Rep. Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia tells FOX 29 there are 875,000 veterans who have waited more than four months to get the benefits they deserve from Veteran's Affairs.
Fattah, a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, who has a Veterans Affairs claim center and hospital in his district, says "this has been a decades-old problem for hundreds of thousands of veterans."
Fattah, in an interview with FOX 29 last week, listed a number of reasons for the long wait for benefits.
He said "not only is Veterans Affairs largely paperwork dependent, its computers often have different operating and software systems." Fattah also said there are walls of paper files still to be entered into VA computers.
Fattah argues the Congress and the Obama Administration are working on the problems. He says 17 billion in additional funding has been provided to the VA and more case workers have been added. He says there is a new effort underway to get some of the old records on computers, and it seems to be working well.
The Congressman still sees a number of challenges for Veterans Affairs.
He says case workers carry about a 400 case workload. He is concerned that the files of older veterans are sometimes lost causing their cases to drag on for years.
FOX 29's Claudia Gomez had been reporting recently on veterans from wars long past who have had to fight another battle to get the benefits they believe they deserve.
Friday, June 7 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-06-08 03:24:19 GMT
In the days after the building collapse that killed six people and injured more than a dozen in Center City, officials are shedding light on some things that happened before the disaster.
In the days after the building collapse that killed six people and injured more than a dozen in Center City, officials are shedding light on some things that happened before the disaster. And they're promising to make sure they don't happen again.
Thursday, June 6 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-06-07 03:07:14 GMT
A top, local school official voluntarily resigns after a district investigation. FOX 29 Investigates broke the story. Find out how much it cost taxpayers.
A top, local school official voluntarily resigns after a district investigation. FOX 29 Investigates broke the story. Find out how much it cost taxpayers.
Thursday, June 6 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-06-06 23:58:23 GMT
FOX 29 wants to know who applied for the permits to tear down that building, and who was checking up on this job? Investigative Reporter Jeff Cole is working to get us answers.
FOX 29 wants to know who applied for the permits to tear down that building, and who was checking up on this job? Investigative Reporter Jeff Cole is working to get us answers.
Tuesday, May 28 2013 11:19 AM EDT2013-05-28 15:19:52 GMT
A local elected official hits the gas again when FOX 29 Investigates' Jeff Cole tries to ask him a few questions about why a ghost worker was on his staff.
A local elected official hits the gas again when FOX 29 Investigates' Jeff Cole tries to ask him a few questions about why a ghost worker was on his staff.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:50:29 GMT
The Camden County Police Department has released the photos of two missing jueveniles hoping that someone will recongize them and know thier whereabouts. The following information is directly from a
The Camden County Police Department has released the photos of two missing jueveniles hoping that someone will recongize them and know thier whereabouts. The following information is directly from a
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:52:58 GMT
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:36 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:36:01 GMT
Today is National Dine Out Day! Over 2,000 restaurants are participating and locally, the funds raise will go to support Hurricane Sandy victims and relief efforts. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Today is National Dine Out Day! Over 2,000 restaurants are participating and locally, the funds raise will go to support Hurricane Sandy victims and relief efforts. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:47 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:47:57 GMT
Food Network Star is in it's 9th season and this time around, we have a Philly guy competing!Meet Ambler's Chad Rosenthal.He is a self-taught chef who started cooking at just 5-years old. This morning,
Food Network Star is in it's 9th season and this time around, we have a Philly guy competing!Meet Ambler's Chad Rosenthal.He is a self-taught chef who started cooking at just 5-years old. This morning,
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:22:31 GMT
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:44:27 GMT
An admitted father and son pimp team has been acquitted of sex trafficking. A judge delivered the verdict Wednesday at the trial of George Vincent Sr. and his son, George Vincent Jr.
An admitted father and son pimp team has been acquitted of sex trafficking. A judge delivered the verdict Wednesday at the trial of George Vincent Sr. and his son, George Vincent Jr.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:38 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:38:47 GMT
Last year, Fox 29's Sheinelle Jones gave birth to beautiful twins. As a result of carrying those sweet babies, she developed a ventral hernia.After much thought, research and interviewing, Sheinelle decided
Last year, Fox 29's Sheinelle Jones gave birth to beautiful twins. As a result of carrying those sweet babies, she developed a ventral hernia.After much thought, research and interviewing, Sheinelle decided
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:19 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:19:02 GMT
The Rolling Stones rocked Philly last night and out Mike Jerrick was there - front and center!Mick Jagger sauntered (as only Mick can) right past Mike and we have the footage.So, how was Mike's first Stones
The Rolling Stones rocked Philly last night and our Mike Jerrick was there - front and center!Mick Jagger sauntered (as only Mick can) right past Mike and we have the footage.So, how was Mike's first Stones
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:15 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:15:45 GMT
AP PHOTO
Pope Francis has given a 17-year-old boy with Down Syndrome the ride of his life -- sort of. Francis invited Alberto di Tullio up onto his open-top Mercedes at the end of his general audience Wednesday,
Pope Francis has given a 17-year-old boy with Down Syndrome the ride of his life -- sort of. Francis invited Alberto di Tullio up onto his open-top Mercedes at the end of his general audience Wednesday,
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:38:35 GMT
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
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