# Purchases of Smartphones and Tablets for Veterans’ Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
> **Review** by Department of Veterans Affairs OIG · 2022-05-04
> *About: Department of Veterans Affairs*
## Report
- **Title:** Purchases of Smartphones and Tablets for Veterans’ Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- **Submitting OIG:** Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
- **Component agency:** Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Type:** Review
- **Publication date:** 2022-05-04

## Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated efforts by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to expand veteran access to telehealth. Accordingly, VHA’s Connected Care Office created a new digital divide consult to issue iPhones to veterans experiencing homelessness who were enrolled in the Department of Housing and Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. VHA was already loaning iPads to other veterans who lacked telehealth capable devices through the digital divide consult process.


## Recommendations

- **Rec 1** (Closed): Establish a realistic goal for days in storage along with a process for closely monitoring days in storage and taking corrective actions when the goal is not met.
- **Rec 2** (Closed): Perform a cost-benefit analysis in conjunction with VA contracting officials and the contractor to determine whether a new process can be implemented that initiates the data plan when a device is issued to the veteran or otherwise reduces unused plan…
## Source
- [oversight.gov report page](https://www.oversight.gov/reports/purchases-smartphones-and-tablets-veterans-use-during-covid-19-pandemic)
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