Veterans Affairs, Division of
skip breadcrumbs| All amounts are in dollars |
| Category | Available 2007-08 |
Appropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
Change From 2007-08 |
Reappropriations Recommended 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Operations | 8,737,000 | 8,332,000 | -405,000 | 3,319,000 |
| Aid To Localities | 8,359,300 | 9,700,000 | 1,340,700 | 1,255,000 |
| Total | 17,096,300 | 18,032,000 | 935,700 | 4,574,000 |
| Full-Time Equivalent Positions (FTE) |
| Program | 2007-08 Estimated FTEs 03/31/08 |
2008-09 Estimated FTEs 03/31/09 |
FTE Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | |||
| General Fund | 9 | 10 | 1 |
| Higher Education | |||
| Special Revenue Funds - Federal | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Veteran Counseling Services Program | |||
| General Fund | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| Total | 112 | 113 | 1 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/22/08.
Mission
The Division of Veterans' Affairs assists veterans, members of the armed forces and their families and dependents in securing benefits earned through military service. The Division coordinates veterans' programs and services offered by other State agencies, works closely with the Federal Department of Veterans' Affairs and advocates State and Federal actions to meet veterans' needs. The Division serves 1.1 million New Yorkers who are veterans, as well as their dependents and those on active duty.
Budget Highlights
The Executive Budget recommends $18 million in All Funds ($15.7 million General Fund, $2.3 million Other Funds) in new appropriations for the Division of Veterans' Affairs. This is an increase of $900,000 (increase of $2.6 million General Fund and $1.7 million decrease in the Community Projects Fund) from the 2007-08 budget. This net change primarily reflects additional payments to veterans and families of deceased veterans.
The Executive Budget recommends a staffing level of 113 for the Division of Veterans Affairs, an increase from the 2007-08 budget of one position to manage two new veterans' benefits programs.
Major budget actions include:
- Blind Veteran Annuity: The 2008-09 Executive Budget includes a $220,000 General Fund increase for the Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance Program to accommodate the annual cost-of-living increase to benefits.
- Gold Star Parent Annuity: Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2007 established the Gold Star Annuity to provide assistance to eligible families of deceased veterans. The 2008-09 Executive Budget includes $650,000 for payments associated with this new benefit.
- Merchant Marine Bonus: Chapter 325 of the Laws of 2007 extended benefits for veterans of World War II, originally established by the laws of 1947, to merchant marines. The Division of Veterans Affairs will begin making these award payments in 2008-09.
2008-09 Executive Budget — Agency Presentation
Veterans Affairs, Division of (PDF)