Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program Fiscal Year Report PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

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1 PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS Major General Wesley E. Craig, The Adjutant General Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program Fiscal Year Report

2 D E P A R T M E N T O F M I L I T A R Y A N D V E T E R A N S A F F A I R S Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs The Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA

3 S U M M A R Y R E P O R T Table of Contents Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Program Summary Report... 1 Current Claim Inventory by County FY Program Statistics... 4 Applications Received By State for FY Applications Received By County for FY Payments Approved for FY Payment Amount by State for FY Payment Amount by County for FY Workflow Detail... 9 Applications Requested... 9 Applications Received... 9 Common Issues Outreach and Media Events Program Overview Frequently Asked Questions Application Forms... 22

4 S U M M A R Y R E P O R T Section 1 Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Program Summary Report T his section includes high level program statistics such as claim volume and dollars awarded. It also provides a summary of key program dates. On April 24, 2006, the Governor signed House Bill 1820 into law as Act 29 of This Bill establishes the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the benefit which provides a one-time lump sum bonus payment to eligible Pennsylvania veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Eligible Pennsylvania veterans include current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard who served from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 within the program-designated Persian Gulf Conflict Theater of Operations. Additionally, service members/veterans must have been a legal resident of Pennsylvania, received the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWAM) for active service during the period from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991, and been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty. In some cases, surviving relatives of deceased veterans may receive the bonus payment on behalf of eligible veterans. Additional details are available: 1) On-line at: 2) Via telephone at , Mon thru Fri between 7AM and 4PM 3) Via mail at: Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program, Building S-0-47, Ft Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA

5 S U M M A R Y R E P O R T Ms. Tracey Ditzler Veterans' Programs Manager June 30, 2013 Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program Summary Report A. Applications. Fiscal Year[1] TOTAL Average Applications Received 1, ,576 (per Month) Total Applications Received 3,621 3,799 1, ,169 Total Amount Paid $1,135,925 $1,415,988 $426,650 $212,225 $134,475 $88,350 $3,393,813 B. Previously Rejected Applications During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, 131 applications were disapproved. When an application is disapproved, the applicant is notified and he or she is provided an explanation. Applicants are given an opportunity to reapply. Applicants whose applications are disapproved for a second time have the opportunity to submit a request for reconsideration. C. Key Dates. Date April 24, 2006 November 7, 2006 April 4, 2008 April 24, 2008 January, 2013 Event The Governor signed House Bill 1820 into law as Act 29 of This Bill establishes the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Act. On November 7, 2006, Pennsylvania voters gave overwhelming approval to a ballot question to fund the program. The bond issue created a fund for the payment of compensation to, or on behalf of, eligible current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard. Program first announced on DMVA website First benefit checks awarded Program transferred to DMVA at FIG 2

6 S U M M A R Y R E P O R T D. Current Claim Inventory by County for FY County (Outside of PA) Total Claims Total Claims Paid Total Paid Amount Avg Paid Amount County Total Claims Total Claims Paid Total Paid Amount $15,675 $ Juniata Avg Paid Amount Adams 3 1 $ $ Lackawanna 2 3 $ $ Allegheny $6, $ Lancaster 8 8 $3, $ Armstrong 1 1 $ $ Lawrence 3 1 $ $ Beaver 13 5 $1, $ Lebanon 3 5 $1, $ Bedford 0 1 $ $0.00 Lehigh 1 5 $2, $ Berks 7 10 $3, $ Luzerne 7 7 $3, $ Blair 3 4 $1, $ Lycoming 6 3 $1, $ Bradford 0 2 $ $ McKean 2 1 $ $ Bucks 5 7 $2, $ Mercer 5 2 $ $ Butler 3 5 $2, $ Mifflin 5 1 $ $ Cambria 1 1 $ $ Monroe 1 2 $1, $ Cameron $0.00 Montgomery 14 6 $2, $ Carbon 0 1 $ $ Montour 0 1 $ $ Centre 1 1 $ $ Northampton 2 3 $1, $ Chester 4 6 $2, $ Northumberland 1 2 $ $ Clarion $0.00 Perry 2 1 $ $ Clearfield 2 1 $ $ Philadelphia $5, $ Clinton $0.00 Pike $0.00 Columbia 0 1 $ $ Potter $0.00 Crawford 4 4 $2, $ Schuylkill 0 5 $2, $ Cumberland 5 1 $ $ Snyder $0.00 Dauphin 13 6 $2, $ Somerset 1 1 $ $ Delaware 12 6 $1, $ Sullivan $0.00 Elk 1 1 $ $ Susquehanna $0.00 Erie 10 6 $1, $ Tioga Fayette 4 2 $ $ Union 0 1 $ $ Forest Venango 3 5 $2, $ Franklin 2 2 $ $ Warren 2 1 $75.00 $75.00 Fulton $0.00 Washington 5 3 $1, $ Greene $0.00 Wayne $0.00 Huntingdon $0.00 Westmoreland 7 1 $ $ Indiana 4 4 $1, $ Wyoming 3 1 $ $0.00 Jefferson 0 2 $1, $ York 7 6 $2, $ Totals $88,350 $

7 P R O G R A M S T A T I S T I C S Section 2 Program Statistics T his section will provides detailed statistics, including charts and maps related to: Telephone Inquiries (volumes, trends and origination (by state)) Applications Received (volumes, trends, origination (by state and county)) Payments Approved (totals, trends, destination (by state and county)) Applications Received This series of charts and graphs provides information concerning the applications received for processing, by the program service center, during the fiscal year ending on June 30, Month Applications Cumulative per Month Total 12-Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

8 P R O G R A M S T A T I S T I C S Applications Received By State for FY 2013 State Count State Count State Count State Count AE 3 IL 0 NH 0 VA 11 AP 1 IN 0 NJ 3 VT 0 AK 0 KS 0 NM 0 WA 3 AL 0 KY 0 NV 0 WI 0 AR 1 LA 1 NY 2 WV 0 AZ 2 MA 2 OH 10 WY 1 CA 3 MD 3 OK 2 CO 0 ME 0 OR 1 TOTAL 342 CT 0 MI 0 PA 261 DC 0 MN 1 RI 0 DE 1 MO 1 SC 1 FL 10 MS 1 SD 0 GA 2 MT 0 TN 3 HI 2 NC 5 TX 5 IA 0 ND 0 UT 0 ID 0 NE 0 Applications Received By County for FY 2013 County Count County Count County Count County Count Adams 3 Clinton 0 Lackawanna 2 Pike 0 Allegheny 20 Columbia 0 Lancaster 8 Potter 2 Armstrong 1 Crawford 4 Lawrence 3 Schuylkill 0 Beaver 13 Cumberland 5 Lebanon 3 Snyder 1 Bedford 0 Dauphin 13 Lehigh 1 Somerset 1 Berks 7 Delaware 12 Luzerne 7 Sullivan 0 Blair 3 Elk 1 Lycoming 6 Susquehanna 0 Bradford 0 Erie 10 McKean 2 Tioga 3 Bucks 5 Fayette 4 Mercer 5 Union 0 Butler 3 Forest 0 Mifflin 5 Venango 3 Cambria 1 Franklin 2 Monroe 1 Warren 2 Cameron 0 Fulton 0 Montgomery 14 Washington 5 Carbon 0 Greene 0 Montour 0 Wayne 1 Centre 1 Huntingdon 0 Northampton 2 Westmoreland 7 Chester 4 Indiana 4 Northumberland 1 Wyoming 3 Clarion 0 Jefferson 0 Perry 2 York 7 Clearfield 2 Juniata 1 Philadelphia 45 TOTAL 261 5

9 P R O G R A M S T A T I S T I C S Payments Approved This series of charts and graphs provides information concerning the applications that were approved for payment during the fiscal year ending June 30, Month Monthly Total Cumulative Total Count Amount Count Amount 12-Jul 20 $8, $8, Aug 11 $4, $13, Sep 25 $9, $22, Oct 21 $7, $30, Nov 14 $5, $35, Dec 13 $5, $40, Jan 13 $4, $45, Feb 12 $5, $50, Mar 20 $9, $59, Apr 41 $15, $74, May 0 $ $74, Jun 13 $4, $79,

10 P R O G R A M S T A T I S T I C S Payment Amount by State for FY State Amount State Amount State Amount State Amount AE $ IN $0.00 NH $0.00 VA $2, AK $0.00 KS $0.00 NJ $0.00 VT $0.00 AL $ KY $ NM $0.00 WA $0.00 AR $0.00 LA $0.00 NV $ WI $0.00 AZ $ MA $0.00 NY $1, WV $0.00 CA $1, MD $ OH $ WY $0.00 CO $ ME $0.00 OK $ TOTAL $88,350 CT $ MI $0.00 OR $0.00 DC $0.00 MN $0.00 PA $72, DE $1, MO $0.00 RI $0.00 FL $ MS $0.00 SC $0.00 GA $ MT $0.00 SD $0.00 HI $0.00 NC $1, TN $ IA $ ND $0.00 TX $ ID $0.00 NE $0.00 UT $0.00 IL $0.00 7

11 P R O G R A M S T A T I S T I C S Payment Amount by County for FY County Amount County Amount County Amount County Amount Adams $225 Clinton $0 Lackawanna $900 Pike $0 Allegheny $6,075 Columbia $525 Lancaster $3,300 Potter $0 Armstrong $450 Crawford $2,100 Lawrence $450 Schuylkill $2,325 Beaver $1,500 Cumberland $450 Lebanon $1,875 Snyder $0 Bedford $525 Dauphin $2,400 Lehigh $2,400 Somerset $300 Berks $3,450 Delaware $1,650 Luzerne $3,150 Sullivan $0 Blair $1,800 Elk $525 Lycoming $1,125 Susquehanna $0 Bradford $750 Erie $1,950 McKean $300 Tioga $0 Bucks $2,025 Fayette $750 Mercer $525 Union $525 Butler $2,025 Forest $0 Mifflin $525 Venango $2,100 Cambria $525 Franklin $525 Monroe $1,050 Warren $75 Cameron $0 Fulton $0 Montgomery $2,025 Washington $1,200 Carbon $225 Greene $0 Montour $300 Wayne $0 Centre $525 Huntingdon $0 Northampton $1,275 Westmoreland $525 Chester $2,625 Indiana $1,650 Northumberland $600 Wyoming $525 Clarion $0 Jefferson $1,050 Perry $150 York $2,625 Clearfield $525 Juniata $0 Philadelphia $5,700 TOTAL $72,675 8

12 O U T R E A C H A N D M E D I A E V E N T S Section 3 Workflow Detail T his section provides a description of key stages of the application processing workflow and relevant, related statistics. It presents metrics on the time-frames for processing applications and and identifies the most frequently occurring issues. Applications Requested There are several ways in which program applications can be obtained. They are available for download from the DMVA website, at the offices of County Veterans Services Directors, Legislative Offices, and Veterans Service Organizations. Requests for applications are processed by the program service center on the day they are received. The appropriate application form (PG-1 Short or PG-1 Long) and a digest are mailed to the requestor within one business day. Applications Received During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, 342 applications were received by the program service center. The table below depicts the status of these applications as of the end of the period. Status Claims Application Requested 16 Payment Approved 192 Pending - Insufficient Documentation 28 Reconsideration - Approved 4 Rejection - Approved 98 9

13 W O R K F L O W D E T A I L S Common Issues The most prevalent reasons that applications could not be processed upon initial submission include: The supporting documentation did not specifically state the periods of qualifying service The supporting documentation did not show award of Southwest Asia Service Medal The supporting documentation did not show type of Character of Service discharge 10

14 O U T R E A C H A N D M E D I A E V E N T S Section 4 Outreach and Media Events T his section includes a chronology (dates and descriptions) of the various media and outreach events that occurred during the fiscal year ending on June 30, In fiscal year 2012, social media messages were posted on our various outlets: DMVA Facebook, DMVA Twitter, PNG Facebook, PNG Twitter, FTIG Facebook. County Directors of Veterans Affairs were also reminded to review veteran information for those who may be eligible at the County Director Annual Training session. Outreach and Media Events Date Event 7/30/2011 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 9/22/2011 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 10/15/2011 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 11/8/2011 Issued statewide news release along with a letter to the editor for placement consideration on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, /8/2011 Issued statewide radio public service announcement (.30 sec.) via PA Radio News Service/Commonwealth Media Services 11/29/2011 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 12/15/2011 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 1/16/2012 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 2/19/2012 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 4/14/2012 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings 7/15/2012 DMVA Twitter - PNG Twitter PNG Faceboook - site postings Exhibit 9 11

15 P R O G R A M O V E R V I E W Section 5 Program Overview T his section provides a program summary. It covers the background of the program, enabling legislation, summary of eligibility requirements, program benefits, and the application, reconsideration and appeals processes. 12

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21 F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S Section 6 Frequently Asked Questions T his section includes the ten questions that were asked of the program service center staff most frequently and the corresponding answers. 18

22 F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S Q. Who is eligible to receive a benefit under the terms of the program? A. The program allows for compensation to be paid to eligible service members (current and former) as well as certain surviving relatives of deceased veterans. In each case, the service member/veteran must have: Served with the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard. For Active Duty served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. For National Guard or Reserves served in support of the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active service (Aug 2, 1990 Aug 31, 1991). Eligible beneficiaries of deceased veterans include, in the following order of precedence: Surviving spouse. Surviving children. Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.25", Tab stops: Not at 0.25" Surviving parents A complete explanation of the qualifying criteria is available on the program website: Q. How may I obtain an application? A. Applications are available online at or by calling Q. What supporting documentation is required? A. All applicants must provide proof of the Veteran s service and honorable discharge. This must be supported with a copy of the veterans DD214 or updated DD215 with the Southwest Asia Service Medal receipt shown or, for currently active duty service members, Certified Military records with the Southwest Service Medal receipt shown. Also, Pennsylvania residency can be demonstrated by supplying a copy of DD214 that reflects Pennsylvania as the Home of Record box 7b. In addition: A relative of a deceased Veteran must submit a legible photocopy of the Veteran s death certificate. 19

23 F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S A relative of a deceased Veteran who died of a service-related injury must submit a Military Death Certificate (DD Form 1300), and Award Letter for Death in Combat (if married) or a USDVA Rating Decision Letter. An applicant filing as a surviving spouse must submit a legible photocopy of a marriage certificate. An applicant filing as a surviving child must submit legible copy of a birth certificate for himself or herself as well as for each additional surviving child. An applicant filing as a surviving parent must submit a legible copy of the Veteran s birth certificate or, in the case of a foster parenting situation, a proof of the fostering relationship must be provided. A representative applying for compensation on behalf of a Veteran, who has been declared incompetent, must provide a Certificate of Representation (e.g. Power of Attorney). A complete list of the required documentation is available on the program website: Q. What if my discharge information (DD Form 214) is incomplete? A. If your records are not complete (for example, your DD form 214 does not reflect the Southwest Asia Service Medal) you can request a DD form 215 (Correction to DD form 214) by contacting the National Archives. You may call the National Archives by phone at or by visiting the website at: Depending upon the information you are requesting, you may be directed to complete and send an SF 180. Q. How can I obtain my military records? A. You may call the National Archives by phone at or by visiting the website at: Depending upon the information you are requesting, you may be directed to complete and send an SF 180. Q. How long do I have to file? A. The deadline for submitting applications for this benefit is August 31, Q. How is compensation calculated? A. Benefit payments, not to exceed $525, are calculated on the basis of $75 for the first month for which the service member completed one day of qualifying service and $75 for each full month or major fraction of a month thereafter for which the eligible veteran completed qualifying service. For Active Duty service members, service must have been performed in theater. 20

24 F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S For National Guard and Reserve service members, service must have been in support of operations in the Persian Gulf. Q. How soon should I expect to receive my check? A. Your check should arrive within 6 8 weeks of the date on which you receive a letter stating that you are entitled to an award. You can check the status of your application at any time using the automated assistant or by visiting the Programs website: Q. Is this benefit taxable? A. Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program payments are exempt from all state taxation. However, Federal taxation may apply. Please consult with a Tax professional for any federal taxation questions. Q. Can I receive my benefit via direct deposit? A. Direct Deposit is not available at this time. All payments will be mailed in the form of a check and will arrive via the US Postal Service within 6-8 weeks of application approval. 21

25 Section 7 Application Forms T his section includes copies of the forms needed to apply for benefits. Included are the short and and long application forms and the designation of beneficiary form. 22

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Table A-4 Population by County: Pennsylvania, 1990 and 1999

Table A-4 Population by County: Pennsylvania, 1990 and 1999 1999 1990 Percent 1999 1990 Percent Estimated Enumerated Change Estimated Enumerated Change County Population Population 1990-1999 County Population