In an effort to give servicemembers easier access to their benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) turned to the internet, and the move seems to have paid off. Their new web portal eBenefits saw 1.67 million vets and active duty soldier register for the online resource.
The site launched in 2009 and is already ahead of its goal of having 1.65 million registered members by the end of this fiscal year. The website offers a number of advantages. Chiefly, it offers veterans a one-stop location to check on the progress of claims they filed as well as a place to learn about benefits that may be available to them.
"We know that three out of four Veterans who use VA services want to connect online, so we must be there for them with the information they need," said Allison Hickey, the VA's undersecretary for benefits. "eBenefits is clearly becoming the platform of choice for veterans seeking access."
The website could prove useful in helping reduce the backlog in disability claims at the VA, something which has been a thorn in the side of the department over the last few years. In mid-June, there were approximately 875,000 pending cases, Federal Times reports.