Statement from Secretary Eric K. Shinseki
On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Veterans Affairs, I extend deepest
condolences to the victims of Thursday's shooting at Ft. Hood, and to their families,
friends and neighbors. They are in our thoughts and in our prayers. My concerns also go
out to VA's employees stationed at Ft. Hood, who have been rocked by their proximity to this senseless tragedy.
VA stands ready to assist the Army in whatever way possible.
Secretary Shinseki Details Plan to End Homelessness for Veterans
This week, at the "VA National Summit Ending Homelessness Among Veterans"
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled the department's
comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans by marshalling the
resources of government, business and the private sector.
Shinseki's plan includes preventive measures like discharge planning for
incarcerated Veterans re-entering society, supportive services for
low–income Veterans and their families and a national referral
center to link Veterans to local service providers. Additionally, the
plan calls for expanded efforts for education, jobs, health care and housing.
More Information
Secretary Shinseki's Remarks at the Summit
VA Website Redesign
Starting next week, you'll see a new look on the VA website. This is the first
and most visible phase of a big web renovation project that will better serve
our nation's Veterans. The conversion will begin on November 8th, and is
scheduled to be completed in time for Veterans Day, November 11th. Please
understand that as we implement this new design across more than 500 VA web sites
there could possibly be minor errors on some of the 80,000 pages.
See more information on the coming changes. We can't wait to show you!
Craigslist Founder Joins VA Innovation Search Panel
Craig Newmark, the founder of "craigslist" and a well-known technology visionary,
has agreed to serve on the blue-ribbon panel of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) that will review and evaluate ideas to improve disability claims
processing times and provide greater transparency to Veterans.
More Information
Honor our Veterans. Record their stories!
VA and the Library of Congress Veterans History Project have a special message for
all Americans this Veterans Day - Honor our Veterans. Record their stories! By
recording the oral history of our Veterans, we preserve the human face of American
history for generations to come and honor those men and women who swore to protect
and defend the United States. Each day as Veterans Day approaches, the VA home page
will introduce you to veterans' oral histories from the digital archive of the
Library of Congress - one from each state and territory. Interested in a Veteran
from your state? Just click on the map. Each day we will reveal five more
states until Veterans Day.
To find out more about the Veterans History Project--and to listen to the stories and
learn how you can submit your own veteran's oral history to the Library of
Congress, please visit VA's website dedicated to the project.
Do something special to honor Veterans on Veterans Day-record a Veteran's story!
Information on Emergency Payments for Veterans Awaiting VA Educational Benefits
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has authorized advance payments up to $3,000 for Veterans who applied for VA educational benefits and who have not yet received their monthly education payments. Go to AdvancePay GI Bill site.
If you are a Veteran who has applied for one of VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request advance payment through this website, www.advancepay.gibill.va.gov.
The advance payments will be reconciled with future education payments owed to you.
Advanced Payment Questions and Answers.
If you are a Veteran-student who received an emergency check and your bank has not yet made your funds available, or you are a bank representative with questions about this process, please see more information.
