eBenefits

1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense eBenefits Anthoneal Newman, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Counselor Benefits Assistance Service Department of Veterans Affairs

2. eBenefits Objectives • Provide eBenefits overview • How to obtain a Premium account • Introduce the new DoD Registration Wizard

3. eBenefits Overview • The eBenefits portal (www.ebenefits.va.gov) is a joint Department of Defense (DoD) and VA initiative that provides personalized self service capabilities and resources to service members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers. • Development of eBenefits was initiated in March of 2007 at the recommendation of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors (Dole/Shalala). • With quarterly releases, eBenefits continues to evolve as a “one-stop shop” for service members and Veterans.

4. eBenefits Importance • eBenefits combines DoD and VA applications and services to deliver personalized, proactive and transactional self service capabilities, thereby improving the customer experience. • eBenefits enables users to access personnel and health records information throughout their entire career without redundancy. • Through the implementation of mandatory eBenefits premium accounts for service members at accession in 2011, both Departments can seamlessly communicate the right benefits information at the right time throughout a service member’s career lifecycle.

5. eBenefits Self-Service: Key Features • eBenefits provides users with personalized, proactive and transactional self service capabilities, including the ability to: • Apply for benefits online • Obtain a Home Loan COE • Access and retrieve Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) • Review payment history • Review claims and appeals status • Generate self service benefits letters • Search for and select an accredited representative • Access eBenefits information from a mobile device • Apply for or Modify Dependency • Ch. 33 Education Enrollment

6. eBenefits Beyond the Desktop • eBenefits self service is available from mobile devices (https://m.eBenefits.va.gov) • The mobile Find a Facility feature locates VA and DOD facilities using the smart device’s GPS location – it also provides users with the option to map directions or call a facility. • The mobile C&P Claims Status feature provides access to claims information consistent with status details available in the My eBenefits Dashboard. • The mobile VA Payment History feature allows users to monitor their Compensation and Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation benefits payments. • The mobile Appeals Status feature allows users to view the status of their appeals. • The mobile application is optimized for the Apple iPhone, Motorola: Droid , CLIQ; HTC: Dream, Magic, Hero, Droid Eris; Samsung.

7. eBenefits Registration Overview: DS Logon Credential • How do I access eBenefits Self-Service features? • eBenefits self-service capabilities are made possible by the use of DoD’s Self-Service Logon (DS Logon) credential • The DS Logon is leveraged by eBenefits and several other VA and DoD projects to provide identity authentication. Services leveraging this credential include: • eBenefits, myDoDbenefits, TRICARE Online, & DEERS • There are two credential levels: Basic (Level 1) and Premium (Level 2)

8. eBenefits Registration Overview: DS Logon Credential cont. • The DS Access Station is a web-based application used to request Premium DS Logons for Veterans • DoD’s Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) manages the DS Logon and the DS Access Station • To obtain a DS Logon, users must: • Be registered in DEERS (Pre-DEERS members are allowed) • Follow strict password guidelines • And be identity-proofed if accessing PII/HIPAA information (Level 2)

9. eBenefits Registration Overview: Basic vs. Premium • How is a DS Logon Level 1 (Basic) different than a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) credential? • A DS Logon Level 1 or“eBenefits Basic Account”,is obtained via self-registration in eBenefits and provides limited access to integrated self-service features. • Only requires that user be registered in DEERS • Provides limited access to eBenefits features • No access to personally-identifiable information (PII) Note: Creating a Basic account prior to upgrading to a Premium account allows the user to have instant access.

10. eBenefits Registration Overview: Basic vs. Premium cont. • A DS Logon Level 2 credential, also referred to as an “eBenefits Premium Account”, requires another level of validation and assurance as it enables eBenefits users access to PII and information protected by the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). • Requires identity verification (online, by phone, or in-person) • Provides unlimited access to eBenefits features • Allows users to access PII through VA and DoD applications and services Note: Creating a Premium account without having a Basic will require the Veteran to receive an activation code from DoD within 6-12 days at their mailing address on record.

11. eBenefits Registration Overview: Obtain a Premium Account • Who qualifies for a DS Logon Level 2 Credential (eBenefits Premium Account)? • Individuals who are registered in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and • If not registered, an email requesting registration will be sent to the OIT mailbox at Central Office • Provide sufficient identifying information to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63 recommendations for electronic authentication over the Internet • NIST further details security policies for remote authentication

12. eBenefits Registration Overview: Obtain a Premium Account cont. • Identifying information can be provided in-person or remotely: • In Person Proofing • VA & TRICARE regional offices • Expanding to additional locations (e.g. Mobile Vet Centers & VSOs) Note: In Person requires one primary ID (I.e. federal, state, or local issued photo ID) and a secondary ID (i.e. SSN, DD214, certified birth certificate). You cannot use two secondary IDs from the same source. • Remote Proofing • Registration Wizard • Telephone (must have direct deposit)

13. eBenefits Registration Overview: Obtain a Premium Account • Obtaining a DS Logon Level 2 Credential (eBenefits Premium Account): • Remote Proofing: • Military retirees can use their DFAS MyPay logon and password to self-authenticate and obtain their DS Logon online. • Servicemembers and Veterans holding DoD Common Access Cards (CAC) may use these cards to obtain a DS Logon online. • MyHealtheVet users can obtain level 2 DS Logon online through the Account Request Portal (ARP). • Veterans in receipt of monetary benefits from VA via direct deposit can obtain a DS Logon account via telephone (NIST 800-63 compliant).

14. eBenefits Registration Overview: Obtain a Premium Account • Overview of the Registration Wizard: • DoD online self-service application • Remote proofing uses a wizard (guides user through the process) • User must be in DEERS • User must create a Basic account • User must answer three personal questions correctly to confirm identity • User is upgraded to premium account

15. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Click Yes Service member can receive a premium account using CAC card.

16. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Click Register Click register and receive premium access immediately.

17. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Click Yes Mypay account holders can receive an instant premium account.

18. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Click Register Click register and receive premium access immediately.

19. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Basic Registration (Level 1) Click Register After clicking No to the DFAS myPay Account password, the Veteran will be directed to the Registration Wizard to register for a basic account. Click Register.

20. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Click Next The Veteran will begin the registration by completing the necessary information and clicking Next. Complete This Section

21. eBenefits: Registration Wizard Create Password Click Next The Veteran will move on to the next phase and will be required to Create Password. Once a password is created and confirmed, click Next. Note:The system will automatically provide a green check indicating passwords match and meet the minimum requirements. Enter and confirm Password

22. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. Veteran will be required to select at least 5 of the Challenge Questions provided. Select Challenge Questions Challenge Questions

23. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. The Activation Successful screen will display once the Veteran selects clicks Activate My Account. Their username will appear and the option to “Upgrade Account”. Activation Successful User Name Upgrade Account

24. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. If the Veteran decides to upgrade their account, they will complete the Remote Proofing process by clicking Proceed. Remote Proofing Click Proceed

25. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. The Veteran will have four (4) minutes to select the correct answers to the Remote Proofing Quiz. Once the Veteran has answered the questions, click Submit Note: If the user answers one question Incorrectly, an extra question may be asked. Click Submit

26. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. Once the answer are properly answered, the Veteran will see the “Congratulations, you have successfully answered the questions provided”. Click Continue Message Click Continue

27. eBenefits: Registration Wizard cont. The Veteran will be asked to log in again to begin using their Premium Account. Upgrade Successful Logoff

28. eBenefits: Questions??? Self-service at your fingertips.