VBA is implementing the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. Signed into law March 11, the ARP ensures Veterans have continued access to quality health care and protections against COVID-19, as well as providing economic relief, eliminating claims backlogs, facilitating modernization to the supply chain system, and decreasing appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Helping Veterans through the pandemic

The pandemic and the corresponding economic crisis have had a tremendous impact on the health and economic wellbeing of millions of Veterans. Now, the American Rescue Plan will help America’s Veterans bounce back.

The $1.9 trillion coronavirus economic relief package for Americans allocates $17 billion in support of VA’s nationwide response to the pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan:

  • Provides $262 million to reduce the backlog of compensation and pension claims, which has grown from 76,000 in March 2020 to more than 212,000 in March 2021. The ARP funding will enable VBA to reduce the claims backlog to around 100,000 by September 2022.
  • Closes what is known as the “90/10 loophole” to protect the integrity of the GI Bill and Veterans in receipt of their well-earned educational benefits.
  • Provides $386 million to initiate a COVID–19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program that provides up to 12 months of training and employment assistance for certain unemployed Veterans to enter high demand occupations.
  • Assists communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, many of which are Veterans living in diverse communities across the country.

VBA is dedicated to ensuring that all Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and will ensure the proper resources are in place to meet the needs of our Veterans, their families and survivors.

Learn more about the American Rescue Plan.

To apply for VA benefits, visit VA.gov.


Shawn D. Graham is a public affairs specialist with VBA Outreach, Transition and Economic Development office.

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

9 Comments

  1. Sandra Clark May 14, 2021 at 01:12

    I have been fighting for my DIC payment since 2014.Same old story appeal after appeal.The BVA needs to own up that they clearly have made mistakes about my case and give me my DIC payment before I am homeless or dead.Fed up with their lies after all I have proof.that they in fact lies.

  2. Ricky willlims May 13, 2021 at 14:30

    But this American an it seem as if veteran was not in the rescue plan i heard some did even get stimulus check what the problem va help vets get the work done it take to long

  3. Steven dawson April 29, 2021 at 14:38

    The VA is a damn joke. I’m rated at 70%. I filed a claim on march 10th 2020. My claim hasnt moved from gathering evidence etc. since November 2020. Went to all my c&p exams, last one was in August 2020. Now QTC is saying I was a no show. I told the va that I have copies of the mileage reimbursement checks that QTC sent. I’m about to hire a lawyer……

  4. Hugh Gordon Ross April 28, 2021 at 04:23

    Judging by the comments, this post might not be well received.

    I have been dealing with the VA centers both in Seattle and Phoenix and the satellite offices of Globe/Miami Arizona and have always received spot-on attention, have been diagnosed (I believe) properly and could only get the 5-star stamp out to both the VA’s.

    One problem only, but still 5-star on all other accounts, was when I came in for a back surgery follow up at Seattle VA. They had a new visiting doctor (A contract doctor from the university). Upon walking into his office, the first words from his mouth were ‘If you want drugs, I’m not that kind of doctor’. I had NEVER asked for drugs before and had turned down some heavy downers previously – I don’t do well with relaxers. The doctor continued his tirade. I stood up, told him to SHUT UP and walked out. I went to the VA administrator very upset, told her about the encounter and re-scheduled for the next day I was so upset.

    The next day, that doctor was no longer with the VA, he got booted back to his own hell, I guess. The replacement doctor was courteous, patient, and suggested a few relaxers and I declined. It went well, I was given a new specific workout regime and all was good.

    So, hat’s off to the VA for all they do and I hope those that feel they are not being treated well get the best treatment they deserve as United States veterans. God Bless.

  5. Janie Jones April 27, 2021 at 15:10

    THE VA HAS REPLACED AMERICAN DOCTORS WITH FOREIGN DOCTORS AND GIVEN THEM A PATIENT QUOTA SYSTEM BY WHICH THEY GET PAID BY. THEY DON’T LISTEN TO THEIR PATIENTS NOR DO THEY ACTUALLY TREAT THE PROBLEMS PATIENTS COME TO THEM FOR. GETTING TREATMENT IS LIKE PULLING TEETH FROM A RAGING RHINO. I ALMOST ENDED UP CRIPPLED TRYING TO GET HELP FROM THE VA. I HAD TO GO OUTSIDE THE VA TO GET HELP THANKS TO KY MEDICARE INSURANCE. I ONLY DO THE VA MINIMALLY FOR CERTAIN MEDICATION. NOTHING SERIOUS.

  6. Kevin Martin April 27, 2021 at 08:02

    Total BS. Why wait for another 2 years to dig the VAs ass out of the never ending hole to resolve veterans claims. Vietnam Veterans are falling over dead like flies and the VA is waiting another mass infusion of cash to get the back claims dealth with. Ive been waiting since 2019 on a claim and have never heard a Peep.

    • Hugh Gordon Ross April 28, 2021 at 04:26

      You might want to prove this quota system comment … it might be fake news, but just prove your source and I’m good and all others are informed.

  7. Arnold H Fuller April 27, 2021 at 02:38

    When the Military left Vietnam, all records from all Services and Units were all on paper, and they were burned in place. Many Vets could not get a true copy, because of paper backlogs, and when they checked with the records departments, they had to find someone to verify, and it had to be within the time frame that no one knew about. Many are buried with out the accomplishments earned, committed on their grave stone. There were no zerox machines, so there was not a real easy way to get copies. Part of us have waited for 50 years, and still waiting. How about forwarding this to Secretary McDonough for review and immediate action. Thank You Arnold H Fuller Tcson AZ Vietnam 1968 and 1969, 101st Airborne, Camp Eagle
    A Co 5th Trans Bn,

  8. Michael Link April 26, 2021 at 18:08

    GOD HEIP THE REVOLVING DOORS OF THE VA OFFICES IN MOST HOSPITALS ! THEY ARE TURNING MUCH TOO FAST ! IT TAKES TIME LEARN HOW EACH MEDICAL CENTER’S MANAGEMENT NEEDS CAN BE MET ! ! !

Comments are closed.

More Stories