New Orleans VA regional office opens in Gretna.

Veterans and their survivors in the New Orleans area will have easier access to the many financial benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs with the opening of a temporary regional benefits office in Gretna, La.

The temporary facility, located at 671-A Whitney Avenue (Building A), offers the same services that had been provided at the New Orleans Regional Office, which remains closed because of Hurricane Katrina. VA officials are still studying options for reopening the permanent regional office.

Disabled veterans participating in VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program will also be served through the Gretna office, as well as through VA's office in Shreveport.

Payment of VA benefits to veterans and other beneficiaries in the disaster areas have continued without interruption in spite of the hurricane damage. VA has provided replacement checks for VA beneficiaries unable to receive their regular monthly payments due to lack of a permanent address or access to their financial institutions.