Veterans: discharge upgrades.

Existing law provides certain benefits to veterans who have been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States, including burial benefits and financial assistance, relief, and support to indigent veterans. Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs and authorizes it to assist every veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States and the dependent or survivor of every veteran in presenting or pursuing any claim against the United States arising out of the veteran's military service. Existing law establishes a competitive grant program that is administered by the department for California veteran service providers to provide supportive services that improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. This bill would establish a grant program to be administered by the department that will fund service providers to educate veterans about discharge upgrades and help veterans file discharge upgrade applications. The bill would specify that funding for the grant program is subject to appropriation by the Legislature.