Complete "Authority to operate" (ATO) for Veteran Service History and Eligibility API

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We implemented use of the Veteran Confirmation API in November 2023. See #1691 for details. While this API supports checks for Title 38 status, another API from the Veterans Administration—the Veteran Service History and Eligibility API—provides much more robust options for determining transit benefit eligibility, including the rider's disability status as a Veteran.

CDT applied for production access to this API early in 2024. This issue will track and capture official approval so all teams know when contracting is complete and the functionality is available to agencies using the Benefits app.

cc// @jarrettkrumrei @johnatstate anirban sen @thekaveman @srhhnry

Acceptance Criteria

• CDT has submitted application to the VA requesting production access to the VSHE API.
• CDT/Cal-ITP teams have completed the design and dev work to do a demonstration of how Benefits will utilize the API (in the Benefits dev environment).
• CDT has scheduled a date to demo the Benefits implementation to the VA.
• CDT/Cal-ITP teams have completed product demo for the VA.
• CDT has completed the contracting process with the VA.
• CDT has notified the Cal-ITP Benefits team contracting is complete.
• Cal-ITP team has deployed updates to the Veteran enrollment pathway to the Benefits test environment.
• Cal-ITP team has released updates to the Veteran enrollment pathway to production so enhanced eligibility checks are available to any agency using Benefits.

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 8/21, CDT reported that the VA continues to proactively reach out on a periodic basis to confirm they are reviewing our request for access, but still no meaningful progress toward a next step.

We have communicated to the VA that we would like to launch enhancements to Veteran eligibility checks by Veterans Day (November 11, 2024).

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 8/26, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

[thekaveman]

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/9, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/16, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

If we are aiming to have enhanced eligibility checks for Veterans available by Veterans Day in November, we need to think about escalating our request soon. Prior to escalating we need, we need more clarity on the scope of our ask. I will be refining the enhancements to our policy for Veterans in preparation.

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/23, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/30, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

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At our weekly check-in on Monday, 11/04, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

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At our weekly check-in on Tuesday, 11/12, CDT reported there was no update from the VA on contracting.

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At our weekly check-in on Tuesday, 11/18, CDT received an email during our meeting that providing instructions to “begin the onboarding process” for the API. We're not sure what this means yet, but it's a glimmer of hope that we are making progress in our effort to get authority to operate.