |
Suicide prevention/providers |
Del to Gov |
3/9/2020 |
HCW(Orwall) |
||
SHB 2543 |
In-state residency/veterans |
Del to Gov |
3/11/2020 |
CWD(Paul) |
||
SHB 2544 |
Definition of veteran |
Del to Gov |
3/11/2020 |
APP(Paul) |
||
HJM 4016 |
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
S 2nd Reading |
3/11/2020 |
Riccelli |
||
SB 5197 |
HB 1201(S Rules 2) |
National guard ed. grants |
Del to Gov |
3/11/2020 |
Hobbs |
|
SSB 5900 |
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
Del to Gov |
3/11/2020 |
WM(Randall) |
||
ESB 6626 |
Military spouse liaison |
H Spkr Signed |
3/10/2020 |
Conway |
This list is maintained for bill tracking purposes and is not an indication that WDVA supports or opposes any of these measures. If you have any questions, please contact heidia@dva.wa.gov .
The 2020 Legislative Session begins on January 13, 2020 and will run for 60 consecutive days. March 6 is the cut-off date for bills to pass from the opposite house. The last day of Regular Session is March 12.
You can find more information on each of these bills by visiting www.leg.wa.gov .
Check the WDVA Legislative Updates page for updated information throughout the week.
Bill |
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Sponsor (Combined) |
Latest Cmte Mtg Info |
HB 1201 |
SB 5197(H 2nd Reading) |
National guard ed. grants |
S Rules 2 |
Kilduff |
|
HB 1829 |
Veterans' assistance levies |
S Ways & Means |
Chapman |
||
HB 2013 |
Allied veteran emblems |
S 2nd Reading |
Van Werven |
||
SHB 2187 |
SB 6433(S Transportation) |
Women veterans license plate |
S Rules 2 |
TR(Kilduff) |
|
EHB 2188 |
Military veteran CDL waivers |
S 2nd Reading |
Leavitt |
||
ESHB 2411 |
Suicide prevention/providers |
H Spkr Signed |
HCW(Orwall) |
||
HB 2542 |
Child of veteran/tuition |
S 2nd Reading |
Paul |
||
SHB 2543 |
In-state residency/veterans |
S 2nd Reading |
CWD(Paul) |
||
SHB 2544 |
Definition of veteran |
S 2nd Reading |
APP(Paul) |
||
SHB 2730 |
Military spouse employment |
S Rules 2 |
CRJ(Kilduff) |
||
HJM 4016 |
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
S 2nd Reading |
Riccelli |
||
ESSB 5167 |
Linked deposit program |
H Rules R |
FIET(Hasegawa) |
||
SB 5197 |
HB 1201(S Rules 2) |
National guard ed. grants |
H 2nd Reading |
Hobbs |
|
SSB 5900 |
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
H Passed 3rd |
WM(Randall) |
||
SSB 6183 |
Elections/common access card |
H Rules R |
SGTE(Hunt) |
||
ESB 6626 |
Military spouse liaison |
H Passed 3rd |
Conway |
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website
For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.
https://www.cdc.gov/
Welcome to the Legislative Updates Email List! The first day of the Regular 2020 Legislative Session was January 13, 2019 and the session will last 60 days.
You can find more information on each of these bills by visiting www.leg.wa.gov .
Check the WDVA Legislative Updates page for updated information throughout the week.
Opposite House Policy Committee cut-off is February 28. Opposite House Fiscal Committee cut-off is March 2. Bills that do not pass by these dates will be removed from this tracking list.
Companion Bills |
Title |
Status |
Sponsor (Combined) |
Latest Cmte Mtg Info |
|
SB 5197(H Approps) |
National guard ed. grants |
S Ways & Means |
Kilduff |
Feb 28 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
|
Veterans' assistance levies |
S Ways & Means |
Chapman |
Feb 28 Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
Allied veteran emblems |
S Transportation |
Van Werven |
Feb 26 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
||
SB 6433(S Transportation) |
Women veterans license plate |
S Transportation |
TR(Kilduff) |
Feb 25 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
|
Military veteran CDL waivers |
S Transportation |
Leavitt |
Feb 24 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
||
Military spouse liaison |
S State Govt/Tri |
HOUS(Klippert) |
|||
Prof. licensing/military |
H Rules C |
APP(Leavitt) |
|||
Suicide prevention/providers |
S Rules 2 |
HCW(Orwall) |
|||
Child of veteran/tuition |
S Ways & Means |
Paul |
Feb 28 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
In-state residency/veterans |
S Higher Ed & Wo |
CWD(Paul) |
Feb 20 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM. (2020) |
||
Definition of veteran |
S Ways & Means |
APP(Paul) |
Feb 26 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
Military spouse employment |
S State Govt/Tri |
CRJ(Kilduff) |
Feb 28 Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 1:30 PM (Subject to change). (2020) |
||
SR 902/Gold Star Memorial |
S Transportation |
Riccelli |
Feb 24 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. (2020) |
||
Linked deposit program |
H ITEDDP |
FIET(Hasegawa) |
|||
HB 1201(S Ways & Means) |
National guard ed. grants |
H Approps |
Hobbs |
||
LGBTQ coordinator/veterans |
H Approps |
WM(Randall) |
|||
Elections/common access card |
H SGOVDPA |
SGTE(Hunt) |
|||
Military spouse liaison |
H Hous, Com Dev |
Conway |
Feb 28 Scheduled for public hearing and executive session in the House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans at 8:00 AM (Subject to change). (2020) |
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Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights
The Department of Defense is fully committed to ensuring our Nation's most valued resource its military service members and their families-have access to safe, quality, and well maintained homes and communities on DoD installations.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 set out eighteen rights of military service members and their families (Tenants) residing in privatized housing. The Department of Defense commits to ensuring that privatized housing Tenants receive quality housing and fair treatment from the Military Housing Privatization Initiative project owners (MHPI companies) that operate and maintain privatized housing.
It is paramount that residents receive the full benefit of each right. The Department of Defense, through each of its Military Departments, will work diligently and expeditiously to develop the processes and procedures needed to implement these rights and make Tenants aware of them.
However, many of the rights set forth by Congress pertain to legal matters that do not lend themselves to unilateral action by the Department. To the extent it is not already the case, the Military Departments commit to working with the MHPI companies to incorporate these rights and procedures into appropriate project legal documents. In some cases, more work is required before the benefits of these rights are fully available to tenants.