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VA to Pilot Innovative Remote Benefits Delivery Program
Pilot Program Serving Rural Vets to Start in Montana

FORT HARRISON, Mont. (March 12, 2008) -- Rural Montana veterans will now
have easier access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
information and assistance through an innovative, first-of-its-kind,
remote benefits delivery pilot program using video-conferencing
technology and staffing support.

"Access for these rural veterans is critical to helping them receive the
benefits they have earned through their service to this nation," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake, who recently returned
from visiting several Montana VA facilities with Sen. Jon Tester,
D-Mont.

This new video conferencing program, along with VA staff and Valley
Veterans Service Center (VVSC) volunteers, will provide face-to-face
assistance to veterans who don't live near the Fort Harrison VA regional
benefits office. Located in Hamilton, VVSC is a grass-roots
organization run by volunteers to assist veterans in Southwestern
Montana.

"Through the use of modern technology, VA wants to minimize the distance
veterans and their families in rural areas of Montana have to travel to
access their earned benefits," added Peake.

With the help of a trained volunteer, a veteran will be able to go to
the VVSC to conduct a videoconference with Ft Harrison VA regional
office staff to address any needed items regarding their benefits and
claims. VVSC will schedule appointments with veterans on Fridays during
normal business hours.

Last year, VA spent more than $312 million on behalf of the state's
100,000 veterans and their families. Approximately 16,000 veterans and
their families received disability compensation, pension and other
related VA benefits, totaling more than $154 million annually.

For more information about VA's benefits and programs, please go to
www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.

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