Department of Veterans' Affairs
Veterans' Benefits and Assistance
What is the purpose of the division?
The Division of Veterans' Benefits and Assistance supports the Florida Department of Veterans' Affair's mission of veterans' advocacy. The division assists Florida veterans with obtaining financial and health benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).
How is the division organized and implemented?
The division accomplishes its purpose through the activities of three bureaus.
- Bureau of Field Services provides benefits assistance services to inpatients and outpatients in 44 of the USDVA medical facilities and the state veterans' nursing homes. Bureau staff help veterans apply for financial assistance, enroll in health care, and obtain equipment, such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. Staff also perform outreach and assist in staffing the state's Disaster Recovery Centers when established by the Division of Emergency Management during emergency situations.
- Bureau of State Approving Agency for Veterans' Education and Training oversees participation of institutions of higher learning and non-college degree schools in USDVA Education Benefits programs. The bureau reviews, evaluates, and approves veterans' education programs at these institutions.
- Bureau of Veterans' Claims Services provides counseling services and assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors with the preparation, submission, and prosecution of claims and appeals for state and federal benefits, as well as applications to correct military records. Bureau staff work directly with USDVA personnel to expedite claims and advocate on behalf of the client.
How can veterans find information on available benefits?
The 2019 edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors and 2021 edition of the Florida Veterans' Benefits Guide provide the latest information on veterans' benefits. In addition, the USDVA maintains current copies of the forms commonly required for initiating claims.
What is the claim volume for services?
For Fiscal Year 2019-20, the department reported processing 37,250 claims, which represents an decrease from the 42,580 claims processed in Fiscal Year 2018-19 but exceeded the division's goal of processing 23,141 claims.
How many veterans were served, and how many services were provided?
In Fiscal Year 2019-20, total veterans served decreased from 130,749 to 78,138, falling short of the department's standard of serving 101,088 veterans. Services provided decreased from 627,467 to 540,169, but exceeded the department's standard of providing 503,453 services.
What is the value of cost avoidance due to services?
For Fiscal Year 2019-2020, the value of cost avoidance because of issue resolutions was $69,163,531, a decrease from the previous year's total of $96,000,011, but well in excess of the department standard of $22,548,960.
The value of cost avoidance because of retroactive compensation in Financial Year 2019-20 was $156,994,948, an increase from the previous year's total of $133,741,292, and above the department standard of $93,838,976.
How are these activities funded?
Fiscal Year: 2021-22
| Fund | Salary Rate/ Position | General Revenue | Trust Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALARY RATE | ||||
| POSITIONS | ||||
| SALARIES AND BENEFITS | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| EXPENSES | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| SPECIAL CATEGORIES | ||||
| CONTRACTED SERVICES | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| SPECIAL CATEGORIES | ||||
| GRANTS AND AIDS - CONTRACTED SERVICES | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| SPECIAL CATEGORIES | ||||
| RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| SPECIAL CATEGORIES | ||||
| TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
| FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND | ||||
| GRANTS AND AIDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONSTATE ENTITIES - FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY | ||||
| FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ||||
TOTAL |
8,284,389 |
3,517,981 |
Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov
Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?
A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.
Where can I get more information?
Other Reports
Annual Reports, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans' Appeals
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.
Annual Reports, Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans' Appeals
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.
What are the applicable statutes?
Whom do I contact for help?
Don Stout, Director, Veterans' Benefits and Assistance, 727-319-7440
