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                         Programaccount Administrative expenses 

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Appropriations, 2002             $1,000                 $64,000 

Budget estimate, 2003             1,000                  70,000 

Committee recommendation          1,000                  70,000 

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation covers the cost of direct loans for eligible dependents and, in addition, it includes administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program. The administrative funds may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for the general operating expenses to cover the common overhead expenses.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,000 for funding subsidy program costs and $70,000 for administrative expenses. The administrative expenses may be transferred to and merged with the `General operating expenses' account. Bill language is included limiting program direct loans to $3,400.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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                         Programaccount Administrative expenses 

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Appropriations, 2002            $72,000                $274,000 

Budget estimate, 2003            55,000                 289,000 

Committee recommendation         55,000                 289,000 

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation covers the funding subsidy cost of direct loans for vocational rehabilitation of eligible veterans and, in addition, it includes administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program. Loans of up to $896 (based on indexed chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate) are available to service-connected disabled veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation programs as provided under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 when the veteran is temporarily in need of additional assistance. Repayment is made in 10 monthly installments, without interest, through deductions from future payments of compensation, pension, subsistence allowance, educational assistance allowance, or retirement pay.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends the requested $55,000 for program costs and $289,000 for administrative expenses for the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program account. The administrative expenses may be transferred to and merged with the `General operating expenses' account. Bill language is included limiting program direct loans to $3,626,000. It is estimated that VA will make 5,300 loans in fiscal year 2003, with an average amount of $684.

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

	Administrative
	expenses
Appropriations, 2002	$544,000
Budget estimate, 2003	558,000
Committee recommendation	558,000

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program will test the feasibility of enabling VA to make direct home loans to native American veterans who live on U.S. trust lands. It is a pilot program that began in 1993 and expires on December 31, 2005. Subsidy amounts necessary to support this program were appropriated in fiscal year 1993.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends the budget estimate of $558,000 for administrative expenses associated with this program in fiscal year 2003. These funds may be transferred to the `General operating expenses' account.

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