Services Provided by Veterans’ Services
The following list is provided to give you a sense of matters with which the Veterans’ Services office deals.
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE
Verification and determination of eligibility
Secure Certificates in lieu of Lost Discharges
ARMED FORCES
Advice and information regarding Tricare and Tricare for life.
Reserve retirement support.
CIVIL SERVICE
Advise and Counsel Relative to Veterans rights for federal, state and local employment.
Veterans Preference.
DEATH BENEFITS
Preplanning
File for flags for casket
Assist with honors detail
VA gravestones and markers
State and Federal Cemetery arrangements
DISCHARGE DIFFICULTIES
Replacement copies of discharge papers
Review and appeals on discharges for upgrading
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Counsel and assist veterans and dependents to identify and apply for benefits including scholarships available through federal and state programs, as well as the GI Bill.
EMPLOYMENT
Counsel and assist in veteran’s preference and tenure issues.
Assist unemployed veterans in identifying potential employment.
HOSPITALIZATION AND DOMICILIARY CARE
Assist with applications for:
Emergency medical care
State Hospitals and soldiers homes
VA Medical Centers and clinics
HOUSING
FHA and VA Loan Counseling
Federal and State housing support for veterans and families
Evictions
HOMELESS
Emergency assistance to homeless veterans for obtaining shelter and necessities.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT CASES
Assist and advise
INSURANCE MATTERS
U.S. Government Insurance – applications
U.S. Indemnity insurance – Conversions
VA Life Insurance claims
National Service Life Insurance:
Disability
Reinstatements
Waivers
Assist with filing for U.S. Government Death Benefits
Health Insurance Coverage
LICENSE PLATES
Assist in obtaining Veteran and Special Plates such as Silver Star, Purple Heart & Bronze Star Plates
LOAN GUARANTEE – VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Applications
Certificate of Eligibility
Foreclosure Difficulties
Restoring Entitlement
MEDALS & AWARDS
Assist with obtaining awards and medals to which entitled
MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Local, State and Federal Facilities
Emergency and Routine Exams
Dental
Agent Orange
Gulf War Syndrome
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Counseling – Referral
Veterans Administration Authorizations
NATIONAL CEMETERY AT BOURNE, MA
Assist in making arrangements for burial of veteran, spouse or dependent child.
PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION
Advice and Counsel
Assist in Obtaining POW Medals
RECORDS & FILES
Retain on file important service documents such as discharge papers as a backup for personal records.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Acquiring copies of all State and Federal references pertaining to veterans’ rights, benefits and where same may be obtained.
RETIREMENT MATTERS
Employee Compensation Bureau
Retirement – State, Local, and County System
Laws and Procedures
General Information and Assistance
REHABILITATION MATTERS
Relating to Veterans
Relating to Members of Family
Veterans Administration Program
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Other Federal and State Programs
Private Agency Programs
Industrial Programs
SELECTIVE SERVICE INFORMATION
SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS
Social Security Assistance
Disability Assistance
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Medicare
Social Security credit for service time prior to 1957
STATE CEMETERY AT AGAWAM
Assist in making arrangements for burial of veteran, spouse or dependent child.
TAX BENEFITS AND DIFFICULTIES
Property Tax Abatement Assistance
Appeals
Federal and State Exemptions
WOMEN VETERANS
Advice and information regarding Benefits available.
WORLD WAR II MARITIME SERVICE
Assist merchant seamen with information and applying for Veterans Administration Benefits.
VA COMPENSATION and PENSION MATTERS
Dependency Entitlements
Eligibility Information
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Pension
Preparing and developing claims for filing
Servicemen’s and Veterans’ Survivor Benefits
Re-opening of claims for increase in VA compensation
VETERANS BENEFITS
Provide monetary support to low-income veterans, widows and families.
VETERANS BONUS
Assist in applying for wartime bonuses.
To assist with any request from a veteran, widow or family member, veterans’ services needs a copy of the veterans’ discharge papers (DD214 beginning with the Korean War) to determine eligibility for various programs. Our office can assist you in obtaining such documents if you do not have them in your possession. It is highly recommended that copies of discharge papers be provided to this office to hold on file in the event services are ever needed by the veteran or surviving family.
