US Government Shutdown Effects on Veteran's Services (credit, benefits, law)

[BIMBAM]

Hi, I'm a student who lives outside the US with a roommate who's a US veteran going to university courtesy of veteran's benefits. He's yet to get his check for rent and living expenses for the year, apparently none of the vets studying in this area of the country have due to some bureaucratic nonsense, and I was wondering how the shutdown of the US government tomorrow, if it occurs, would affect things on this front. Does anyone have the lowdown as to what will and what will not still be operating? This sounds like a "non-essential service" and wondered if he might be affected, which would of course impact our plans to look for a new apartment as without his check we wouldn't have the funds to fully pay for a moving truck, deposit etc involved with moving house.

[Rabrrita]

Here is the official position of the Dept of Veteran's Affairs. Anything you hear from whatever source should be compared to the attached link:
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/Field_Guide_20130927.pdf

The following link will provde a very detailed explaination of the VA's contingency plans for a shutdown covering their operations and services:
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/VA_Contin...t_20130927.pdf

Once again, this is the best source to get information.

[squirrels]

Originally Posted by Rabrrita

Here is the official position of the Dept of Veteran's Affairs. Anything you hear from whatever source should be compared to the attached link:
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/Field_Guide_20130927.pdf

The following link will provde a very detailed explaination of the VA's contingency plans for a shutdown covering their operations and services:
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/VA_Contin...t_20130927.pdf

Once again, this is the best source to get information.

Freedom of Information Act
queries will not be processed

I wonder if it's even legal for this to happen. The money might not be there to actually allow them to be processed, but it's still a federal law that has to be followed and it would still technically be a violation to not process them in a timely manner.

[Checkered24]

Originally Posted by BIMBAM

Hi, I'm a student who lives outside the US with a roommate who's a US veteran going to university courtesy of veteran's benefits. He's yet to get his check for rent and living expenses for the year, apparently none of the vets studying in this area of the country have due to some bureaucratic nonsense, and I was wondering how the shutdown of the US government tomorrow, if it occurs, would affect things on this front. Does anyone have the lowdown as to what will and what will not still be operating? This sounds like a "non-essential service" and wondered if he might be affected, which would of course impact our plans to look for a new apartment as without his check we wouldn't have the funds to fully pay for a moving truck, deposit etc involved with moving house.

If you dig through the links, the answer your looking for is that processing and payment of education benefits will continue to occur (those functions and the people who do them have been deemed essential).

Now as to why there have been no payments? There are many possible reasons which would cause a delay in payment, but I doubt it is due to beaurocratic nonesense.

[MPRetired]

Is your roommate's school VSO involved? He should receive a BAH payment at the end of each month, and the VA will pay the school directly for his tuition. I am also enrolled in the post 9-11 GI Bill and I received my September BAH stipend on time last night.

[chucksnee]

It depends on when the school certifies his enrollment....I have been certifed late and recieved my payment late....

I get an email from the VA stating that my enrollment has been certified:


An Enrollment certification for the period beginning on1/7/2013 and ending on 2/28/2013 for Credit Hours: 0, Distance Hours: 5 hasbeen submitted to the VA. This was submitted by a certifying official from theDEVRY UNIVERSITY-ONLINE * on 12/20/2012. Your claim will be processed in theorder it was received. Please do not respond to this message.

[magnummedals]

The veteran's services should be recognized. The US government shutdown will hardly effect Veteran's Services.