Will Claims Stop?

[JayBrown1]

Will they stop working claims and appeals with this shut down?

[free_spirit_etc]

Thanks for the update Harleyman.

[Josephine]

I was told today that only Appeals Department and BVA are not workiing and that all claims are being processed as ususal.

If you .have a claim in process it should not be delayed.

Source came from a DRO.

[free_spirit_etc]

"all claims are being processed as usual."

That is disappointing. I was hoping they would process them better than usual....

[harleyman]

You'll probably see a marked increase in completed claims as the "management personnel" will be furloughed. That means the people who really work on claims can get some work done. Yea! No more disruptive emails and some peace and quiet. VA should be able to be very productive for a little while anyway! lol

Edited October 5, 2013 by harleyman

[carlie]

The employees that remain working but not do not know when they will be paid

sounds kind of like veterans with legit claims in for years -

that do not know when they will be paid.

I wonder if the employees will get paid interest when they do finally get their paychecks : - )

[harleyman]

No interest and what is really the kicker is......

it sounds like Congress is in favor of paying full pay to those employees that are furloughed when the budget is finally passed. So this means those employees who ARE CONSIDERED ESENTIAL MUST report to work and are not sure when they may be paid, but they will be at work.

and THOSE WHO ARE FURLOUGHED must NOT report to work, but WILL get paid for NOT working. A PAID VACATION

Now at the RO where I work most of the people being furloughed are upper management, GS13 to GS 15. If you look at the OPM for pay for these GS workers most of which are non-bargaining employees they are making upwards of $80,000.00 to $150,000.000 per year. Most of the employees being essential are those that work the claim so they are the file clerks, VSR, RVSRs, some Coaches GS 4 to GS 12 mostly. Those not working are assistant veteran service center managers, public contact (IPC) many who are GS13 and up, QR team which are GS 13 and up, ....so you get the idea.

I would like for someone to explain why some who don't work get paid the same as those who are actually working. This is just assinine, to say the least. If they are non-essential then they should not be working period and we should just cut them from the Department all together. Why are tax payers paying for non-essential employees in the first place. I lay you ODDS the claims production will go up while these upper management types are on their paid vacation. What a farce. -IMO

Edited October 6, 2013 by harleyman