What must VBA employees do to determine if a Veteran is homeless?

To determine if a Veteran is homeless, checking VA records and contacting the closest Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is crucial. This approach leverages existing governmental and organizational resources that track and provide services to Veterans, including those who may be experiencing homelessness.

VA records can offer comprehensive information about a Veteran's service history, previous claims, and eligibility for various benefits and services. Additionally, VAMCs often have outreach programs specifically aimed at assisting homeless Veterans and possess local knowledge about housing resources, shelters, and available services.

Utilizing VA records and engaging with VAMCs is an efficient and effective strategy, ensuring that the determination of homelessness is based on verified data and immediate community resources that are designed to support Veterans in need. This approach aligns with the VA's mission to provide care and assistance to Veterans, especially those facing homelessness.

In contrast, while local shelters may provide useful information, they may not have complete or updated records on each Veteran. Searching the National Database of Veterans could lead to irrelevant information as it doesn't focus specifically on homelessness. Reviewing only recent claims limits the scope of understanding the Veteran's current situation, since homelessness can persist irrespective of their recent claims activity.