FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

38 U.S.C. 1804.

OBJECTIVES:

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. Place Cursor Here for Definition

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.

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.

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 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9700

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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