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VA U.S. Paralympics Monthly Assistance Allowance Program
To provide monthly assistance allowance to a Veteran with a disablity as authorized by Section 703 of the Veterans" Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 for qualifying athletes, wheter categorized as developing, elite, or national team athletes.
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
Program Specialist Michael F.
Welch, Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, 90 K Street, NE, 7th Floor, Room 707, Washington, D.C.
20002; Phone 202-632-7136; e-mail: vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2012: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2013: N/A. Fiscal Year 2014: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
Sections 701, 702 and 703 of the Veterans" Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-389) established support for the assistance through a congressionally mandated earmark to the United States Olympic Committee, Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program.
The grant program provides funding to private non-profit organizations that support the goal of increasing the participation of disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in sports.
Section 703 identified the monthly assistance allowance was -(1) Subject to the availability of appropriation for such purpose, the Secretary may provide a monthly assistance allowance to a Veteran with a disability invited by United States Paralympics, Inc., to compete for a slot on, or selected for, the Paralympic Team for any month which the Veteran is training or competing in any event sanction by the United States Paralympics, Inc., or who is residing at a United States Paralympics, Inc., training center.
(2) The amount of monthly assistance payable to a Veteran under (1) shall be equal to the montly amount of subsistence allowance that would be payable to the Veteran under chapter 31 of this title if the Veteran were eligible for an entitled to rehabilitation under such chapter.
(3) In providing assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
(4) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013.
Limitations on the use of administrative expenses are described in 38 U.S.C.
Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, Section 521A d (4) and (5).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
To receive an allowance, a disabled Veteran must submit a complete application, as well as established training and competition plancs and is responsible for turning in monthly and quarterly reports in order to continue receiving the monthly assitance allowance.
The disablity of the Veteran may be service-connected or non-service-connected if the veteran meets the minimum military standard or higher in his or her respective sport at a recognized competition levle.
Beneficiary Eligibility
To receive an allowance, a Veteran must submit a complete application identifying any dependents upon which a higher payable rate of allowance may be based; and the USP must provide certification of the Veteran"s participation in training or competition sponsored by the USP or the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), or residence at a USP training center, for a period for which payment is requested. The certification must specify whether the payment is due for training, competition, or residence, and the dates of the training, competition, or residence for which payment is due.
Credentials/Documentation
Proof of the ability to perform the required level of Paralympic sport activity and compliance with military and higher standards are required. Military, elite, and national team standards are established by either USP or the designated National Governing Body for each Paralympic sport. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Both the VA and USP publish the notice of fund availability for the U.S. Paralympics Montly Assitance Allowance Program through multiple media forms, soliciting applications for the allowance program and information on applications for requesting eligibility to receive the allowance. All applications are handled on an individual disabled Veteran applicant basis.
Forms furnished by VA must be used for this program. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing open basis with award decisions on a monthly basis consistent with applicants meeting award requirements and availabilty of funds.
Award Procedures
Formal approval of the award of the U.S. Paralympics montly assistance allowance is made by first submitting required verification of qualifications and supporting data to USP. The USP manages the application and ongoing verification of the monthly assistance allowance for Veterans in connection with USP monthly assistance allowance program. The USP submits qualification and rate documentation to the VA for verification and award on a monthly basis.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Section 703, Public Law 110-389, 38 U.S.C 521A.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 15 to 30 days.
Appeals
The overarching grant and monthly allowance programs under P.L. 110-389 are a congressionally mandated earmark to the United States Olympic Committee, Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Progra, and subject to compliance with accompanying guidelines. The USP and VA manage the monthly assitance allowance program in compliance with program directives.
Renewals
The overarching grant is dependent upon renewal through the authorization process. Subject to the availability of funds, the montly assistance allowance may be renewed. Allowance recipients are required to submit a renewal training program verification and allowance application within the time frame established in appropriate verification and award cycle.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Length-of-time limitations are established in accordance with the Veterans" Benefits Improvements Act of 2008, section 703. Allowance recipients will receive payments electronically through the VA Administrative and Loan Accounting Center (ALAC). See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Allowance recipients will receive payments electronically through the VA Administrative and Loan Accounting Center (ALAC).
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Monthly qualification and training reports are required.
Expenditure reports are not applicable.
Performance monitoring is not applicable.
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
No Data Available.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-4155-0-1-421.
Obigations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 11 $2,000,000; FY 12 est $2,000,000; and FY 13 est $2,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The monthly allowance based for an athlete approved for monetary assistance ranges from $554.22 up to $1,046.33 per month, depending on the number of dependents.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 521A, Assitance for United States Paralympic Inc.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Program Specialist Michael F. Welch, Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, 90 K Street, NE, 7th Floor, Room 707, Washington, D.C. 20002; Phone 202-632-7136; e-mail: vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov.
Headquarters Office
Micheal F. Welch 90 K Street, NE; Room 707, Washington, District of Columbia 20002 Email: vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov Phone: 202-632-7136
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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