Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits
Encyclopedia
The Under Secretary for Benefits, in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
, directs the Veterans Benefits Administration
through regional offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The Under Secretary is responsible for the administration of benefits provided by the Department to veterans and dependents, including compensation, pension, education, home loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, and life insurance. The incumbent Under Secretary is Allison A. Hickey, who was sworn in on June 6, 2011.
The Under Secretary is appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate
. The occupant of the position is required to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of his or her demonstrated ability in fiscal management and the administration of programs within the Veterans Benefits Administration or programs of similar content and scope. The Under Secretary is appointed for terms of four years, and reappointment is possible for successive periods. The President is required to communicate his reasons to Congress
if the Under Secretary for Benefits is removed from office. Whenever there is a vacancy in the position, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must set up a commission to recommend to the President candidates for appointment.
The Veterans Benefits Administration has been in existence since the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs
in October 1988, when it was led by a Chief Benefits Director. In 1994, the title was changed to Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
, directs the Veterans Benefits Administration
Veterans Benefits Administration
The Veterans Benefits Administration is "an organizational element of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs". The Veterans Benefits Administration is responsible for administering the Department’s programs that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Veterans, their dependents, and...
through regional offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The Under Secretary is responsible for the administration of benefits provided by the Department to veterans and dependents, including compensation, pension, education, home loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, and life insurance. The incumbent Under Secretary is Allison A. Hickey, who was sworn in on June 6, 2011.
The Under Secretary is appointed by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. The occupant of the position is required to be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of his or her demonstrated ability in fiscal management and the administration of programs within the Veterans Benefits Administration or programs of similar content and scope. The Under Secretary is appointed for terms of four years, and reappointment is possible for successive periods. The President is required to communicate his reasons to Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
if the Under Secretary for Benefits is removed from office. Whenever there is a vacancy in the position, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must set up a commission to recommend to the President candidates for appointment.
The Veterans Benefits Administration has been in existence since the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
in October 1988, when it was led by a Chief Benefits Director. In 1994, the title was changed to Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits.