Department of Veterans’ Services

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Agency Web Site: https://veterans.ny.gov/Link to External Website

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 2024 Executive Budget recommends $29.9 million in appropriations for DVS. This represents a $4.78 million net decrease from FY 2023 attributable to the expiration of $2.62 million in one-time legislative adds and $5 million in one-time nonprofit capital funding offset by increases of $1.1 million for the homeless veterans housing program, $500,000 increase for the veterans' Memorial Registry, $900,000 in new State Veterans’ Cemetery operations, $300,000 increase for the Mobile Veterans Benefit Advisor Clinics and $43,000 for union settlement agreements.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 110 full-time employees which remains unchanged from FY 2023.

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 2023		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2024		 Change From
FY 2023		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2024
State Operations 11,294,002 13,037,000 1,742,998 5,208,000
Aid To Localities 14,479,000 12,959,000 (1,520,000) 23,110,000
Capital Projects 9,000,000 4,000,000 (5,000,000) 9,000,000
Total 34,773,002 29,996,000 (4,777,002) 37,318,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2023
Estimated FTEs
03/31/23		 FY 2024
Estimated FTEs
03/31/24		 FTE Change
Administration
General Fund 3 3 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund 99 99 0
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 8 8 0
Total 110 110 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023		 Recommended
FY 2024		 Change
General Fund 8,250,452 9,083,000 832,548
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 2,143,550 3,054,000 910,450
Special Revenue Funds - Other 900,000 900,000 0
Total 11,294,002 13,037,000 1,742,998
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund (140,002)
Appropriated FY 2023 11,154,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023		 Recommended
FY 2024		 Change
Administration
General Fund 505,005 1,006,000 500,995
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 0 900,000 900,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 900,000 900,000 0
Veterans Education
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 2,143,550 2,154,000 10,450
Veterans' Benefits Advising
General Fund 7,745,447 8,077,000 331,553
Total 11,294,002 13,037,000 1,742,998

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 393,000 995 393,000 995
Veterans' Benefits Advising 7,368,000 31,553 7,345,000 31,553
Total 7,761,000 32,548 7,738,000 32,548
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)		 Holiday/Overtime Pay
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 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 613,000 500,000 10,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 709,000 300,000 63,000 0
Total 1,322,000 800,000 73,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 14,000 0 570,000 500,000
Veterans' Benefits Advising 104,000 0 102,000 0
Total 118,000 0 672,000 500,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration 19,000 0
Veterans' Benefits Advising 440,000 300,000
Total 459,000 300,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 1,800,000 900,000 0 0
Veterans Education 2,154,000 10,450 1,261,000 5,584
Total 3,954,000 910,450 1,261,000 5,584
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 1,800,000 900,000
Veterans Education 893,000 4,866
Total 2,693,000 904,866

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023		 Recommended
FY 2024		 Change
General Fund 13,979,000 11,359,000 (2,620,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 500,000 500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 0 1,100,000 1,100,000
Total 14,479,000 12,959,000 (1,520,000)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023		 Recommended
FY 2024		 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 6,600,000 3,980,000 (2,620,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 500,000 500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 0 1,100,000 1,100,000
Total 14,479,000 12,959,000 (1,520,000)

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program Available
FY 2023		 Recommended
FY 2024		 Change Reappropriations
FY 2024
Veteran's Nonprofit Capital Program
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 5,000,000 0 (5,000,000) 5,000,000
Veterans' Cemetery
Capital Projects Fund - Authority Bonds 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 2,000,000
Federal Capital Projects Fund 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 2,000,000
Total 9,000,000 4,000,000 (5,000,000) 9,000,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 02/01/2023

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