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VA program for handling vets' finances criticized

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Dave Lucas
Published December 10, 2012 at 11:52 PM EST

A federal program that's supposed to provide guardians to safely handle the finances mentally incompetent veterans is under fire after a critical audit. WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports

The federal Inspector General of the Veterans Affairs found last year that the program had "significant weaknesses" and needs to be changed. The program assigns relatives, friends and associates of veterans to oversee their finances when they no longer can.

Now Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is accusing the VA of "needless foot-dragging" to enact reforms.

Schumer says Monday the veterans are losing out to guardians who fail to protect them

He wants the VA to impose stricter qualifications for the VA fiduciaries, including background checks. He also wants the program better explained to veterans' families.

The VA didn't initially respond to a request for comment.

©2012 AP
New York News
Dave Lucas
Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
See stories by Dave Lucas