The Department of Veterans' Services administers the benefits program which provides aid to qualified veterans and their dependents. The Department manages transitional housing units, homeless shelters, and nine regional outreach centers to help veterans who need emergency assistance. In addition, the Department administers a one-time cash bonus program for veterans of the Persian Gulf War and disperses an annuity to certain paraplegic and blind disabled veterans.

Objectives

The Department will increase its efforts to ensure that every woman veteran in the Commonwealth is aware of the benefits and services to which she may be entitled. Funding for this new initiative is $25,500.

Budget Recommendations

The Fiscal Year 1998 recommendation includes an increase of $556,000 for the veterans' benefit account to provide for increases to ordinary benefits and fuel assistance.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
1410-0010	For the administration of the office of veterans' services	1,744,750

VETERANS' OUTREACH CENTERS
1410-0012	For services to veterans, including the maintenance and operation of outreach centers	770,084
	Local Aid Fund 100%

WOMEN VETERANS' OUTREACH
1410-0015	For the women veterans' outreach program	25,500
	Local Aid Fund 100%

VETERANS' SERVICES PENSION RECOVERY REVENUE MAXIMIZATION
1410-0100	For the elder affairs revenue maximization project which shall maximize revenues by identifying individuals who are eligible for veterans pensions and are currently receiving home care and home health services	95,983

ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS VETERANS
1410-0250	For homelessness services, including the maintenance and operation of homeless shelters and transitional housing for veterans	1,545,000

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNIT AT NEW ENGLAND SHELTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
1410-0251	For the maintenance and operation of transitional housing for veterans	680,000

ANNUITIES TO CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS
1410-0300	For the payment of annuities to certain disabled veterans	100,000

VETERANS' BENEFITS
1410-0400	For reimbursing cities and towns for money paid for veterans' benefits, and for payments to certain veterans; provided, that said reimbursements shall be made pursuant to section six of chapter one hundred fifteen of the General Laws	8,694,000
	Local Aid Fund 100%

Trust and Other Spending

1410-0600

WAR VETERANS REIMBURSEMENT FUND

2,000