FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
November
3, 2000
VA Applications Go
Online
WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- Veterans can now apply for benefits and health care online
with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Two new systems
will allow veterans quick, easy and secure access to apply for
compensation, pension, rehabilitation benefits and health care.
"This
is the first step toward an electronic VA," said Acting Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Hershel W. Gober. "We will use the best in
the business world and the latest in the high technology sector
to deliver world-class benefits and care to veterans. That's a
promise."
To apply
for health care, veterans can fill out and submit an Internet-based
10-10 EZ application available today for the first time nationwide.
Initially tested at 30 VA facilities, the 10-10 EZ is automatically
e-mailed to the VA health care facility selected by the veteran.
VA employees register the data, print the form and mail it back
to the veteran for signature. Veterans can also print out the
completed form and mail it to a VA health care facility themselves.
"Veterans
On Line Applications" (VONAPP) is designed for veterans to apply
for compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits
through the Internet. Completed applications are sent electronically
to the veteran's local VA office. Processing begins right away
and veterans receive a response letting them know the status of
their applications.
"Of course,
security is of paramount importance," said Gober. "These forms
are individually encrypted, ensuring the privacy of veterans'
personal data. This is part of VA's approach to department-wide
security planning and management."
Later this
year, VA plans to offer education applications on the Internet.
Currently, veterans attending school under the Montgomery GI Bill
can make their monthly certification of enrollment at http://www.gibill.va.gov.
Along with
10-10 EZ and VONAPP, VA has redesigned its Web page. "When veterans
access www.va.gov,
there will be no doubt that the focus and content reflects the
department's commitment to veterans," said Gober. "The new design
makes it easy to find information, as well as online applications."
VA aims to
eventually put all its health care and benefits applications online.
However veterans are not required to apply online and can continue
to use paper applications. To download other VA applications see:
http://www.va.gov/forms.
"Online applications,
bar coding for medications, computerized record systems, telemedicine
and in the near future -- Smart Cards -- are all examples of VA
developing information technology on par, and often ahead of,
the rest of the country," said Gober. "I'm really excited about
what technology can do to allow us to do a better job in caring
for the nation's veterans."
To
access Internet applications: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/
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