Shutdown: Veterans Benefits Offices Closing

[TomCADem]

Source: WMAZ

Veterans regional offices will be closed and nobody will answer their phones beginning Tuesday morning as the government shutdown forces furloughs of 7,000 employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration.

"All public access to VBA regional offices and facilities will be suspended," said Veterans Affairs Department spokeswoman Victoria Dillon.

Walk-ins and phone calls to regional offices are common to get status reports on benefits and to seek help. The voluntary officers from veterans organizations who help file claims are located in many regional offices, so access to them could be restricted.

While phones won't be answered at regional offices, most toll-free numbers where veterans can get help with benefits remain open. One exception is the GI Bill call center, which is closed and won't reopen until the VA receives funding.


Read more: http://www.13wmaz.com/news/article/248947/28/Shutdown-Veterans-Benefits-Offices-Closing

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This won't stop the media from portraying Republicans as the pro-military party.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Oh crap

My husband works for an IT contractor for the VBA.
I've been unemployed for 5 years.

If he's furloughed, we're sunk.

[heaven05]

2. of course

the ones who answered the call, whether 'right' war/conflict or not, deemed non-essential. America, for me, has been a very sad place to live in since Nov. 22-63 all the way up till today and beyond. geez

[blkmusclmachine]

3. Remember this from the Tea Party/GOPee, 2012:

LET HIM DIE!

LET HIM DIE!

LET HIM DIE!

[sakabatou]

4. Augh!

[dotymed]

5. On the bright side.

The Congressional Gym facilities remain open.

Honestly, if this shutdown in no affects these monsters, they don't care. They have proven their lack of empathy.

[lanlady]

6. next up: U.S. embassies

I have close connections to the State Dept. They do not think there will be enough money to keep our embassies open if the shutdown continues.