Veterans' Services, Division of

Agency Web Site: https://veterans.ny.gov/

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 2023 Executive Budget recommends $27 million in appropriations for DVS. This represents a $2.7 million net increase in funding from FY 2022. Adjustments reflect the elimination of $4.2 million in legislative adds which are offset by a $1 million increase to support additional DVS staff in the Veteran’s’ Benefit Advising program, a $1 million increase to support Veterans’ Service Agencies, a $4.9 million increase to support the establishment of the first Veterans’ Cemetery, and a $50,000 increase to support the Veterans’ Kiosks pilot program.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 110 full-time employees which is an increase of 17 FTEs from FY 2022. The increase in DVS FTEs are associated with additional positions for Veterans’ Benefits Advisors.

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.

Veterans’ Cemetery Program

The Veterans’ Cemetery Program supports the establishment and maintenance of the first State Veterans’ cemetery which will provide a permanent resting place to honor New York’s veterans and their families.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category	Available FY 2022	Appropriations Recommended FY 2023	Change From FY 2022	Reappropriations Recommended FY 2023
State Operations	9,203,263	11,154,000	1,950,737	5,293,000
Aid To Localities	15,079,000	11,859,000	(3,220,000)	18,304,000
Capital Projects	0	4,000,000	4,000,000	0
Total	24,282,263	27,013,000	2,730,737	23,597,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program	FY 2022 Estimated FTEs 03/31/22	FY 2023 Estimated FTEs 03/31/23	FTE Change
Administration
General Fund	3	3	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund	82	99	17
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	8	8	0
Total	93	110	17

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2022	Recommended FY 2023	Change
General Fund	7,085,263	8,136,000	1,050,737
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	2,118,000	2,118,000	0
Special Revenue Funds - Other	0	900,000	900,000
Total	9,203,263	11,154,000	1,950,737
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund	(535,263)
Appropriated FY 2022	8,668,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2022	Recommended FY 2023	Change
Administration
General Fund	490,000	490,000	0
Special Revenue Funds - Other	0	900,000	900,000
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	2,118,000	2,118,000	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund	6,595,263	7,646,000	1,050,737
Total	9,203,263	11,154,000	1,950,737

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service Regular (Annual Salaried)
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	377,000	0	377,000	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising	7,237,000	1,000,737	7,214,000	1,000,737
Total	7,614,000	1,000,737	7,591,000	1,000,737

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Temporary Service (Nonannual Salaried)		Holiday/Overtime Pay
Program	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 2023 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Supplies and Materials
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	113,000	0	10,000	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising	409,000	50,000	63,000	0
Total	522,000	50,000	73,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Travel		Contractual Services
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	14,000	0	70,000	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising	104,000	0	102,000	0
Total	118,000	0	172,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Equipment
Program	Amount	Change
Administration	19,000	0
Veterans' Benefits Advising	140,000	50,000
Total	159,000	50,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	900,000	900,000	0	0
Veterans Education	2,118,000	0	1,239,000	0
Total	3,018,000	900,000	1,239,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Nonpersonal Service
Program	Amount	Change
Administration	900,000	900,000
Veterans Education	879,000	0
Total	1,779,000	900,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2022	Recommended FY 2023	Change
General Fund	14,579,000	11,359,000	(3,220,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	500,000	500,000	0
Total	15,079,000	11,859,000	(3,220,000)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2022	Recommended FY 2023	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	7,200,000	3,980,000	(3,220,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	500,000	500,000	0
Total	15,079,000	11,859,000	(3,220,000)

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program	Available FY 2022	Recommended FY 2023	Change	Reappropriations FY 2023
Veterans' Cemetery
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds	0	2,000,000	2,000,000	0
Federal Capital Projects Fund	0	2,000,000	2,000,000	0
Total	0	4,000,000	4,000,000	0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020

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