Congress passed a law earlier this year that expands military veterans Education Programs. A house Veterans Affair xplt wanted to know how thats going. Witnesses from various va offices responsible for the administration of education benefits for former soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen talked about their efforts to implement the 2017 law and about an Information Technology snag that created confusion among students. This is an hour and 15 minutes. The subcommittee will come to order. I have to apologize in advance. I have to step out and have asked congressman to preside in my absence. So thank you for that. I want to thank everybody for joining us for todays hearing of the subcommittee on Economic Opportunity where we will begin our first oversight hearing on the implementation of hr 3218, the harry veterans assistance act of 2017 this bill was designed or signed into law on august 16th, 2017 and a great example of what congress can do with we put the American People and in this case our Veterans First and foremost in addition to the efforts of chairman row and other members of this committee, it was it result of the good efforts of many of our vsos. Two of whom are joined with us on the panel, student veterans of america. This was the first major improvement to the gi bill since 2011 and brought forth by many members of this house. To serve either in uniform or along side their active duty spouse or parent. While we can all be proud of the collectedive achievement to pass the forever gi bill, its critical we work in tandem with other stake holders as the department begins it newly expanded or revised bill so we can if sure its rolled out seamlessly. Many of you can remember the significant delays that beneficiaries experience in 2009. I wasnt here then but we dont want that in this round of implementations and this happened after it passage of post 9 11 gi bill and im sure again we can all agree such delays cant happen again and its our job to identify any problems and solve them and have a smooth implementation, Cost Effective for all stake holders involved. I would be remiss if i didnt acknowledge the efforts to update them on the implementation. However, i think its important that we have these hearings so that we can discuss as Committee Members and we can lend our support and help to you and others in the department as you work to implement this reform package. I have concerns about it focus this is getting from the va Senior Leadership. As we have found Education Programs are often over looked in the department as a whole. I understand the secretary and Leadership Team have many priorities but i hope they understand it will be no small feet to execute such a large Reform Initiative which will result in over 3 billion of changes to the gi bill. Our investments and it taxpayers investment and the impact it will have on the future success of student veterans is, im sure youll agree, an important endeavor and wreerb got to get right. So i urge them to do whatever theyve got to do to give folks the resources that they need to roll this package out effectively again like we saw or were experienced in 2009. Before i yield to Ranking Member orork, i want to focus on the it resources i just mentioned. Im anxious to hear some of the testimony and i certainly have questions about this. Since joining this committee its always been clear that vas ip systems are often so convoluted that when they make changes to the bill the patchwork system of it programs is not able to keep up which can cause significant delays for student veterans. The subcommittees been told in the past that the plans for these systems would assure agility so they could quickly address changes in the law. That hasnt been the case its not often a focus of the department. I hope this practice does not continue, especially for something as important as it forever gi bill and i look forward to continuing to work with the va and my fellow members to make sure these resources are provided when needed. Now i want to yield to the Ranking Member. Theres not too much i can add to your excellent opening comments but to thank you and the majority staff and minority staff for insuring that we have a successful hearing today for those about to testify for our colleague and their questions. I think all of us want to make sure the forever gi bill is implemented successfully and work constructively together to see how we can insure that those are resolved and like it chairman i see the biggest challenge being one with it. And so appreciate the fact that general wurly is here and hes brought someone who can help answer those questions and suggest how we Work Together to insure that this goes smoothly and seamlessly for transitioning Service Members and for veterans. Also want to thank the veteran service org physicalations that are here today. I yield back. Thank our Ranking Member. With us today we have general robert worley, director of vas Education Service accompanied by ms. Chairman bogue, deputy va serbs and acting information account manager for the benefits portfolio within the office of information and technology. And mrs. Kathleen for relzs. And analyst for survivors. So thank you again for being here today. Before we begin with your testimonies i ask if you would please stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the testimony youre about to provide is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you. Please be seated and let the record reflect all the witnesses answered in the afirmative. And all of you will be recognized for five minutes for your oral statements. Lets begin with you. Youre now recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Ranking member orork. Im please tootd be here to discuss vas work on updating the veterans educational asishance act of 2017. Also referred to as the forever gi bill. Joining me is Deputy Director for operations and Education Service and vas project lead for implementation. It president signed into law which makes sweeping changes, expands benefits and truly changes it way we view the forever gi bill for it future. The act as become known as the forever gi bill because of its most recognized feature as a removal of the 15year time limitation transitioning out of the military after january first of 2013. To use their post 9 11 gi bill benefits. Other important features are that it restores features since 2015. And enhances benefits for surviving dependents and purple heart recipients. It led them to leading and coordinating all forever bill implementation activities. Also in record time a Management Contract that provides further support through it addition of additional expertise. The law require as significant it effort with 32 of the 34 provisions if oit as committed to providing alution for it most pressing of these provisions. Sections 107 and 501 which changed the way va pays monthly housing. They will assure timely processing of additional claims and will stand up new initiatives such as theedeth Norris Rogers stem scholarship by establishing specialized teams. And by hiring 202 temporary employees in the field. First focus on the 15 provisions and executing to effect beneficiaries and ulkter stake holders. A vuvariety of outreach activities. Va has been posting multiple updates on its gi Facebook Page and they healed twitter town hall reaching and participated in a Satellite Media tour with 23 radio and television stations reaching 4 Million Viewers and listeners and sent out mass emails and conducted multiple briefings to School Certifying officials as you knothey target certain categories. And more targeted notification for example we have notified 8,000 beneficiaries that may be eligible under the School Closure provision. It has restored kwaeng 00 months of entitlement for over 200 beneficiaries. Its working hard on successfully implementing all of the provisions of the act on time. 13 of 34 provisions effected effective on 20 faen. Res having regulations, designing training and more we continue to look forward to working with all of our stake holders. I look forward to responding to any questions you may have. Thank you for inviting student veterans of america to toich on the implementation of the forever gi bill. With nearly 1500 chapters representing veterans across it country, were pleased to share the perspective commonly known as the forever gi bill made history. As one of the most significant pieces of Higher Education legislation this century, millions will have greater access to education and training we would like to share some perspective. Driven by outcomes and fuelled with data driven decision making. It ifcludes dozens of solution oriented provisions such as the work study authorization, Science Technology engineering and math scholarships. And many other provisions. The new law will also address inequities and looks forward to the future beyond our own generation. As leading advocates to the bill were committed to the complete and timely implementation of this law. With that interest in mind we thank the committee for the opportunity to highlight several key areas of success as well as some with room for improvement. We applaud them for their dead kaeted staff for demonstrating great initiative, especially their very public communication s efforts. Until the forever bill, the only students with no reasonable recourse to recoupe their benefits. The most prolific examples included the closure of itt tech unfofrp if thely thousands wered aversely effected and we aplaud va for allowing them to apply for restoration of their benefits. Were concerned so few have applied for the restoration under the School Closure provision. Like our concern with reaching purple heart recipients, Contact Information may not be reliable. We encourage va to partner with stud ntd veterans of america and others to reach out to the widest audience possible. The provision originated from the 113th congress. And congresswoman tidis. We are pleased to see it as a law. Student veterans consistently site this as a component with which they have the greatest interest. As the forever gi bill was being developed, it became increasingly clear the implementation costs would be a significant driver of cost. We have Major Concerns about whether theyre receiving adequate resources. It represent as significant shift in education for veterans and Higher Education in general. More important than inputs and outcomes are thats more parent than ever. It has demonstrated results as president Thomas Jefferson said in 1808 the same prudence in private life that would prevent us from spending our own money we raise the question. Whoicide be able to play in gi bill land . Consider the precedent of the home loan program. Many dont apply, leading to outcomes impressive by any standard and perhaps the same should be thought about for the gi bill. We thank the chairman and Ranking Member for inviting us to testify. Now ill recog friendship. Thank you, we thank you for the opportunity to talk about issues important to the families we serve, the families of the fallen. While the mission of taps is to offer comfort and support, we are also committed to improving support provided by the federal government for the families of the fallen. Those who fall from combat or illness. Taps appreciates the Attention Committee has paid to making sure they have benefits that give them access to quality education. Taps provides specialized support through our web education portal regarding the education benefits available for children and spouses of americas fallen heroes. Staff members work with each individual to maximize the Financial Support they can receive to complete their education from both government and private agencies. This also allows us to hear from survivors where they if counterproblems and stumbling blocks in the process. We are most grateful the provisions in the veterans Educational Assistance act of 2017 that supports survivors and most appreciative of the opportunities to comment on the implementation of this legislation. We have heard from many of taps surviving spouses concerning the implementation of the forever gi bill. While theyre most appreciative of the enhanced benefit, many have concerns. We have work would the va to solve many of them. Fersh is the date found on a va certificate of eligibility that informs the individual of the date they are no longer eligible for education benefits. As of early december, theyre still receiving the let wrz the 15year delimitating date. While some are aware, theyre reluctant to actualize their Education Plan until they have the correct education on their certificate of eligibility. Taps did query about this discrepancy. They offered that while it upgrades are in process, the system does not currently allow the letter to go out without a delimitating date. We appreciate it steps this office has taken to develop or work around, including enhanced training to Call Center Personnel to if sure eligible recipients that there is no delimitating date, sending letters if forming spouses that for had is no delimitating date and manually changing new certificates of eligibility until they find a new solution. As said before the success off the implementation is entirely dependentant on changes to the it system. We hope there will be funding to expedite this process. While mandatory training for School Certifying officials is included, were concerned about the schools being fully aware of the changes coming in august 2018. We hope there will be coordination within the schools so the person talking to the student is aware of the changes. Taps biggest concern with are the changes being implemented in august is there will be delayed payment in the fall 2018 simester. Even with the few changes this fall there were issues with schools demanding payment because of delayed va payments. Students receiving va payments were not allowed to register for spring 2018 or use campus facilities because the va payment was delayed. In some cases they were put on payment plans they could not afford or forced to take out Student Loans with egregious origination fees to continue the education program. Taps recommends they have the same profection as those who receive title 4 funding such as pell grants and Student Loans. They believe the best way to do this is through a legislative change. Weve been in discussion to assist these students. It would give the va the ability to untlsz Educational Institution permits to attend permitting payment by the va and accepts a eligibility as a prommes for payment. Continued cooperation for the va, and interested vsos and survivor advocates is essential to make the forever gi bill a success. Taps will continue to provide feedback to both the va and committee on the experience of survivors. Thank you and i look forward to your questions. Youre welcome and i thamg the panel for their testimony today. General, first of all thank you for your service to our country. On a Conference Call last week subcommittee staff were informed that due to a problem with the vas it system the department will still have letters and certificates of eligibility that will be sent to chapter 33 beneficiaries that show their gi benefits expire, despite the change made in section 112 of the forever gi bill. On the call the proposed work around was to send the ben fishiary a separate letter telling them to basically ignore it first letter. Wrought the departments plans to address the situation, this particular situation which if not addressed will certainly cause mass confusion for are had program participants. I cant believe this is happening. And our soldiers, our veterans deserve better. They deserve certainty. So id appreciate it very much. Couldnt agree more. We want to put out consistent and Accurate Information to our beneficiaries. We appreciate it concern the committee has on this. Ill answer this. Ill start with part a of the answer and ill turn it over to talk about part b of the answer. Part a has to do with it initial certificate of eligibility that was mentioned by our colleague at the table. After weve done what we need to do to check eligibility requirements. Those are manually generated and we can and will start this month manually updating those letters so that its clear because there will be well, not starting now but we have to check the eligibility and make sure its after january of 2013 and then those letters will be updated accurately to reflect whether there is or is not a delimitating date. How much time will that take to manually update the letters . These letters are manually produced anyway, the initial certificate of eligibility. So its a little bit of added time to the claims examiners work to do that. Its not a big impact. The bigger impact that we were concerned about has to do with the enrollment letters. So they get an award letter that updates them on the amount of benefit they have left and what theyre being paid and housing and so forth. The reason these letters are difficult to change quickly is because theyre integrated and tied into the code of the longterm solution. So ill turn it over to