[House Report 119-257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-257
======================================================================
DELIVERING DIGITALLY TO OUR VETERANS ACT OF 2025
_______
September 9, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bost, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3481]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 3481) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for
electronic communication relating to educational assistance
benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably
thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as
amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 4
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 5
Committee Consideration.......................................... 5
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Committee Correspondence.........................................
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 5
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 5
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 6
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 7
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 7
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 7
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 8
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 8
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................ 8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 9
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT TO CERTAIN OUTREACH UNDER SOLID START PROGRAM OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 6320(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) by striking ``calling'' and inserting
``communicating with''; and
(B) by inserting ``through the use of tailored lines
of communication, including mailings, text messaging,
virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of
messaging'' after ``Armed Forces''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tailored mailings'' and
inserting ``tailored lines of communication, including
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging,''.
SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS USE OF TAILORED LINES OF
COMMUNICATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.
Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(i)(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an eligible
veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of communication to
send and receive correspondence with the Department of Veterans related
to entitlement to and use of educational assistance benefits under the
laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that an
eligible veteran or eligible person is provided with an opportunity to
opt into sending and receiving such correspondence using such lines of
communication rather than by mail.
``(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and eligible
persons who are enrolled in a course or program of education or
training notice of the opportunity to opt in to sending and receiving
correspondence using tailored lines of communication pursuant to
paragraph (1).
``(3) In this subsection, the term `tailored lines of communication'
includes mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging.''.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 31, 2033''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 3481, the ``Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act
of 2025'' was introduced by Representative Tom Barrett of
Michigan on May 19, 2025. The bill, as amended, would allow
veterans to opt-in to receive digital messaging on all
education benefit communications.
H.R. 3386, the ``Streamlining the Solid Start
Communications Act'' introduced by Representative Derrick Van
Orden of Wisconsin on May 14, 2025. This bill would allow the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Solid Start program to
communicate via digital messaging if the veteran is unreachable
via phone calls.
Background and Need for Legislation
Section 1: Short Title
This Act may be cited as the ``Delivering Digitally to Our
Veterans Act of 2025''.
Section 2: Improvement To Certain Outreach Under Solid Start Program of
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA implemented the Solid Start program as a proactive
outreach program to help support veterans as they transition
from their service into civilian life by calling veterans three
separate times (90, 180, and 365 days) throughout their first
year of transition. Studies have shown that the first-year post
service is the most difficult time period for veterans' overall
mental health due to the various challenges this major life
change may present. Committee oversight hearings have also
revealed that it takes several years for a veteran to feel
fully transitioned, with some veterans never feeling fully
transitioned to civilian life.
Solid Start is an outreach initiative designed to assist
transitioning servicemembers as they become veterans, managed
by VA's Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which oversees
the benefits and services provided to veterans. Servicemembers
are introduced to Solid Start as part of the Transition
Assistance Program (TAP), a largely mandatory program aimed at
helping separating servicemembers get ready for their
transition to civilian life.\1\ During phone calls, Solid Start
representatives share information on specific benefits, as well
as offer personalized guidance based on the veteran's needs and
interests. Such examples include providing information on
access to VA benefit programs, mental health resources, and
specific information for women veterans.
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\1\gao-23-105699(8).pdf.
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Currently, VA only has the authority to call a veteran to
disseminate Solid Start information. This section would expand
outreach methods from VA to veterans by increasing the ways VA
can reach out to veterans within the Solid Start Program. This
section would grant VA the authority to digitally communicate
with veterans by means other than a phone call. Through this
section individuals would receive information relevant to them
through mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging. During a prior meeting VA
mentioned that the younger generation of veterans pick up the
phone significantly less than senior veterans. In VA's 2024
Solid Start Program data, the contact rate was 77.66% for all
servicemembers, that number dropped to 55.53% for the 18-22 age
demographic of transitioning servicemembers. All age groups
outside of the 18-22 and the 23-27 groups had an over 80%
successful contact rate. The Committee believes that to reach
the youngest generation of veterans, VA must use the mode of
communication these veterans are most comfortable with. This
section if enacted would give VA the flexibility to accomplish
that goal.
Section 3: Department of Veterans Affairs Use of Tailored Lines of
Communication for Correspondence Relating to Educational
Assistance Benefits
The Digital G.I. Bill (DGIB) is a modernized platform for
veterans to see their education benefits online and allow VA to
communicate in real time. In the current version of DGIB
veterans are receiving communication relating to education
assistance through traditional mail. This section would allow
veterans to opt-in to receive education benefit communications
through digital messaging instead of receiving information via
traditional mail. This would allow veterans and dependents to
access their education benefits and communications information
more efficiently and in a modernized format. Instead of waiting
potentially weeks for mailed communications, which sometimes
are delivered to an outdated address because that is the
location VA has in their profile, the individual would receive
communication significantly faster and always have access to
the correspondence saved digitally. The Committee believes that
this section is greatly needed to allow veterans to receive
their information in a more effective, streamlined way to
ensure access to the best care and services.
Section 4: Extension of Certain Limits on Payments of Pension
Under current law (38 U.S.C. Sec. 5503(d)), the amount of
VA pension paid to veterans having no spouse or child,
veterans' surviving spouses having no child, and veterans'
children who are admitted to a VA or Medicaid sponsored nursing
facility is capped at $90 a month. This section would cover the
costs of the other sections of this bill by extending this
pension limitation from November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2033.
Because they receive government sponsored care in a nursing
home, these pension beneficiaries do not require the full
amount of pension to cover their cost of living. The Committee
believes this short-term extension of the current limit on
pension payments is a reasonable way to cover the costs
associated with the other sections of this bill.
Hearings
On June 11, 2025, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on a number of bills, including H.R.
3481.
The following witnesses testified:
Dr. Liz Clark, Acting Director, Defense Support
Services, U.S. Department of Defense, Mr. Nick
Pamperin, Executive Director, Veterans Readiness and
Employment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who
was accompanied by Mr. Thomas Alphonso, Assistant
Director of Policy and Implementation, Education
Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Mr.
Andrew Petrie, Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans
Education and Employment Division, The American Legion,
Mr. Blaze Smith, Director, Veterans Education and
Transition Center, The University of Arizona, Mr.
Matthew Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military
Policy, Reserve Organization of America, Ms. Ashlynne
Haycock-Lohmann, Director, Government and Legislative
Affairs, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
(TAPS).
The following individuals and organizations submitted
statements for the record:
Dr. Joseph W. Wescott, National Legislative Liaison,
National Association of State Approving Agencies
(NASAA), Mr. Will Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans
and Military Policy, Veterans Education Success (VES),
Ms. Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for
Governmental Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America
(PVA), Mr. Jake Fales, Senior Policy Fellow, and Hannah
Miller, Policy and Communications Fellow, Reserve
Organization of America (ROA), Ms. Tammy Barlet, Vice
President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of
America (SVA), Ms. Kristina Keenan,Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
(VFW).
Subcommittee Consideration
On July 3, 2025, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
was discharged from further consideration of this legislation.
Committee Consideration
On July 23, 2025, the full Committee met in open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 3481, as
amended, to be reported favorably to the House of
Representatives by voice vote. During consideration of the
bill, the following amendment was considered and agreed to by
voice vote:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by
Representative Barrett of Michigan, which added H.R.
3386, the ``Streamlining the Solid Start Communications
Act'' to the bill as amended and provided an offset for
the cost of the bill using the pension offset. This
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to
by voice vote.
A motion by Ranking Member Takano of California to
report H.R. 3481, as amended, favorably to the House of
Representatives, was adopted by voice vote.
Committee Votes
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, there were no recorded votes
taken on amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 3481,
as amended, reported to the House.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are to use more effective and streamlined
technologies to reach all veterans so they can receive the
care, services, and education they are entitled to.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority,
and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 3481, as amended, does not contain any Congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
3481 as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 3481, as amended, provided by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
H.R. 3481 would change how the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) corresponds with people receiving education
benefits and modify the pension program administered by VA. CBO
estimates that enacting the bill would increase spending
subject to appropriation by $54 million and decrease direct
spending by $56 million over the 2025-2035 period (see Table
1). The budgetary effects of the legislation fall within budget
functions 550 (health) and 700 (veterans benefits and
services).
Spending Subject to Appropriation. Section 3 of H.R. 3481
would require VA to allow people receiving education benefits
to correspond with the department via email, texting, or other
forms of electronic messaging. Currently, that correspondence
is carried out through the mail. VA is implementing a digital
platform (the Digital GI Bill) through which it plans to
modernize its processes regarding education benefits claims and
payments. However, the department testified that the Digital GI
Bill does not have the capability for electronic correspondence
and would require additional funding to build the capability.
Once built, VA would incur ongoing expenses for maintaining
that capability; however, CBO expects that those costs would be
offset by savings from a reduced number of mailings. On the
basis of information related to the contract costs of the
Digital GI Bill and personnel costs for contract management,
CBO estimates that VA would require $54 million to develop and
implement information technology systems to electronically
correspond with beneficiaries, over the 2025-2035 period. Such
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated
funds.
Direct Spending. Under current law, VA reduces pension
payments to veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid
nursing homes to $90 per month. That required reduction expires
November 30, 2031. Section 4 of H.R. 3481 would extend that
reduction for 14 months, through January 31, 2033. CBO
estimates that extending that requirement would reduce VA
benefits by $10 million per month. (Those benefits are paid
from mandatory appropriations and are therefore considered
direct spending.) As a result of that reduction in
beneficiaries' income, Medicaid would pay more of the cost of
their care, increasing spending for that program by $6 million
per month. Thus, enacting section 4 would reduce net direct
spending by $56 million over the 2025-2035 period.
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 3481
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2025-2030 2025-2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
EstimatedPAuthorization................... 0 50 1 1 2 * * * * * * 54 54
Estimated Outlays......................... 0 13 31 7 3 * * * * * * 54 54
DECREASES (-) IN DIRECT SPENDING
Estimated Budget Authority................ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -40 -16 0 0 0 -56
Estimated Outlays......................... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -40 -16 0 0 0 -56
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* = between -$500,000 and $500,000.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Paul B.A.
Holland. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony,
Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R 3481, as amended, prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
3481, as amended.
Statement of Constitutional Authority
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution, H.R. 3481, as amended, is authorized by Congress'
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare
of the United States.''
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 3481, as amended, does not
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 3481, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program
of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking
Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017),
the Committee estimates that H.R. 3481, as amended, contains no
directed rulemaking that would require the Secretary to
prescribe regulations.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1: Short title
This section would establish the short title of the bill as
the ``Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025.''
Section 2: Improvement to certain outreach under Solid Start Program of
Department of Veterans Affairs
This section would amend 38 U.S.C Sec. 6320(b) to allow
VA's Solid Start program to communicate via digital messaging
if the veteran is unreachable via phone calls. Under this
section, tailored lines of communication would include
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging.
Section 3: Department of Veterans Affairs Use of tailored lines of
communication for correspondence relating to educational
assistance benefits
This section would amend 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3680 to create a
new subsection that would allow veterans to opt-in to receive
digital messaging for all education benefit communications
within DGIB. This section would also allow an eligible veteran
or eligible person to opt out of digital messaging. Tailored
lines of communication under this section would include
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging.
Section 4: Extension of certain limits on payments of pension
This section would extend the limitation of pension payable
to certain veterans, their surviving spouses, and their
children as established in 38 U.S.C Sec. 5503(d)(7) from
November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2033.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 36--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 3680. Payment of educational assistance or subsistence allowances
(a) Period for Which Payment May Be Made.--(1) Except as
provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), payment of educational
assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible veterans or
eligible persons pursuing a program of education or training,
other than a program by correspondence, in an educational
institution under chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title shall be
paid as provided in this section and, as applicable, in section
3108, 3482, 3491, or 3532 of this title. Such payments shall be
paid only for the period of such veterans' or persons'
enrollment in, and pursuit of, such program, but no amount
shall be paid--
(A) to any eligible veteran or eligible person for
any period when such veteran or person is not pursuing
such veteran's or person's course in accordance with
the regularly established policies and regulations of
the educational institution, with the provisions of
such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary
pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, and with
the requirements of this chapter or of chapter 34 or 35
of this title, but payment may be made for an actual
period of pursuit of one or more unit subjects pursued
for a period of time shorter than the enrollment period
at the educational institution;
(B) to any eligible veteran or person for auditing a
course; or
(C) to any eligible veteran or person for a course
for which the grade assigned is not used in computing
the requirements for graduation including a course from
which the student withdraws unless--
(i) the eligible veteran or person withdraws
because he or she is ordered to active duty; or
(ii) the Secretary finds there are mitigating
circumstances, except that, in the first
instance of withdrawal (without regard to
withdrawals described in clause (i)) by the
eligible veteran or person from a course or
courses with respect to which the veteran or
person has been paid assistance under this
title, mitigating circumstances shall be
considered to exist with respect to courses
totaling not more than six semester hours or
the equivalent thereof.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may,
pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe,
continue to pay allowances to eligible veterans and eligible
persons enrolled in courses set forth in paragraph (1)(A)--
(A) during periods when educational institutions are
temporarily closed under an established policy based on
an Executive order of the President or due to an
emergency situation, except that the total number of
weeks for which allowances may continue to be so
payable in any 12-month period may not exceed 4 weeks;
or
(B) solely for the purpose of awarding a monthly
housing stipend described in section 3313 of this title
or a subsistence allowance described in section 3108,
during periods following a permanent closure of an
educational institution, or following the disapproval
of a course of study described in section 3699(b)(1)(B)
of this title, except that payment of such a stipend or
allowance may only be continued until the earlier of--
(i) the date of the end of the term, quarter,
or semester during which the closure or
disapproval occurred; and
(ii) the date that is 120 days after the date
of the closure or disapproval.
(3)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of an
eligible veteran or eligible person who is pursuing a program
of education on less than a half-time basis during a period
that is the last semester, term, or academic period the veteran
or person will be enrolled in the program of education because
the veteran or person will complete the program of education at
the end of that semester, term, or academic period, the
Secretary may, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary
shall prescribe, provide to the veteran or person educational
assistance under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of this
title or under chapter 1606 of title 10 on the basis of the
total number of credits or courses in which the veteran or
person is enrolled, if--
(i) the number of credits the veteran or person needs
to complete the program of education is less than the
number of credits that would constitute enrollment on a
more than half-time basis for that last semester, term,
or academic period; and
(ii) the veteran or person--
(I) is enrolled in, or has completed, every
course offered by the program of education
during the last semester, term, or academic
period in which the veteran or person is
enrolled in the program of education; and
(II) enrolls in an additional course that is
not required for the completion of such program
of education and the enrollment in the non-
required course in addition to the required
course or courses in which the veteran or
person is enrolled constitutes enrollment on
more than a half-time basis.
(B) For purposes of providing a monthly housing stipend
described in section 3313(c) to an eligible veteran or eligible
person for whom the Secretary is providing educational
assistance under chapter 33 of this title during a period that
is the last semester, term, or academic period pursuant to
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall treat the veteran or
person as pursuing a program of education on a full-time basis.
(b) Correspondence Training Certifications.--No educational
assistance allowance shall be paid to an eligible veteran or
spouse or surviving spouse enrolled in and pursuing a program
of education exclusively by correspondence until the Secretary
shall have received--
(1) from the eligible veteran or spouse or surviving
spouse a certificate as to the number of lessons
actually completed by the veteran or spouse or
surviving spouse and serviced by the educational
institution; and
(2) from the training establishment a certification
or an endorsement on the veteran's or spouse's or
surviving spouse's certificate, as to the number of
lessons completed by the veteran or spouse or surviving
spouse and serviced by the institution.
(c) Apprenticeship and Other On-Job Training.--No training
assistance allowance shall be paid to an eligible veteran or
eligible person enrolled in and pursuing a program of
apprenticeship or other on-job training until the Secretary
receives from the training establishment a certification that
such veteran or person was enrolled in and pursuing a program
of apprenticeship or other on-job training during such period.
(d) Advance Payment of Initial Educational Assistance or
Subsistence Allowance.--(1) The educational assistance or
subsistence allowance advance payment provided for in this
subsection is based upon a finding by the Congress that
eligible veterans and eligible persons may need additional
funds at the beginning of a school term to meet the expenses of
books, travel, deposits, and payment for living quarters, the
initial installment of tuition, and the other special expenses
which are concentrated at the beginning of a school term.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, and under
regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, an eligible
veteran or eligible person shall be paid an educational
assistance allowance or subsistence allowance, as appropriate,
advance payment. Such advance payment shall be made in an
amount equivalent to the allowance for the month or fraction
thereof in which pursuit of the program will commence, plus the
allowance for the succeeding month. In the case of a person on
active duty, who is pursuing a program of education, the
advance payment shall be in a lump sum based upon the amount
payable for the entire quarter, semester, or term, as
applicable. In no event shall an advance payment be made under
this subsection to a veteran or person intending to pursue a
program of education on less than a half-time basis. An advance
payment may not be made under this subsection to any veteran or
person unless the veteran or person requests such payment and
the Secretary finds that the educational institution at which
such veteran or person is accepted or enrolled has agreed to,
and can satisfactorily, carry out the provisions of paragraphs
(4)(B) and (C) and (5) of this subsection. The application for
advance payment, to be made on a form prescribed by the
Secretary, shall--
(A) in the case of an initial enrollment of a veteran
or person in an educational institution, contain
information showing that the veteran or person (i) is
eligible for educational benefits, (ii) has been
accepted by the institution, and (iii) has notified the
institution of such veteran's or person's intention to
attend that institution; and
(B) in the case of a re-enrollment of a veteran or
person, contain information showing that the veteran or
person (i) is eligible to continue such veteran's or
person's program of education or training and (ii)
intends to re-enroll in the same institution,
and, in either case, shall also state the number of semester or
clock-hours to be pursued by such veteran or person.
(3) For purposes of the Secretary's determination whether any
veteran or person is eligible for an advance payment under this
section, the information submitted by the institution, the
veteran or person, shall establish such veteran's or person's
eligibility unless there is evidence in such veteran's or
person's file in the processing office establishing that the
veteran or person is not eligible for such advance payment.
(4) The advance payment authorized by paragraph (2) of this
subsection shall, in the case of an eligible veteran or
eligible person, be (A) drawn in favor of the veteran or
person; (B) mailed to the educational institution listed on the
application form for temporary care and delivery to the veteran
or person by such institution; and (C) delivered to the veteran
or person upon such veteran's or person's registration at such
institution, but in no event shall such delivery be made
earlier than thirty days before the program of education is to
commence.
(5) Upon delivery of the advance payment pursuant to
paragraph (4) of this subsection, the institution shall submit
to the Secretary a certification of such delivery. If such
delivery is not effected within thirty days after commencement
of the program of education in question, such institution shall
return such payment to the Secretary forthwith.
(e) Recovery of Erroneous Payments.--(1) Subject to paragraph
(2), if an eligible veteran or eligible person fails to enroll
in or pursue a course for which an educational assistance or
subsistence allowance advance payment is made, the amount of
such payment and any amount of subsequent payments which, in
whole or in part, are due to erroneous information required to
be furnished under subsection (d)(2) of this section, shall
become an overpayment and shall constitute a liability of such
veteran or person to the United States and may be recovered,
unless waived pursuant to section 5302 of this title, from any
benefit otherwise due such veteran or person under any law
administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or may be
recovered in the same manner as any other debt due the United
States.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the recovery of an
overpayment of an educational allowance or subsistence
allowance advance payment to an eligible veteran or eligible
person who fails to enroll in or pursue a course of education
for which the payment is made if such failure is due to the
death of the veteran or person.
(f) Payments for Less Than Half-Time Training.--Payment of
educational assistance allowance in the case of any eligible
veteran or eligible person pursuing a program of education on
less than a half-time basis shall be made in an amount computed
for the entire quarter, semester, or term not later than the
last day of the month immediately following the month in which
certification is received from the educational institution that
such veteran or person has enrolled in and is pursuing a
program at such institution. Such lump sum payment shall be
computed at the rate provided in section 3482(b) or 3532(a)(2)
of this title, as applicable.
(g) Determination of Enrollment, Pursuit, and Attendance.--
(1) The Secretary may, pursuant to regulations which the
Secretary shall prescribe, determine and define with respect to
an eligible veteran and eligible person the following:
(A) Enrollment in a course or program of education or
training.
(B) Pursuit of a course or program of education or
training.
(C) Attendance at a course or program of education or
training.
(2) The Secretary may withhold payment of benefits to an
eligible veteran or eligible person until the Secretary
receives such proof as the Secretary may require of enrollment
in and satisfactory pursuit of a program of education by the
eligible veteran or eligible person. The Secretary shall adjust
the payment withheld, when necessary, on the basis of the proof
the Secretary receives.
(3) In the case of an individual other than an individual
described in paragraph (4), the Secretary may accept the
individual's monthly certification of enrollment in and
satisfactory pursuit of a program of education as sufficient
proof of the certified matters.
(4) In the case of an individual who has received an
accelerated payment of basic educational assistance under
section 3014A of this title during an enrollment period for a
program of education, the Secretary may accept the individual's
certification of enrollment in and satisfactory pursuit of the
program of education as sufficient proof of the certified
matters if the certification is submitted after the enrollment
period has ended.
(h) Payments During Emergency Situations.--(1) The Secretary
may pay allowances to an eligible veteran or eligible person
under subsection (a)(2)(A), if the veteran or person is
enrolled in a program or course of education that--
(A) is provided by an educational institution or
training establishment that is closed by reason of an
emergency situation; or
(B) is suspended by reason of an emergency situation.
(2) The total number of weeks for which allowances may be
paid by reason of this subsection may not exceed four weeks.
(3) Any amount paid under this subsection shall not be
counted for purposes of the limitation on allowances under
subsection (a)(2)(A).
(i)(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an
eligible veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of
communication to send and receive correspondence with the
Department of Veterans related to entitlement to and use of
educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by
the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible
veteran or eligible person is provided with an opportunity to
opt into sending and receiving such correspondence using such
lines of communication rather than by mail.
(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and
eligible persons who are enrolled in a course or program of
education or training notice of the opportunity to opt in to
sending and receiving correspondence using tailored lines of
communication pursuant to paragraph (1).
(3) In this subsection, the term ``tailored lines of
communication'' includes mailings, text messaging, virtual
chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging.
* * * * * * *
PART IV--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 55--MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER WARDS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5503. Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent
institutionalized veterans
(a)(1)(A) Where any veteran having neither spouse nor child
is being furnished domiciliary care by the Department, no
pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the
veteran for any period after the end of the third full calendar
month following the month of admission for such care.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph,
where any veteran having neither spouse nor child is being
furnished nursing home care by the Department, no pension in
excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the veteran for
any period after the end of the third full calendar month
following the month of admission for such care. Any amount in
excess of $90 per month to which the veteran would be entitled
but for the application of the preceding sentence shall be
deposited in a revolving fund at the Department medical
facility which furnished the veteran nursing care, and such
amount shall be available for obligation without fiscal year
limitation to help defray operating expenses of that facility.
(C) No pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or
for a veteran having neither spouse nor child for any period
after the month in which such veteran is readmitted for care
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph and
furnished by the Department if such veteran is readmitted
within six months of a period of care in connection with which
pension was reduced pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of this
paragraph.
(D) In the case of a veteran being furnished nursing home
care by the Department and with respect to whom subparagraph
(B) of this paragraph requires a reduction in pension, such
reduction shall not be made for a period of up to three
additional calendar months after the last day of the third
month referred to in such subparagraph if the Secretary
determines that the primary purpose for the furnishing of such
care during such additional period is for the Department to
provide such veteran with a prescribed program of
rehabilitation services, under chapter 17 of this title,
designed to restore such veteran's ability to function within
such veteran's family and community. If the Secretary
determines that it is necessary, after such period, for the
veteran to continue such program of rehabilitation services in
order to achieve the purposes of such program and that the
primary purpose of furnishing nursing home care to the veteran
continues to be the provision of such program to the veteran,
the reduction in pension required by subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph shall not be made for the number of calendar months
that the Secretary determines is necessary for the veteran to
achieve the purposes of such program.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall also apply to a
veteran being furnished such care who has a spouse but whose
pension is payable under section 1521(b) of this title. In such
a case, the Secretary may apportion and pay to the spouse, upon
an affirmative showing of hardship, all or any part of the
amounts in excess of the amount payable to the veteran while
being furnished such care which would be payable to the veteran
if pension were payable under section 1521(c) of this title.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or
any other provision of law, no reduction shall be made in the
pension of any veteran for any part of the period during which
the veteran is furnished hospital treatment, or institutional
or domiciliary care, for Hansen's disease, by the United States
or any political subdivision thereof.
(c) Where any veteran in receipt of an aid and attendance
allowance described in subsection (r) or (t) of section 1114 of
this title is hospitalized at Government expense, such
allowance shall be discontinued from the first day of the
second calendar month which begins after the date of the
veteran's admission for such hospitalization for so long as
such hospitalization continues. Any discontinuance required by
administrative regulation, during hospitalization of a veteran
by the Department, of increased pension based on need of
regular aid and attendance or additional compensation based on
need of regular aid and attendance as described in subsection
(l) or (m) of section 1114 of this title, shall not be
effective earlier than the first day of the second calendar
month which begins after the date of the veteran's admission
for hospitalization. In case a veteran affected by this
subsection leaves a hospital against medical advice and is
thereafter admitted to hospitalization within six months from
the date of such departure, such allowance, increased pension,
or additional compensation, as the case may be, shall be
discontinued from the date of such readmission for so long as
such hospitalization continues.
(d)(1) For the purposes of this subsection--
(A) the term ``Medicaid plan'' means a State plan for
medical assistance referred to in section 1902(a) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)); and
(B) the term ``nursing facility'' means a nursing
facility described in section 1919 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396r), other than a facility that is a State
home with respect to which the Secretary makes per diem
payments for nursing home care pursuant to section
1741(a) of this title.
(2) If a veteran having neither spouse nor child is covered
by a Medicaid plan for services furnished such veteran by a
nursing facility, no pension in excess of $90 per month shall
be paid to or for the veteran for any period after the month of
admission to such nursing facility.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of title XIX of the Social
Security Act, the amount of the payment paid a nursing facility
pursuant to a Medicaid plan for services furnished a veteran
may not be reduced by any amount of pension permitted to be
paid such veteran under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) A veteran is not liable to the United States for any
payment of pension in excess of the amount permitted under this
subsection that is paid to or for the veteran by reason of the
inability or failure of the Secretary to reduce the veteran's
pension under this subsection unless such inability or failure
is the result of a willful concealment by the veteran of
information necessary to make a reduction in pension under this
subsection.
(5)(A) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a surviving spouse having no child in the same
manner as they apply to a veteran having neither spouse nor
child.
(B) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a child entitled to pension under section 1542 of
this title in the same manner as they apply to a veteran having
neither spouse nor child.
(6) The costs of administering this subsection shall be paid
for from amounts available to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the payment of compensation and pension.
(7) This subsection expires on [November 30, 2031] January
31, 2033.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 63--OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Sec. 6320. Solid Start program
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program, to
be known as the ``Solid Start program'', under which the
Secretary shall--
(1) build the capacity of the Department to
efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and
needs of veterans who have recently separated from the
Armed Forces; and
(2) systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to
assist veterans, including efforts--
(A) to proactively reach out to newly
separated veterans to inform them of their
eligibility for programs of and benefits
provided by the Department, including how to
enroll in the system of annual patient
enrollment established and operated under
section 1705 of this title and the ability to
seek care and services under sections 1703 and
1710 of this title; and
(B) to connect veterans in crisis to
resources that address their immediate needs.
(b) Activities of the Solid Start Program.--(1) The
Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall
carry out the Solid Start program of the Department by--
(A) collecting up-to-date contact information during
transition classes or separation counseling for all
members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the
Armed Forces, while explaining the existence and
purpose of the Solid Start program;
(B) [calling] communicating with each veteran,
regardless of separation type or characterization of
service, three times within the first year after
separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces through
the use of tailored lines of communication, including
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging;
(C) providing information about the Solid Start
program on the website of the Department and in
materials of the Department, especially transition
booklets and other resources;
(D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of
each veteran's unique situation by conducting quality
assurance tests;
(E) prioritizing outreach to veterans who have
accessed mental health resources prior to separation
from the Armed Forces;
(F) providing women veterans with information that is
tailored to their specific health care and benefit
needs;
(G) as feasible, providing information on access to
State and local resources, including Vet Centers and
veterans service organizations; and
(H) gathering and analyzing data assessing the
effectiveness of the Solid Start program.
(2) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of
Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by--
(A) encouraging members of the Armed Forces who are
transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate
points of contact who can be reached should the member
be unavailable during the first year following the
separation of the member from the Armed Forces; and
(B) following up missed phone calls with [tailored
mailings] tailored lines of communication, including
mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other
electronic forms of messaging, to ensure the veteran
still receives similar information.
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term ``Vet Center'' has the meaning given
that term in section 1712A(h) of this title.
(B) The term ``veterans service organization'' means
an organization recognized by the Secretary for the
representation of veterans under section 5902 of this
title.
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