1. Payment by Department of Veterans Affairs of work-study allowances during public health emergency relating to COVID–19 (a) In general In the case of an individual who is in receipt of work-study allowance pursuant to an agreement described in subsection (a)(3) of section 3485 of title 38, United States Code, as of the date on which a covered public health emergency occurs and who is unable to continue to perform qualifying work-study activities described in subsection (a)(4) of such section by reason of the covered public health emergency— (1) the Secretary may continue to pay work-study allowance under such section or make deductions described in subsection (e)(1) of such section during the period of the covered public health emergency, notwithstanding the inability of the individual to perform such work-study activities by reason of the covered public health emergency