Feds at Work: Making online resources for veterans more user-friendly

Streamlined access to benefits and services through the Department of Veteran Affairs website

Marcella “Marcy” Jacobs. (Photo by Audrey Lew Photography)

Every day, veterans go online to obtain information, benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but often end up frustrated by a complicated tangle of websites, forms, logins, brands and outdated digital tools.

Agency leaders recognized the need to consolidate many of these online portals into one easy-to-use platform and to make the system more user-friendly, a process that began with the launch of Vets.gov in 2015. Marcy Jacobs became the leader of the VA Digital Service team in early 2017, and has added numerous features that enable veterans to more easily discover, apply for, track and manage many of the benefits and services they have earned.

“Previously a lot of service people would have to go from one site to another with multiple sign-ins and passwords, so it was hopeless to navigate and pretty clumsy,” said Chris Liddell, White House deputy chief of staff for policy coordination. “Vets.gov is becoming a one-stop shop.”

“It’s really the gold standard for how citizens interact with government agencies.” ~Scott Blackburn

Since its launch, more than 1.6 million veterans have logged into a Vets.gov account. That number is expected to grow substantially in the months ahead as the digital services team merges the platform with the department’s main information resource, VA.gov, which serves some five million visitors a month.

What makes Jacobs so successful is her “very quiet, but deep focus on the mission,” said Margaret Weichert, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget. “It’s not about glitzy tech, it’s about the end result for the veterans.”

The first iteration of Vets.gov had a simple login for those creating a personalized account, but one that veterans struggled to remember because they already had multiple accounts from various government websites. Under Jacobs’ leadership, the team made it possible for veterans to use their DOD login or their credentials for My HealtheVet, the site that allows veterans to schedule appointments online, refill prescriptions and view their health records.

The team also made it easier for veterans to download all their health records in a simple PDF or text file. Since the feature’s launch in July 2017, veterans have downloaded more than 37,000 records.

Jacobs is most proud of the team’s efforts to build transparency into confusing processes such as disability appeals, which can take years to adjudicate. The team developed a tracking system for veterans to check the status of their appeals, something that previously was very difficult to obtain.

The Vets.gov team also has assisted veterans who received a dishonorable discharge, including veterans affected by Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, or suffering from traumatic brain injuries or PTSD. The team built a simple tool that lets veterans answer up to nine questions and receive clear information that helps them file a stronger discharge upgrade application.

“We had some veterans who were super emotional during user testing,” Jacobs said, “That’s the type of stuff that is so meaningful and shows you that what you are building is so important and having such an impact.”

Changing the culture at VA has been crucial to the success of Jacobs and her team, according to Matthew Cutts, acting administrator at the U.S. Digital Service.

“Marcy realized the importance and value of stakeholder engagement, and has sought to collaborate with partners throughout the VA,” he said.

Jacobs and her team are now working on making it easier for veterans to conduct a range of additional online transactions, looking for ways to reach a greater number of veterans.

“Vets.gov is a trademark accomplishment,” said Scott Blackburn, VA’s former chief information officer, a veteran, and the first person to create an account on Vets.gov. “It’s really the gold standard for how citizens interact with government agencies.”

Marcy Jacobs and the VA Digital Service team are finalists for the 2018 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, which are presented annually by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service to honor unsung heroes in our federal government who have made important contributions to our nation’s health, safety and prosperity.

Help us share their stories on social media using #Sammies2018. Nominations for 2019 will open in September, so be on the lookout for inspiring federal employees you would like to recognize.

Partnership for Public Service

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The Partnership works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.

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