Dear Veteran Leaders,

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration’s, Education Service is reallocating the resources of its St. Louis Regional Processing Office (RPO) and redistributing its workload to the Buffalo RPO. This transition will not impact GI Bill students or the educational institutions they attend.

No action is required from the Veteran or dependent using his or her education benefits. Educational institutions will continue to submit enrollment certifications and changes to enrollment to VA. The only change will be the office where the claim is processed. No disruption in service is expected to take place as a result of these changes.

The transition to two offices (Muskogee and Buffalo) processing education claims will improve timeliness, quality, service and operational efficiency for GI Bill students and stakeholders. All impacted St. Louis RPO staff will be given the opportunity to seek employment with the Veteran Service Center in St. Louis or continue with Education Service in Buffalo or Muskogee. There is no impact to the overall FTE levels within education claims processing only a jurisdictional change. This transition will also enhance benefit administration and the beneficiary experience for those with and seeking disability claims as additional staffing resources will shift to the St. Louis Veterans Service Center.

St. Louis RPO workload will begin to transition to the Buffalo RPO in the coming months through a phased approach. By October 1, 2020, the St. Louis RPO will no longer support Education claims processing and all staff will have transitioned. In the interim, Education Service will provide updates as necessary to students, schools and stakeholders.

If you are aware of any GI Bill Beneficiaries who require assistance, please have them contact the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday to speak with a representative.

Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D.

Under Secretary for Benefits

For more information:

Michael (Mike) Stoddard

VBA Veteran Organization Liaison

Under Secretary for Benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs

Email: michael.stoddard2@va.gov

Office Phone: 202-461-9079

Mobile: (202) 891-9168