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handle is hein.crs/govehoh0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Updated August 17, 2021 Special Authorities for Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs During the COVID-19 Emergency On January 31, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (COVID-19 emergency) under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §247d). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veterans' educational as sistance beneficiaries raised concerns that abrupt disruptions to programs of education, educational institutions, and employment could negatively impact the short-termfinances of beneficiaries and their continued pursuit of educational programs. In response, special authorities were enacted, and amended, by P.L. 116-128 on March 21, 2020; the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-140) on April28, 2020; the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act(P.L 116-159) on October 1, 2020; and the Johnny Is akson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-315) on January 5, 2021. The authorities reduce the effect of such disruptions on beneficiaries by extending benefits or notreducing benefit levels during the covered period fromMarch 1, 2020, throughDecember21, 2021. Additionally, a VA administrative actionprovides temporary debt relief. After a brief introduction to veterans' educational as sis tance programs, this In Focus describes the special authorities and administrative action. Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs Veterans educational as sistanceprograms, including the GI Bills, provide benefits or services to eligible servicemembers and veterans and their family members, as applicable, to help such individuals pursue education or training. The GI Bills are entitlement programs that provide financial assistance while recipients are enrolled in approved programs of education, which include training programs. Other educational as sistance programs, including Work Study, either provide grant aid or help eligible individuals take advantage of the GI Bills. For a detailed description of the programs, see CRS Report R42785, Veterans' Educational Assistance Programs and Benefits: A Primer. The Veteran Readiness and Employment program(VR&E; formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) is an entitlement programthat provides job training and other employment-related services to veterans with service- connected disabilities. In many cases, VR&E provides educational as sistance. Fora detailed description of VR&E, see CRS Report RL34627, Veterans'Benefits: The Veteran Readiness and EmploymentProgram. Continued GI Bill Payments for Distance Learning Many programs of educationofferedin part or exclusively through distance learning may be approved for GI Bill purposes, but unaccredited programs and certificate programs that are not offered by a limited group of educational institutions cannot. P.L. 116-128, as amended by P.L. 116-159 and P.L. 116- 315, allows the VA to continue to provide GI Bill benefits during the covered period for courses at educational institutions and training establishments that are converted from approvedin -residence ourses to distance learning by reason of an emergency or health-related situation. P.L. 116-128, as amended by P.L. 116-159, furtherpermits the VA to pay the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing stipend at the higher in-residencerates for those converted courses throughout the s ame period. Without the special authority, Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries enrolled exclusivelyvia distance learning are eligible for no more than one -half the national averageofin-residence housing stipends. Reduced Entitlement Charge for Participants Unable to Pursue a Program of Education In general, the GI Bills provide eligible persons a 36-month (or its part-time equivalent) entitlementto educational assistance, while VR&E provides 48 months. Most GI Bill and VR&E payments reduce a beneficiary's available entitlement. However, entitlement is not charged for payments related to (1) an incomplete course or program for which the individualis unable to receive credit orlost training time as a result of an educational institution closing; (2) a neces sary but disapproved course or program if disapprovedby a subsequently established or modified policy, regulation, or law; and (3) the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance or VR&E subsistence allowance paid following either a permanent closure or such course dis approval. P.L. 116-140, as amended by P.L. 116-159 and P.L. 116- 315, requires that the VA not charge entitlement for an incomplete course or programif a beneficiary is unable to receive credit or lost training time under one of two conditions: (1) the temporary closure of an educational institution or training es tablishmentdueto an emergency htips:/icrsreports. congress ,go