A VA mobile app helps veterans manage and access benefits. Image: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffA posting on performance.gov highlights actions by five agencies to improve customer service by five agencies, including a mobile app from the VA that has been used by more than 900,000 veterans.
That app helps veterans “locate VA facilities, view or cancel their appointments, securely message their healthcare providers, view the status of their claims and appeals, view payments, and access veteran crisis services. The app allows veterans to sign in using Login.gov or ID.me, based on their preference for a government or private-sector option, along with their phone’s built-in security features – like print and face recognition,” it says.
“Moving forward, VA is working to expand its mobile app’s capabilities to include services like refilling medications, scheduling appointments, and managing debt,” it says.
The posting also highlighted:
* A partnership between SSA and a state government entity making it easier for newlyweds wishing to change their names to apply for an updated Social Security card. That is currently available in only five states but the SSA hopes to expand it “based on available state data and other resources.”
* A pilot project at TSA to reduce passenger waiting for DHS Trusted Travelers that compares a live image taken to photos that the passenger previously provided to the federal government, such as for a passport or visa for identification purposes.
* Agriculture’s launch of an online tool providing an interactive guide in plain language that explains each step of the farm loan application process, with plans to offer the ability to make payments on the loans online by late 2023.
* A redesign of the Medicare.gov homepage and key landing pages by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services which increased measured customer satisfaction from 56 percent to 72 percent and caused an increase in authenticated uses by returning users.
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