Editor’s note: We continue to follow this story on Thursday after receiving an email from the Department of Veterans Affairs claiming the document cited in this reporting is "fraudulent."
It has been widely reported and verified that 80,000 jobs are being reduced from the VA workforce nationwide. Our reporting includes information from a source with direct knowledge of the department's plans that outlined how those decisions would be made and which jobs would be impacted.
A department spokesperson reached out to Channel 13 in response to this reporting, writing in an email that the information we received came from a "fraudulent and intentionally false leaked document."
We followed up with the VA to ask what they mean by “fraudulent” and to ask that they provide further details and proof of that claim. VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz responded with this statement:
This story is based on a fraudulent and intentionally false leaked document that does not reflect VA’s reform plan, which is still being developed. It does not come from anyone involved in VA’s plan. By describing this as part of “the department’s plans,” KTNV is spreading disinformation and creating unwarranted fears around our efforts to make VA work better for Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A shake-up is underway at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with a nationwide workforce reduction plan set to impact more than 80,000 employees. While the VA assures that veterans will not see any disruptions in care, local organizations in Las Vegas are bracing for the ripple effects of these job cuts.
VIDEO | How the workforce reduction plan could impact veterans in Nevada
Nationwide Workforce Reduction
According to information shared with Channel 13 on March 28, the VA’s workforce reduction plan will unfold in three phases through the end of the year. Internal documents obtained by Channel 13 reveal the following timeline for the cuts:
1. Administrative and Support Roles:
- Policy and program analysts
- HR personnel
- IT support staff in non-critical functions
- Clerical and data entry positions
2. Medical and Healthcare Support Staff:
- Non-patient-facing administrative healthcare roles
- Some contract positions in VA medical centers
- Certain research positions with reduced funding
3. Regional and Central Office Staff:
- Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) will see cuts in operational, administrative, and policy roles
- Reductions in public affairs, strategic planning, and some procurement functions
4. Field Office and Call Center Reductions:
- VA call centers are expected to be streamlined with automation, reducing the need for live agents
- Some regional field office roles will be merged or reassigned
Phase 1: Initial Announcements & Voluntary Exits (March - June 2025)
March 2025:
- Official announcement of the workforce reduction plan
- Internal communications sent to department heads outlining impact areas
- Voluntary Separation Incentives (VSIP) and Early Retirement (VERA) programs launched
- Hiring freeze implemented for affected roles
April - May 2025:
- Departments identify specific employees at risk and begin individual consultations
- Voluntary retirements and separations processed
- Workforce retraining programs introduced for employees willing to transition into alternative roles
June 2025:
- VA finalizes the list of employees subject to layoffs if voluntary separations are insufficient
- Notifications sent to impacted employees
- First reallocation of duties for remaining staff
Phase 2: First Wave of Layoffs & Adjustments (July - September 2025)
July 2025:
- First round of layoffs begins, mainly targeting administrative and non-essential roles
- VA implements staffing reassignments where feasible
- Employee transition programs start, helping affected workers seek other federal employment
August 2025:
- Impact assessment conducted to evaluate service disruptions
- VA adjusts remaining workforce allocation to prevent disruptions in veteran-facing services
September 2025:
- Second round of layoffs begins, primarily affecting regional and central office staff
- Automation systems deployed, reducing demand for certain clerical and customer service roles
Phase 3: Final Adjustments & Transition (October - December 2025)
October - November 2025:
- VA monitors post-reduction service efficiency and adjusts workloads as necessary
- Final efforts to reallocate displaced employees to other government roles
December 2025:
- Completion of the RIF plan
- Final workforce adjustments and long-term strategy development for maintaining efficiency with fewer employees
- The plan covers a wide range of positions, from administration and IT to HR and call centers. While the VA insists that direct care roles will be spared, many worry that the ripple effects will still be felt on the ground, especially in local programs that serve veterans
Local Impact: What it means for veterans in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the local impact is already being felt. Programs that assist veterans, like Forgotten Not Gone, are grappling with the uncertainty these cuts bring. The nonprofit organization, which has been offering free specially-designed trikes to local veterans for over a decade, is concerned that the reduction in VA staff could lead to funding shortfalls and more limited services.
"A lot of my veterans were really panicking, and we’re feeling it now,” said founder Kelley Guidry.
The organization fills critical gaps, especially in areas where government support falls short. However, the organization has already faced financial struggles after their City of North Las Vegas grant ended in September. Now, with funding cuts on the horizon, they’re uncertain if their planned government grant from the VA will ever come through.
"I’ve just been paying $10,000 a month, trying to garner community support, and trying not to interrupt my veterans," Guidry said, adding that her primary focus is preventing veterans from feeling the pressure, even though they already are.
VA's Statement on the Workforce Reduction
In response to concerns, the VA issued a statement to Channel 13, emphasizing that the agency is focused on "reducing bureaucracy" rather than cutting services for veterans.
VA will run through a deliberative process and find ways to improve care and benefits for Veterans without cutting care and benefits for Veterans.
We’re not talking about reducing medical staff or claims processors, we’re talking about reducing bureaucracy and inefficiencies that are getting in the way of customer convenience and service to veterans.
Meanwhile, all VA mission-critical positions are exempt from cuts, and hiring continues for more than 300,000 essential positions.
When pressed about the potential for service delays, wait times, and local impact, the VA declined to offer further comments.
The Uncertainty Facing Providers
For providers like Forgotten Not Gone, the situation remains precarious. Guidry, who has been shouldering the organization’s financial burden, fears that the cuts will only make things worse.
"We don’t have overhead, we don’t have funding and it’s only going to get worse," she said.
