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Veterans' Services, Division of

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Agency Web Site: https://veterans.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The core mission of the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is to link veterans, members of the armed forces, and their families and dependents to various personal, medical, and financial benefits available to them as the result of active duty military service. DVS's professional counseling staff prepares, presents and prosecutes claims, including applications for monthly compensation and pension awards, education benefits, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation training, health care, nursing home care, tax exemptions and other services.

Organization and Staffing

DVS is led by a Director. DVS's workforce primarily consists of Veterans' Benefit Advisors located in all State regions to allow veterans better access to services. DVS is hosted by the Office of General Services, which provides administrative, budgetary, and human resources support.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2021 Executive Budget recommends $19.6 million for DVS. This represents a $1.6 million net decrease in funding from FY 2020, which reflects the elimination of legislative adds. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 98 full-time employees, unchanged from FY 2020 levels.

Program Highlights

Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance Program

The Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance Program provides annuities to legally blind veterans and eligible surviving spouses.

Veterans' Benefits Advising Program

The Veterans’ Benefits Advising Program offers advocacy and assistance services to veterans to secure and maintain Federal Veterans’ Affairs benefits.

Veterans' Education Program

The Veterans’ Education Program staff investigates and approves educational programs on behalf of veterans who qualify for these benefits.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2020		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2021		 Change From
FY 2020		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2021
State Operations 8,747,000 8,747,000 0 4,627,000
Aid To Localities 12,504,000 10,859,000 (1,645,000) 12,813,000
Total 21,251,000 19,606,000 (1,645,000) 17,440,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20		 FY 2021
Estimated FTEs
03/31/21		 FTE Change
Administration
General Fund 4 4 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund 86 86 0
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 8 8 0
Total 98 98 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
General Fund 6,722,000 6,722,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 2,025,000 2,025,000 0
Total 8,747,000 8,747,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
Administration
General Fund 480,000 480,000 0
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 2,025,000 2,025,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund 6,242,000 6,242,000 0
Total 8,747,000 8,747,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 367,000 0 367,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 5,804,000 0 5,781,000 0
Total 6,171,000 0 6,148,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)		 Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Veterans' Benefits Advising 0 0 23,000 0
Total 0 0 23,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 113,000 0 10,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 438,000 0 63,000 0
Total 551,000 0 73,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 14,000 0 70,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 104,000 0 181,000 0
Total 118,000 0 251,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration 19,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 90,000 0
Total 109,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Veterans Education 2,025,000 0 1,199,000 0
Total 2,025,000 0 1,199,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Veterans Education 826,000 0
Total 826,000 0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
General Fund 12,004,000 10,359,000 (1,645,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 500,000 500,000 0
Total 12,504,000 10,859,000 (1,645,000)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
Administration
General Fund 999,000 999,000 0
Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance
General Fund 6,380,000 6,380,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund 4,625,000 2,980,000 (1,645,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 500,000 500,000 0
Total 12,504,000 10,859,000 (1,645,000)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/29/2020

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