DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME VETERANS.

SEC. 243. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME VETERANS.(a) Pilot Program Required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence carrying out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing payments authorized under subsection (a) of section 111 of title 38, United States Code, 48 hours in advance of travel to eligible appointments to veterans and other eligible individuals who are also eligible for a deduction waiver as provided by paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c) of such section. (b) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (c) Locations.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. (d) Report.—136 STAT. 5460 (1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (2) Contents.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:(A) The number of individuals who benefitted from the pilot program broken, disaggregated by geographic location, race or ethnicity, age, disability rating, and sex. (B) Average distance traveled by participants to appointments and average funds provided per appointment, disaggregated by geographic region. (C) A description of any impediments to carrying out the pilot program. (D) An account of payments provided for travel that did not occur or was authorized incorrectly. (E) An account of any attempts to retrieve such payment. (F) Recommendations of the Secretary for legislative or administrative action to reduce improper payments. (G) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of providing payments as described in subsection (a).