| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 42 p.) : ill. |
| System Details |
System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
|
Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (viewed on Mar. 26, 2012). |
|
"December 2011." |
| Summary |
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits to individuals who need regular assistance and the attendance of another person or Housebound benefits to individuals who are substantially confined to their homes. These benefits, which increase recipients' monthly disability compensation or pension payments, are called enhanced compensation or enhanced pension, respectively, collectively referred to as enhanced monthly benefits. This report describes (1) characteristics of enhanced monthly benefit recipients; (2) how the benefits help veterans obtain needed services, and the associated difficulties they face in obtaining these services; and (3) VA's efforts to educate veterans and their family members about the availability of the benefits. GAO's work included analyzing VA case-level demographic data from fiscal years 2000 to 2010 on enhanced monthly benefit recipients, conducting facilitated focus groups with veterans and their family representatives, and interviewing VA headquarters and regional officials on VA's outreach efforts for enhanced monthly benefits, as well as reviewing relevant federal laws and regulations. GAO recommends that VA conduct more focused outreach to better educate potential recipients about enhanced monthly benefits. VA agreed with the recommendation and described a number of actions it would take or explore to address it, such as including more detailed information in its printed material on enhanced monthly benefits. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-12-153." |
| Subject |
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Rules and practice -- Evaluation.
|
|
Disabled veterans -- Services for -- United States -- Evaluation.
|
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Disabled veterans -- Pensions -- United States.
|
| Indexed Term |
Enhanced monthly benefits |
| Added Author |
Bertoni, Daniel.
|
|
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
|
| Added Title |
Department of Veterans Affairs enhanced monthly benefits : recipient population is changing, and awareness could be improved |
|
Recipient population is changing, and awareness could be improved |
| Running Title |
VA A&A and housebound benefits |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-12-153 |
|
