FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Veterans Housing Benefits Act of 1978, Section 202, Public Laws 95-476, 98-223, 100-687, 103-446, and 105-368; 38 U.S.C. 2408.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist States in the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans' cemeteries.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Monetary assistance is provided under this program to construct, expand, and improve State veterans' cemeteries. Cemeteries must be State-owned and operated solely for the interment of eligible veterans and their dependents and/or spouses. Construction cost means the amount found necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Any State may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   While the cemetery must be used solely for the interment of veterans, their wives, husbands, surviving spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children who were physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self support: States may impose eligibility requirements for burial more stringent than those cited in section 1.620 of 38 CFR. For example, a State can require that veterans have honorable discharges, wartime service, or residency in the State.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with revised OMB Circular No. A-87 for State Governments, dated May 4, 1995, and further amended August 29, 1997.

Pre-application Coordination:   Consultation or assistance is available from VA Central Office personnel (State Cemetery Grants Service) to aid in the preparation of an application. The standard application forms as furnished by VA and required by OMB Circular No. A- 102 must be used for this program (Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance," with attachments). An environmental impact assessment is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   Submit Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance for Construction Programs," with attachments, to the Director, State Cemetery Grants Service (401C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Formal notification of the award to the State is made by the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration.

Deadlines:   A deadline of July 1 is established for the filing of applications in the year prior to the fiscal year in which funding is requested.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 30 to 60 days.

Appeals:   No application shall be disapproved until the applicant has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   The amount of the Federal contribution to a State is up to 100 percent of the cost of establishing, improving or expanding State Veterans Cemeteries. In the case of establishment grants, the cost of operating equipment may also be included. Land value is not included as an allowable cost for reimbursement under the grant.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Funds are provided by electronic transfer of funds and must be used within 3 years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs, and Performance Reports are accomplished in accord with 38 CFR Part 43.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a period of 3 years. If any claim or audit is started before the expiration of the 3 year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0183-0-1-705.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $23,755,855; FY 02 est $41,701,559; and FY 03 est $32,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Range of Financial Assistance from 1980 $2,897 to 14,000,000.

For fiscal year 2002, the State Cemetery Grants Service has received requests totaling $41,701,559. The State Cemetery Grants Service estimates approximately 15 to 20 applications to establish, expand, or improve State veterans cemeteries in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

VA Regulations 38 CFR Parts 39 and 43, State Cemetery Grant Program; State Cemetery Grants Program Guide (PG 40-1); and, "Federal Assistance for Establishment, Expansion and Improvement of State Veterans' Cemeteries (State Cemetery Grants Program)" (VA Pamphlet 40-96).

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   George D. Eisenbach, Jr. 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-632-7369

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

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

1) Construction necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery; 2) construction of a chapel administration/maintenance building, and improve storm drainage system; and 3) the expansion of cemetery acreage or building a committal shelter.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Applications are prioritized and ranked with other projects in the order received. The priority system consists of six groups or categories. Examples: The extent to which States have adequate funds to match the Federal grant; and the extent to which a project involves additional gravesites necessary to keep the cemetery open. The availability of the Federal and nonfederal share of the project is a primary consideration.

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