Department of Veterans Services (912)

Authority: Title 2.2, Chapters 20, 24, 26, and 27, Code of Virginia.

A. Notwithstanding § 23-7.4:1, Code of Virginia, the department shall provide the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia the information these schools need to administer the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program. The department shall retain the responsibility to certify the eligibility of those who apply for financial aid under this program.

B. No child may receive the education benefits provided by § 23-7.4:1, Code of Virginia, and funded by this or similar state appropriations, for more than four years or its equivalent.

C. Out of the amounts appropriated in this Item, $1,964,246 and seven positions the first year and $1,964,246 and seven positions the second year from the general fund and $550,000 in the first year and $550,000 in the second year from nongeneral funds are provided for the "Wounded Warrior" program, operated in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

D. Out of the amounts appropriated for this item, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the licensing fees associated with an automated claims processing system for the submission of veterans' benefit claims.

E. Out of this appropriation, $199,900 the first year and $187,612 the second year from the general fund is provided to establish and operate the Fort Monroe Freedom Support Center, a highly collaborative, one-stop service facility for families of deployed military service members, transitioning service members, and veterans, which will include one full-time employee position to operate the center, identifying and connecting these individuals with service organizations that provide various means of assistance.