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Content style guide

System messages

Alerts the user of important system-related issues or status. It’s initiated by the system and it’s not a result of the user’s actions.

Note: See the help users to recover from errors pattern for guidance on when to consider adding instruction to call the VA.gov help desk or other “next-step” call to action.

Scheduled downtime notifications

Scenario Message title Message content Component State
Site-wide        
Advance notification Upcoming site maintenance We’ll be doing some work on VA.gov. The maintenance will last x hour. During that time, you won’t be able to sign in or use tools.
Date: Day, Date, Year
Start/End time: 0:00 a.m. to 0:00 a.m. ET		 Maintenance banner Before maintenance
Advance notification/24 hour Upcoming site maintenance We’ll be doing some work on VA.gov. The maintenance will last 24 hours. During that time, you won’t be able to sign in or use tools.
Start: Day, Date, Year, at 0:00 a.m. ET
End: Day, Date, Year, at 0:00 a.m. ET		 Maintenance banner Before maintenance
During downtime Site maintenance We’re working on VA.gov right now. If you have trouble signing in or using tools, check back after we’re finished. Thank you for your patience.
Date: Day, Date, Year
Start/End time: 0:00 a.m. to 00:00 a.m. ET		 Maintenance banner During maintenance
During downtime/24 hour Site maintenance We’re working on VA.gov right now. If you have trouble signing in or using tools, check back after we’re finished. Thank you for your patience.
Start: Day, Date, Year at 0:00 a.m. ET
End: Day, Date, Year at 0:00 a.m. ET		 Maintenance banner During maintenance
Entire site is accessible We’re working on the site We’re working on VA.gov right now. You should still be able to use the applications and tools. But if you have any trouble, please check back soon. Maintenance Banner Warning
In-app        
During downtime We’re working on [APP name] right now If you have trouble using this tool, please check back after [Month, Date] at [00:00 a.m./p.m. ET]. Modal Warning
Partial downtime notification Some online tools or services aren’t working right now You may have trouble accessing some features on VA.gov at this time. We’re working to fix this. Please check back soon. Alert Warning
Sign-in page        
During downtime You may have trouble signing in with [DS Logon, MyHealtheVet, ID.me] We’re sorry. We’re working to fix some problems with our [DS Logon, MyHealtheVet,ID.me] sign in process. If you’d like to sign in to VA.gov with this account, please check back later. Alert Warning

Unscheduled downtime notifications

Scenario Message title Message content Component State
Site-wide        
During downtime Site maintenance We’re working on VA.gov right now. If you have trouble signing in or using tools, check back after we’re finished. Thank you for your patience.
Date: Day, Date, Year
Start/End time: 0:00 a.m. to 00:00 a.m. ET		 Maintenance banner During maintenance
In-app        
During downtime This application is down for maintenance We’re making some updates to this tool. We’re sorry it’s not working right now. Please check back soon. Modal Informational
Sign-in page        
During downtime You may have trouble signing in with [DS Logon, MyHealtheVet, ID.me] We’re sorry. We’re working to fix some problems with our [DS Logon, MyHealtheVet,ID.me] sign in process. If you’d like to sign in to VA.gov with this account, please check back later. Alert Warning

Updates to user data (system-initiated)

Some messages written to reflect the example; other variations will be added to expanded dictionary section.

Scenario Message title Message content Actions Component State Location
Status update (e.g. claim closed) Your [CLAIM TYPE] claim update Our records show that your claim was closed on [DATE]. N/A Alert Informational Replace affected component
Action required (e.g. claim evidence request) We need your help to finish reviewing your claim Please provide more evidence (supporting documents) so we can finish reviewing your claim. See Details Alert Warning Above affected component
Form prefill notice We’ve started your form for you We’ve filled in some of this form based on information you gave us. Please check and update the information as needed. N/A Alert Informational Above affected component
Change in application feature, neutral/positive impact (e.g. SiP now available) You can save your in-progress application Sign in to VA.gov to save your application so you can come back later to complete it. All you’ll need to sign in is an email and password. Sign in to VA.gov Alert Informational Above affected component
Last updated: Aug 25, 2022