Pay & Benefits
VA proposes grant program offering vets legal services to help obtain benefits
The department’s goal is to assist former service members who were discharged under other than honorable conditions but could still be eligible for VA benefits.
Management
Trump still declining federal transition services even as second deadline passes
The delay has the potential to disrupt transition planning for both campaigns.
Pay & Benefits
New bill eyes uniformed services benefits for public health corps reservists
The proposed legislation would provide reservists in a Health and Human Services component with health, education and leave benefits that are similar to other service members.
News
How long will it take for Congress to act on emergency aid for Helene victims?
Some lawmakers are calling on Congress to return to D.C. to pass supplemental funding for Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts.
Sponsor Content
Embracing predictive data for enhanced population health
By shifting focus toward individualized risk assessments, healthcare organizations can unlock the potential for a more proactive and responsive approach to patient care.
Tech
Education Department begins testing of new FAFSA form
The first of four testing periods for the online federal student aid application began on Tuesday with six community-based organizations.
Oversight
Amid hiring surge, two VA agencies face employee background check deficiencies
The inspector general warned that shortcomings in the agencies’ background check programs were letting in unvetted staff.
Pay & Benefits
TSP continues upward trek for third straight month
Each portfolio within the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program saw modest gains in September.
Sponsor Content
How 6 government organizations use Slack as their productivity platform
Learn why these six government organizations across the United States trust Slack as their productivity platform.
Management
SBA’s inspector general will serve double duty in acting Social Security role
The appointment of Small Business Administration Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware to perform the same job at the Social Security Administration comes after embattled Inspector General Gail Ennis retired last summer.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
News
USDA wraps equity commission, vows to continue work
The department will likely have to contend with anti-DEI efforts as it pursues this goal.
News
The National Academy of Public Administration taps new leader
James-Christian B. Blockwood — a senior official at the Partnership for Public Service who has worked in the Government Accountability Office and the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs — will succeed outgoing president and CEO Terry Gerton.
Tech
VA officials say they can finish the digital GI Bill platform without more delays, cost overruns
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said the Department of Veterans Affairs is “batting zero” when it comes to finishing major IT modernization projects on time and within budget.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
OCT 01 CLOSE
$18.5595
$20.1510
$89.9128
$85.0979
$45.1457
DAILY CHANGE
0.0020
0.0597
-0.8434
-1.0066
-0.3282
THIS MONTH (%)
0.01
0.30
-0.93
-1.17
-0.72
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
OCT 01 CLOSE
$17.5953
$34.9530
$57.8024
$50.3644
$26.5968
DAILY CHANGE
-0.1560
-0.2480
-0.3575
-0.2600
-0.0558
THIS MONTH (%)
-0.88
-0.70
-0.61
-0.51
-0.21
FUND
OCT 01
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.5595
0.0020
0.01
F
$20.1510
0.0597
0.30
C
$89.9128
-0.8434
-0.93
S
$85.0979
-1.0066
-1.17
I
$45.1457
-0.3282
-0.72
L 2050
$34.9530
-0.2480
-0.70
L 2040
$57.8024
-0.3575
-0.61
L 2030
$50.3644
-0.2600
-0.51
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$26.5968
-0.0558
-0.21
Management
Federal agencies have deployed 3,600 employees in Helene response
Biden promises feds will stay as long as necessary, and FEMA says it may tap volunteers from other agencies to aid in response.
Oversight
OMB needs to provide public details on its plan to finish federal programs inventory, GAO says
Under a revised deadline, OMB has until January 2025 to complete an inventory of federal programs. But the agency hasn’t provided a timeline to meet such a target.
Workforce
Harris touts plan to bring on more border agents, but hiring is already lagging
The vice president is visiting the border to discuss ideas for the workforce that may be difficult to implement in practice.
News
States, tribes get $1.5B in federal grants to fight the opioid epidemic
The federal funds will support substance use prevention and treatment efforts, workforce capacity building and access to medications to reduce addiction.
Tech
VA offers veterans nationwide access to emergency telehealth care
The department said the new tele-emergency care resource will allow veterans to connect with clinical triage nurses for timely medical evaluations.
Workforce
House Dems reintroduce bill to expand VA health care employees’ union rights
The VA Employees Fairness Act would extend full federal collective bargaining rights to Title 38 health care workers at the Veterans Affairs Department, though its chances of passage are slim.
Oversight
36% of new IRS hires faced delays due to technical and security clearance jams
Despite hiring 64% of its new employees in fiscal 2022 and 2023 within its 80-day goal, it took the IRS an average of 124 days to employ roughly 19,000 personnel due, in part, to system limitations.
Oversight
Senators debate how to minimize the security risks of federal contractors working with China
Some agencies have blown past deadlines to implement certain requirements that address conflicts of interest in contracting while lawmakers weighed additional guardrails.
Pay & Benefits
Federal workers will see the largest increase to their health care premiums in recent memory next year
In a year where insurers have expanded coverage for multiple medical treatments, federal employees will see their Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums increase by an average of 13.5% in 2025.
Pay & Benefits
The best dates to retire in 2025
Your annual guide to choosing an optimal day to start the next phase of your life.
Management
USPS delays reforms and promises a smooth election-mail service
The Postal Service is vowing to deliver ballots promptly despite dips in service in many parts of the country.
Tech