FEDERAL
AGENCY:
VETERANS
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
AUTHORIZATION:
38
U.S.C. 1804.
To
provide vocational training and rehabilitation to certain children
born with spina bifida or other covered birth defects who are children
of Vietnam veterans.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use.
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USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Program
must lead to a vocational goal that it is feasible for the child
to achieve. The child should be able to achieve the vocational goal
within 24 months of services and assistance, although an extension
of up to 24 months is possible under certain conditions.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: A child born with spina bifida
or other covered birth defects, except spina bifida occulta, who
is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran, regardless of the age
or marital status of the child, conceived after the date on which
the veteran first served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam
era. VA must also determine that it is feasible for the child to
achieve a vocational goal.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Children born with spina bifida.
Credentials/Documentation:
Birth certificate and military discharge certificate are required.
The child must be born with spina bifida and be the natural child
of a Vietnam veteran.
APPLICATION
AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: An application may be submitted
to the Regional Office. There is no prescribed form, but the applicant
must provide the child's full name, VA claim number, address,
the veteran parent's name, and VA claim number. The letter must
clearly identify the benefit sought.
Award
Procedure: Awards are authorized at the Regional
Office.
Deadlines:
None. Entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the
application, but not before October 1, 1997.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not available
at this time.
Appeals:
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants
are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Average time to process an appeal is 630 days.
Renewals:
None.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Not applicable.
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0102-0-1-701.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $149,000; FY 02 est $193,000; and FY 03
est $198,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Payments to providers for training and rehabilitation services
and assistance.
PROGRAM
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Cases: In fiscal year 2001, there were 49 cases. It is estimated
that in fiscal years 2002 and 2003, there will be 54 and 56 cases
respectively.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 3.814. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA
Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents,
P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is:
051-000-00220-2.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters
Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7419.
Web
Site Address: http://www.va.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Not applicable.
