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Who's Eligible

Eligibility for most federal, state and local benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. However, some military personnel may be eligible for certain veterans benefits while on active duty when they have completed:

  • 90 days of service during wartime and/or conflict periods
  • or two years of military service since 1980
  • or 181 days during peacetime

War Time Service
Some VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. As specified in law, the VA recognizes these war periods:

  • World War II (September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947)
  • Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955)
  • Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975)
  • Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to present) requires service for 2 years or the full period for which called to active duty.  Exceptions applying to service between September 7, 1980 and August 1, 1990 also apply to Persian Gulf War.

You must have served at least 90 days on active duty and must have been discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions. If you served less than 90 days, you may be eligible if discharged because of a service-connected disability.

Peacetime Service
If your service fell entirely within any one of the following periods:

  • July 26, 1947 to June 26,1950
  • February 1, 1955 to August 4, 1964
  • May 8, 1975 to September 7, 1980 (if enlisted) or to October 16, 1981 (if officer).

You must have served at least 181 days of continuous active duty and you must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. If you served less than 181 days, you may be eligible if discharged because of a service-connected disability.

Family and Survivor
Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for certain benefits.

  • Educational benefits
  • Home Loan Guaranty for surviving spouse
  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
    • DIC payments to surviving spouse
    • DIC payments to parents and children
    • Spina Bifida benefits
  • Medical Care for family and survivors (CHAMPVA)
  • Death Pension
  • Burial of spouse and eligible family members

Services and Benefits Overview

Services we offer:

  • Free Accredited Representation Service
  • Veterans ID Card Enrollment Service
  • Securing Military and Personal Records
  • Obtaining Medals and Awards
  • Assistance with Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption Filling

We can assist in filing VA claims regarding the following benefits:

VA Home Loan Guaranty

  • No down payment required for most home loans
  • Specially adapted housing grants for severely disabled veterans

VA Life Insurance

  • SGLI (Service Members’ Group Life Insurance)
  • VGLI (Veterans Group Life Insurance)
  • Service-Disabled Life Insurance

VA Burial Benefits

  • Reimbursement of Burial Expenses
  • Burial at VA National Cemetery
  • Headstones and Markers
  • Presidential Memorial Certificates
  • Burial Flags
  • Military Funeral Honors

VA Pensions

  • Veterans Service Connected
  • Veterans Non-Service Connected
  • Widows
  • Improved
  • Medal of Honor Pension

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits

  • Transition Assistance Program

Education

  • Montgomery GI Bill
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill
  • Vocational Education

Disability Compensation

  • Improved Disability Compensation
  • Death and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  • Disability VA rating change

Appeals of VA Claims Decisions

Benefits

Veterans benefits applies to programs of benefits and services administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in accordance with criteria authorized by Congress and set forth in Title 38, United States Code, "Veterans Benefits" (38 USC). Specific entitlement and eligibility requirements are set forth in Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans Relief." Monetary benefits to veterans and their dependents are tax-exempt and may be classified into three general categories: Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Pension.

The County Veterans Service Officers serve as liaisons assisting veterans and their families. We can advise and assist veterans in filing for benefits and cutting through the red tape. Our office staff includes three certified Veterans Service Officers and a network of people, agencies and other support functions to help veterans and their families. County Veterans Service Officers are authorized to present claims for further development, institute appeals from VA decisions and follow through to final representative.
 
 

Thanking Military Families - keep for text

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As part of a continuing effort to support Westchester’s service men and women, government officials are offering their families free admission to county pools and beaches and free rides to Playland.

Families can stop by the Veterans Service Agency at 112 East Post Road, 4th floor, White Plains to pick up their qualifying letter and then go to the County Center or County Parks Main Office Building in Mount. Kisco to get their special Park Pass. For additional information, call the Veterans Service Agency at (914) 995-2145.

Families with a parent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan can receive a one-year pass from date of issue entitling them to free admission to pools and beaches as well as discounts on golf, parking and summer camps (next season). Family members can also get Fun Bands for six hours of rides at Playland. Special rules apply.

Because the names of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are not released by the federal government, the Veterans Service Agency has had to rely on families coming forward to identify themselves.

The county hopes families will provide their contact information so the Veterans Service Agency  will know how to find them. Not only can the agency help with free recreational passes, but they are able to be a liaison for many other veteran and county services and programs. The agency provides information on everything from disability and pensions to mental health care and property tax breaks.

The Veterans Service Agency has coordinated several outreach programs to active service members and veterans in recent years, including a letter-writing campaign, distribution of care packages of Girl Scout cookies, regular Town Hall meetings, monthly sign-up days for VA medical benefits, nursing home visits and a special appreciation day at Playland.

To qualify for the county passes, families need to bring a copy of the orders showing their family member is stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan and their Military Dependent ID Card to the Veterans Service Agency. Families also need to bring proof of Westchester County residency in the form of a driver’s license or utility bill. The card will be issued to the military dependent only and valid for use by immediate family members when accompanied by the military dependent.