| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 32 p.) |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Mar. 31, 2010). |
|
"February 2010." |
| Summary |
Many individuals receiving monthly compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have mental impairments that prevent them from managing their finances. VA's Fiduciary Program selects and oversees third parties, called fiduciaries, to help manage and protect beneficiaries' funds. GAO examined (1) how effective program policies and procedures are in monitoring fiduciaries and safeguarding beneficiary assets, and (2) challenges VA faces in improving program performance and oversight. GAO reviewed program policies, analyzed a nationally representative random sample of case files, interviewed Central Office managers and staff, and conducted three site visits to Fiduciary Program offices which accounted for 25 percent of program beneficiaries. During these visits GAO interviewed regional office managers and staff and conducted 32 file reviews. GAO recommends that VA strengthen Fiduciary Program policies for monitoring fiduciaries; improve staff compliance with program policies; evaluate alternative approaches to meet electronic case management system needs; and evaluate the effectiveness of consolidating 14 western Fiduciary Program units. VA agreed with our recommendations and noted plans to address them. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-10-241." |
| Subject |
United States. Veterans Benefits Administration -- Rules and practice -- Evaluation.
|
|
Military pensions -- United States.
|
|
Veterans -- United States -- Finance, Personal.
|
|
Veterans -- Services for -- United States -- Evaluation.
|
| Added Author |
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
|
|
Bertoni, Daniel.
|
| Added Title |
Department of Veterans Affairs' fiduciary program : improved compliance and policies could better safeguard veterans' benefits |
|
Improved compliance and policies could better safeguard veterans' benefits |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-10-241 |
|
