Federal Daily - October 14, 2008
VA: Federal Workers to Implement IT Aspects of New GI Bill
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Oct. 10 that it was rejecting all private bids and instead will use VA workers to set up information technology (IT) programs needed to implement the educational benefits of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. VA said it felt it did not receive enough proposals from qualified private-sector contractors to create the IT program. At no time did VA consider contracting out responsibility for actually administering the Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance, VA said. “Many private contractors were apparently reluctant to offer proposals because of external misconceptions as to the scope of the work involved,” said VA Secretary James Peake. “While it is unfortunate that we will not have technical expertise from the private sector, the VA can and will deliver the benefits program on time.” The Post-9/11 GI Bill will provide educational assistance to veterans, military servicemembers, reservists and National Guard members who have served since Sept. 11, 2001. Under the law, the new benefits are scheduled to start on Aug. 1, 2009. To see more, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1593.
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AFGE: New SSA Claims System Not Secure, Confusing
A new Social Security Administration (SSA) claims system—in which applicants make their initial claim via the Internet—is confusing and not as secure as when applicants had to first contact an SSA claims representative, said the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). The new iClaims and Ready Retirement initiatives, designed to streamline the SSA application process, is instead slowing things down, AFGE said in an Oct. 10 statement. Elements of the new directives are causing problems for SSA and applicants alike. Without the initial participation of claims representatives, the new system doesn’t have enough security to prevent fraud, AFGE said. For example, with the new iClaims service, anyone (such as an ex-spouse) who knows an applicant’s personal information can file for benefits without the applicant’s knowledge. And with the new system, SSA employees no longer are able to advise applicants when they have chosen a disadvantageous month to begin benefits, AFGE said. The union pointed out that SSA employees receive four months of in-depth training on the law, policy and procedures to ensure claims are taken and paid correctly. On average, it takes a claims representative three years to become proficient, AFGE said. “Without an SSA employee adjudicating the claims, we run the risk of fraud and incorrect claims being filed,” said AFGE Council 220 President Witold Skwierczynski. “It’s not only people who are filling out fraudulent applications, but applicants who just don’t understand the confusing iClaims process.” To see more, go to: www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=898.
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Magazine Ranks USPS Among Top Entities for Diversity
Hispanic Business magazine has once again named the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to its annual Diversity Elite 60 List, making USPS the only federal entity to make the 2008 list, USPS said Oct. 10. USPS also made the list last year. The list cited the agency as one of the best companies for Hispanics determined by about 30 variables, such as a firm’s commitment to Hispanic hiring, promotion and philanthropy. “A diverse workforce enables us to serve the needs of our increasingly diverse customer base,” said Susan LaChance, vice president of Employee Development and Diversity at the Postal Service. “We try our best to build a corporate culture that is inclusive.” To see more, go to: www.usps.com/news
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