March 5, 2003
GovBenefits.gov Launches New Version of Web Portal; New Features and Increased Functionality Added to Government Benefits Site
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget, today announced the launch of a new version of the GovBenefits.gov portal, a website developed to serve citizens as a one-stop resource for government benefit eligibility information. This version of GovBenefits.gov adds significant new features and functionality to the site including:

Homepage Enhancements such as a new GovBenefits.gov logo and a "Last Updated" feature that lets users know when new information is added to the site.

New Partner Room with instructions about how to become a partner of GovBenefits.gov and downloadable presentations about the project.

New Spanish Page that provides an overview of the site. Plans are in place to provide a translation tool for the entire site to make it accessible to the Spanish speaking community.

New Press Room with general information about the project, links to press releases, biographies of the GovBenefits.gov management team, and a feedback form for press inquiries.

To view all of the new site features, visit: www.govbenefits.gov.

"GovBenefits.gov is dedicated to delivering value to all citizens," said Patrick Pizzella, assistant secretary for administration and management and chief information officer at the Department of Labor. "These enhancements to GovBenefits.gov are a direct response to citizen feedback we have received about the site."

This new release of GovBenefits.gov also includes the addition of new benefit programs, bringing the total number of programs on the site to 234, representing $1.3 trillion in annual benefit dollars.  New programs include those from the Departments of Treasury (Tax Counseling for the Elderly), Health and Human Services (Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center), Housing and Urban Development (Adjustable Rate Mortgages), State (American Council of Young Political Leaders), Veterans Affairs (Home-Based Primary Care), and Labor (Welfare to Work).

GovBenefits.gov is one of 24 key initiatives that comprise the President's E-Government Strategy, an integral part of President Bush's Management Agenda, which focuses on: creating a more accessible government, saving taxpayer dollars, and streamlining citizen-to-government transactions. GovBenefits.gov is the collaborative effort of 10 Federal agencies including: Departments of Labor (managing partner), Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, State, Veterans Affairs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Social Security Administration.

----- U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755.