Veterans Services
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state agency with four primary service areas:
- Benefits
- Education and Training
- Long-term Care
- Burial
Visit them on the web at www.virginiaforveterans.com
Veterans Benefits
DVS employees provide personalized assistance with filing all types of claims for federal and state veterans benefits. DVS also represents veterans during the claims appeal process. All Benefit Service Representatives have successfully completed VA certification training.
Listed below are federal and state benefits available to veterans and their spouses and dependent children.
Federal Benefits for Veterans:
- Educational benefits through the G.I. Bill
- Vocational rehabilitation/employment services
- Medical and dental care
- Insurance benefits
- Home loan guarantees
- Survivors’ and dependents’ benefits
- Compensation and pension
- Burial and memorial benefits
Federal Benefits for Spouses and Dependent Children:
- Death pension
- Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC)
- Home loan guarantees
State Benefits for Veterans:
- Employment assistance
- Home modification grants for combat-injured veterans
- Employment preference for jobs in state government
- Special license plates with military-related designs, including disabled plates
- Life-time hunting and fishing licenses for qualified disabled veterans
- Long-term care
- Burial at one of Virginia’s two state-operated cemeteries
State Benefits for Spouses and Dependent Children:
- Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
To find the closest benefits office, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/Veterans_Service_Field_Offices_Click_Map.html.
Veterans Education and Training
DVS’ Veterans and Education Training Unit certifies that post-secondary educational institutions meet G.I. Bill funding and eligibility requirements, enabling veterans to pursue educational opportunities. Currently, more than 845 instructional institutions in Virginia are approved. For a list of all approved institutions, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/docs/ApprovedFacilitiesList_07102008.pdf. If you would like a program considered for approval, just let us know.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
The Military Survivors and Dependents Program (MSDEP) provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. Military service includes service in the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, the Virginia National Guard, or the Virginia National Guard Reserves. Armed conflict includes military operations against terrorism or as the result of a terrorist act, a peace-keeping mission, or any armed conflict after December 6, 1941. This program may pay for tuition and fees at any state-supported college or university. This program waives tuition and fees in Virginia. Benefits are available for up to four years. Additionally, a stipend may be available to offset the cost of room, board, books, and supplies. For more information, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/statebenefits.htm#Education.
Veterans Honorary Degree Program
Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas recognize the life experiences of veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Since the first honorary diplomas were issued in 2001, more than 1,000 have been awarded to veterans of these three wars. For more information, contact Margaret Roberts at (804) 225-2924 or at Margaret.Roberts@doe.virginia.gov
Veterans Care Centers
DVS operates two veterans care centers that provide affordable, high quality nursing and domiciliary care to honorably discharged Virginia veterans.
Virginia Veterans Care Center
Located adjacent to the Salem VA Medical Center
4550 Shenandoah Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24017
(540) 982-2860
- 240-beds
- Skilled and intermediate nursing care
- Assisted living
- Secure Alzheimer’s/dementia unit
- Hospice care
- Local medical transportation
- Physical, occupational and speech therapies available on site
Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center
Located adjacent to the McGuire VA Medical Center
1601 Broad Rock Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23224
(804) 371-8000
- 160 beds (single occupancy rooms)
- Skilled nursing care
- Secure Alzhemier’s/dementia unit
- Physical, occupational and speech therapies available on site
For more information, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/carecenter_services.htm.
Veterans Cemeteries
Honorably discharged veterans receive a grave site, opening and closing of the grave for the veteran, use of the committal shelter, placement of a government grave marker, and perpetual care of the grave site at no charge. Veterans’ spouses and eligible dependents may be interred for a small fee, currently $300.
Virginia Veterans Cemetery
10300 Pridesville Road
Amelia, VA 23002
Administrative office: (804) 561-1475
After hours, funeral directors may call: (804) 840-6126
Albert G. Horton, Jr., Memorial Veterans Cemetery
5310 Milners Road
Suffolk, VA 23439
Administrative office: (757) 255-7217
After hours, funeral directors may call:
(757) 334-4731
A third cemetery is being built in Southwest Virginia in Dublin and should be operational in late 2010.
For more information, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/cemetery_services.htm.
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program will coordinate support services for veterans with stress-related and traumatic brain injuries resulting from service in a combat area. The program will ensure that these veterans and their families receive timely assessment, treatment, and support. The Program will support Virginia veterans, and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents of the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service. The program also supports the family members of these veterans, Guard and Reserve members.
The program will provide mental health, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury services, including case management, outpatient, family support, and rehabilitative services. Other services, such as financial assistance, housing, and transportation may be available as we partner with organizations assisting veterans and with private donors.
The program will not be fully functioning until early 2009. In the meantime, if you or someone you know is a veteran—or the family member of a veteran—who may have suffered stress-related or traumatic brain injury as a result of service in combat, call Martha Mead at (804) 382-0421, Martha.mead@dvs.virginia.gov or visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/woundedwarrior/.
The Veterans Services Foundation and Veterans Services Fund
The Veterans Services Foundation manages the Veterans Services Fund and raises funds that only can be used to support veterans programs, activities, and services provided by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
Donations placed in the Veterans Services Fund do not revert to the Commonwealth’s General Fund.
All donations are tax exempt under section 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 2.2-2719 of the Code of Virginia.
Contributions are used for
- The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
- Equipment for the residents of the Virginia veterans care centers
- Activities for residents at the veterans care centers to keep them fit and connected to their communities and their families during the holidays and throughout the year
- Memorial benches and other enhancements to Virginia’s veterans cemeteries.
Contributions can be mailed to:
Virginia Veterans Services Foundation
Attention Jack Hilgers
900 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
For more information, contact:
Col. Jack Hilgers (USMC, Ret)
(804) 382-3715 or (757) 481-4164
Jack.hilgers@dvs.virginia.gov
Other Resources
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.va.gov/
Suicide Prevention Hotline: By calling the toll-free hot line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), veterans can get direct, round-the-clock access to mental health professionals. 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Virginia Employment Commission: Veterans from all periods of military service are eligible for job referral, job training and job placement assistance through the Virginia Employment Commission. http://www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal/seeker/veteransvcs.cfm
Granting Freedom: Granting Freedom is a grant program that pays for modifications to make living spaces more accessible for servicemen or women who sustained injury during service in a combat theatre of operations. http://www.vhda.com
NewWell Fund: The NewWell Fund can help eligible applicants obtain low-interest loans for a wide variety of special equipment (i.e. assistive technology). This includes loans for wheelchairs, motorized scooters, Braille equipment, hearing aids, low vision aids, communication systems, environmental control devices, building and home modifications for accessibility or telecommunication devices for the deaf or other assistive technology. http://www.atlfa.org/
Vet Centers
VA Medical Centers
Community-Based Outpatient Clinics/Outpatient Clinics
- Alexandria
- Appalachia
- Danville
- Damascus East
- Damascus West
- Davenport
- Ewing
- Fredericksburg
- Harrisonburg
- Haysi
- Hillsville
- Norton
- Pennington Gap
- Saltville
- Stephens City
- St. Charles
- St. Paul
- Tazewell
- Vansant
- Virginia Beach
- Whitetop
