This information was sent to us by:
Ernest โWayneโ Cox
Austin County Veteran Service Officer
979-865-6482 Office
979-551-2029 Cell
979-865-3783 Fax
As we are about to enter the spring time of 2025, I hope everyone has nothing but fair seas and following winds.ย Hopefully, here is some news that you can use.
Upcoming sign-in changes for veteran data
After March 4, 2025, Veterans wonโt be able to sign in to VA.gov, VA apps or other VA online services with a My HealtheVet user ID and password. After Sept. 30, 2025, Veterans wonโt be able to sign in with a DS Logon username and password. Veterans will have two sign-in account options: a Login.gov or ID.me account. Veterans can use their account to sign in to VA.gov, VA apps and any other VA online service they use to manage their VA benefits and care.
Simple and secure
VA is moving to a more modern, refined sign-in experience in 2025 to:
-Reduce the number of sign-in options Veterans need to choose fromโjust as Veterans have asked us to do. Over several years, Veterans have said that they want fewer account options. And they want to be able to use their chosen sign-in account to access all of their VA benefits and care.
-Continue to protect all Veteransโ information and benefits. Identity theft and related medical identity theft are serious issues that can cause severe financial hardship and disruption in medical care for Veterans and their families. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 1 million reports of identity theft. That same year, Veterans and military retirees also reported to the FTC $350 million in losses to fraud.
-Meet the latest federal standards for modern account security. VA is required by federal policy to help all Veterans begin using a sign-in account that meets modern security standards. VA is also required to simplify the sign-in experience for Veterans. Login.gov and ID.me help to meet both these requirements. Login.gov and ID.me also use multifactor authentication, an extra layer of protection to ensure that itโs the Veteran trying to use their sign-in account and not someone pretending to be them.โฏ
How to prepare
For Data Privacy Day and beyond, take action to secure your personal data. If you use DS Logon or the My HealtheVet user ID and password to sign in to My HealtheVet, youโll need to switch to using a Login.gov or ID.me account. With Login.gov or ID.me, youโll have access to all the same information and services you use today. For more information about how to make a Login.gov or ID.me account, go to the Creating an account for VA.gov page; for more information about online security, go to the How To Protect Your Identity and Your VA Benefits From Scammers page.
VA Secretary Doug Collins Message to Veterans ย
In a recent video message from his desk at VA Central Office, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins addressed media concerns that Veteransโ benefits might be targeted for cuts. โIโm the Secretary of VA, and Iโm telling you right now, thatโs not happeningโฆ the reality is, Veterans benefits arenโt getting cut,โ Collins said. โIn fact, we are actually giving and improving services.โ
He went on to emphasize that the Veterans Benefits Administration is clearing cases faster than ever and that VA remains mission-focused by doing what it is supposed to. Now, in his first full week on the job, Collins also addressed concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and rumors regarding access to Veteransโ personal information. He clarified that DOGE representatives at VA are reviewing contracts to ensure operations remain efficient and that resources are directed toward services for Veterans.
โIโm happy to partner with them to find things we need to get rid of so we can put the money where it belongsโฆ back with our Veterans,โ he said. Collins reinforced VAโs dedication to fulfilling its mission under President Trumpโs leadership and concluded his message with an assurance of ongoing transparency regarding developments at VA. Collins also reaffirmed the VAโs commitment to prioritizing Veterans.ย
โWeโre putting Veterans number one back at the VA,โ he said. He acknowledged that changes can generate friction, but emphasized that these reforms are aimed at strengthening VA services for Veterans. Among the rumors he challenged was the claim that VA health care would suffer. Collins categorically denied this, stating that the department has reinforced health care and benefits by safeguarding 300,000 mission-critical positions to ensure uninterrupted services.ย
Another rumor he addressed was that Veteransโ benefits were being cut. โTheyโre not,โ he said, explaining that VA had redirected nearly $98 million toward Veteransโ care and services rather than reducing them.
Finally, Collins addressed the rumor that VA was laying off Veterans Crisis Line responders.
โWe did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders,โ he stated firmly, assuring that those answering crisis calls remain in place to support Veterans in need. Collins concluded by urging Veterans to seek information directly from VA rather than relying on misinformation circulating in political discourse. โWhen you want the truth, come to me, not the Whopper line up on Capitol Hill.โ Veterans are encouraged to visit news.va.gov or contact their local VA offices.
Finally with the new change in administration at the VA, I will try to keep you up to date on all of the latest news.
Till next month REMEMBER WE VETERANS LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND AND WE ALWAYS COVER EACH OTHERS 6.ย
