Thu Feb 20 13:20:00 UTC 2025: ## VA Hiring Freeze Cripples Veterans Crisis Line, Threatens Veteran Care

**Washington, D.C.** – A government-wide hiring freeze is severely impacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly its critical Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), according to multiple VA employees who spoke to Federal News Network under condition of anonymity. Despite exemptions for many frontline workers, the freeze is hindering the hiring of essential support staff, creating a crisis within a crisis.

The VCL, which fields approximately 60,000 calls monthly from veterans experiencing suicidal ideation, PTSD, homelessness, and other crises, is facing significant staffing shortages. The freeze has prevented the hiring of trainers, quality assurance staff (“silent monitors”), and social science assistants (SSAs) who facilitate welfare checks for veterans in immediate danger. This shortage is overwhelming existing staff and potentially jeopardizing the timely intervention needed to prevent suicides.

Erika Alexander, president of AFGE Local 518, representing VCL employees, described a “ripple effect,” where a lack of supervisors exacerbates the strain on existing responders. The inability to hire SSAs, who contact emergency services on behalf of responders, poses a significant risk to veterans in crisis. Similarly, Bryan Harper, president of AFGE Local 906, representing VCL employees in Eastern Kansas, stated that the hiring freeze has created a near-total halt in new hires, restricting veterans’ access to care.

Adding to the challenges, a recent government-wide return-to-office mandate threatens to further destabilize the largely remote VCL workforce. Many employees are hundreds of miles from designated hubs, making an in-person return impractical and likely to cause significant staff losses. The VA spokesperson stated they aim to bring employees back to the office “as space permits” and will make accommodations to ensure veteran access to care. However, union representatives express deep concern over the lack of clarity and available space for the largely remote workforce.

Technical issues with the USA Staffing system, used for VA onboarding, are also delaying the hiring process for exempted positions. A reported pop-up window requiring OPM approval is further slowing down the process. The VA acknowledges working with OPM to resolve these issues.

The situation highlights the unintended consequences of the hiring freeze on essential government services and the urgent need for solutions to address the staffing crisis within the VCL. The issue is further complicated by the VA’s recent dismissal of over 1,000 probationary employees, some of whom were mistakenly terminated. The VA is working to reinstate those employees. Veterans in crisis can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing “1.”

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