Monthly Allowance for Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Spina Bifida (64.127)

Program

64.127 Monthly Allowance for Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Spina Bifida

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Office: Veterans Benefits Administration

Authorization

38 U.S.C. 1805.

Program Number

64.127

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide financial assistance to certain children born with spina bifida who are children of individuals who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.

Uses and Use Restrictions

No restrictions.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Those children born with spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta, who are natural children of individuals who served in Vietnam, regardless of age or marital status, conceived after the date on which the individual first served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, without regard to the characterization of the individual's service.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Children born with spina bifida.

Credentials/Documentation

Birth certificate and military discharge certificate. Child must be born with spina bifida and be the natural child of an individual who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 2, 1962 through May 2, 1975.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

An application (VA Form 21-0304) may be obtained from a local or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog), and submitted to the regional office. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.

Award Procedure

Awards are authorized at the regional office.

Deadlines

None. Entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the application, but not before October 1, 1997.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 57 percent completed in 90 days or less.

Appeals

Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Not applicable.

Audits

None.

Records

None.

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2007, 1,163 children received benefits. The estimates for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are 1,165 and 1,167 respectively.

Financial Information

Account Identification

36-0102-0-1-701.

Obligations

(Direct Payments) FY 07 $18,254,000; FY 08 est $18,706,000; and FY 09 est $19,207,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Payments are $270, $930, or $1,586 monthly based on the degree of disability of the child.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

38 CFR 3.814. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4.

Related Programs

None.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.

Headquarters Office

Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-9700.

Web Site Address

http://www.va.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not applicable.