VA statement regarding grants, loans and other financial assistance programs

Following an abrupt halt on federal grants and loans announced on January 27 by the Trump administration, there has been widespread confusion across the government, Congress, state programs and nonprofit organizations that rely on that funding.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a vague two-page memo to all federal agencies directing them to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance" that could conflict with President Donald Trump's agenda.

While the technicalities are worked out, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on January 28 issued a statement regarding the temporary pause of certain agency grant, loan and financial assistance programs, after conducting a comprehensive analysis of all its federal financial assistance programs and consulted with OMB.

The VA determined that all 44 of its financial assistance programs will continue uninterrupted and that all VA programs and operations will continue uninterrupted.

“This will have no impact on VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries,” said Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter.