WASHINGTON – To help severely wounded servicemembers get additional benefits from the state when they move from military hospitals to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities, VA is beginning a pilot project with Florida. The program will connect injured patients in that state with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) Seamless Transition Program.
The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, announced today that VA has accepted a proposal by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to share information on those veterans who want to be contacted about Florida state benefits.
“This is a promising extension of VA’s own transition assistance for those leaving military service,” said Nicholson. “If well received by Florida’s injured veterans, I hope we can partner with other states to make this long-term support possible for these most deserving veterans in other parts of the country.”
In the VA-Florida program, VA will provide an opportunity for injured veterans who are being treated in DoD medical facilities and are headed for VA treatment facilities after their discharge, to authorize contact by the FDVA. The state is committed to providing life-long follow-up aid to those veterans who need it and consent to be contacted.
Secretary Nicholson praised Gov. Bush and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs for their initiative in trying to help Florida’s veterans. FDVA assists veterans and armed services members and their dependents with a variety of benefits from Florida that are given without charge. Information on FDVA and benefits for Florida veterans can be found at www.FloridaVets.org.
