OPPAGA Government Program Summary

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 and their dependents with obtaining financial and health benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

How is the division organized and implemented?

The division accomplishes its purpose through the activities of three bureaus.

Bureau of Veterans' Field Services provides benefits counseling services in a total of 50 locations; 33 of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities in Florida, one county resource center, four Veterans Affairs VET Centers, three Military bases, eight skilled nursing facilities, and one assisted living facility. Bureau staff work directly with the decision resources in the VA Regional Office to expedite claims through advocacy for state and federal benefits. Additionally, bureau staff perform outreach services to obtain benefits, including assistance obtaining medical treatment and equipment, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and medications. Staff also 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 reviews, evaluates and approves programs of veterans’ education at Florida’s institutions of higher learning and non-college degree schools for participation in VA Education Benefit programs.
Bureau of Veterans' Claims Services provides counseling and assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors, with the preparation, submission and prosecution of claims and appeals claims. The bureau's secondary focus centered around the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims. Veterans' claims examiners processed approximately 450 claims for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987. The bureau also provided assistance during two hurricanes and a tornado during 2022.

How can veterans find information on available benefits?

The 2021 edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors and the 2023 edition of the Florida Veterans' Benefits Guide provide the latest information on veterans' benefits. In addition, the VA maintains current copies of the forms commonly required for initiating claims.

What is the claim volume for services?

For Fiscal Year 2021-22, the department reported processing 14,971 claims, a decrease from the 25,356 claims processed in Fiscal Year 2020-21. The number of claims reported for Fiscal Year 2021-22 did not meet the department's goal of 24,076.

How many veterans were served, and how many services were provided?

In Fiscal Year 2021-22, total veterans served decreased from 81,423 to 73,852, falling short of the department's standard of serving 105,172 veterans. Services provided decreased from 313,033 to 169,732, thus not meeting the department's standard of providing 523,792 services.

What is the value of cost avoidance due to services?

For Fiscal Year 2021-22, the value of cost avoidance because of issue resolutions was $74,897,847, an increase from the previous year's total of $61,932,620, and well in excess of the department standard of $23,459,938. Additionally, the value of cost avoidance because of retroactive compensation was $215,284,006, an increase from the previous year's total of $194,668,373, and above the department standard of $97,630,071.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

	Fund	Salary Rate/ Position	General Revenue	Trust Funds
SALARY RATE		6,552,725
POSITIONS		120.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			5,729,263
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			3,417,648
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			13,054
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			11,263
EXPENSES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			271,506
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			386,359
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			15,500
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			2,569
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			32,500
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			9,042,948
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			16,360
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			7,972
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			24,238
	FROM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND			15,223
GRANTS AND AIDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONSTATE ENTITIES - FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			7,875,000
TOTAL			22,974,938	3,886,465

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.

What are the applicable statutes?

Sections 20.37, 292.05, 295.124, and 292.11, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Don Stout, Director, Veterans' Benefits and Assistance, 727-319-7440
Website