VA Spends Over $2.6 Billion in Georgia During 2008

According to fiscal year figures recently obtained from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Georgia veterans who qualified under federal law benefited in over $2.67 billion that the VA spent in Georgia during 2008.

“It represents an increase of some $420 million in VA funds over the previous year (2007),” pointed out Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler.

The total spent included some $1.39 billion in pension and compensation payments made to disabled veterans and/or their dependents.

“This is especially good news for those veterans living on fixed incomes because these payments are tax exempt,” said Commissioner Wheeler.”

VA also spent about $955 million in support of health care for Georgia veterans and about $196 million in education assistance.   

During 2008, about 200,000 Georgia veterans received health care through the VA’s Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics located in the state.  Currently, more than 175,000 veterans, surviving spouses and dependents receive tax free monetary benefits from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

As of September 2008, VA estimates Georgia’s veteran population at 769,567.

Commissioner Wheeler reminds Georgia veterans, “No VA benefit is paid automatically.  They all must be applied for and the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is available to assist with that application process.”

Locations of Department of Veterans Service offices may be found under state government in the local telephone directory or on the department’s web site at www.sdvs.georgia.gov.