Where to get help with a VA claim
Two different offices can help you, and most veterans only know about one. An accredited representative files your claim, and the state veterans agency does that for free in every state. A county, city or town veterans office is the other one: it is not the same office as the state agency, not every state has them, and where they exist they are usually the fastest way to reach a person.
Every number below was read off that agency’s own page. Call to confirm before you travel.
Alabama
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
The state agency has local offices.
Alaska
Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs
The state agency works with veterans service officers around the state.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services
One Arizona county runs a veterans office of its own. No Arizona law requires a county to have one, so most Arizona veterans start with the state agency above.
Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
Some Arkansas counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
California
California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)
Some California counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
Colorado
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Colorado is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
Every Connecticut municipality is required by law to have a veterans advisory committee, a director of municipal veterans services, or a municipal veterans representative. Connecticut has no county government.
Delaware
Delaware Office of Veterans Services
Start with the state agency.
District of Columbia
DC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs
Start with the state agency.
Florida
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
Every county in Florida has a veterans service office, though state law does not require one.
Georgia
Georgia Department of Veterans Service
The state agency has local offices.
Hawaii
Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services
The state agency has local offices.
Idaho
Idaho Division of Veterans Services
Some Idaho counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
Illinois
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Some Illinois counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
Indiana
Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Indiana is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Iowa
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Iowa is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Kansas
Kansas Office of Veterans Services
The state agency has local offices.
Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
The state agency has benefits representatives covering every county.
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
The state agency has local offices.
Maine
Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
The state agency has local offices.
Maryland
Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families
The state agency has local offices.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services
Massachusetts cities and towns are required by law to establish and maintain a veterans services department. Massachusetts runs this at city and town level, not county level.
Michigan
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
Every county in Michigan is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Minnesota is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Mississippi
Mississippi Veterans Affairs
Every county in Mississippi has a veterans service office, though state law does not require one.
Missouri
Missouri Veterans Commission
The state agency has local offices.
Montana
Montana Veteran Affairs Division
Some Montana counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs
Every county in Nebraska is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Nevada
Nevada Department of Veterans Services
Some Nevada counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Division of Veterans Services
Start with the state agency.
New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs
Some New Jersey counties have a veterans service office.
New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
The state agency has local offices.
New York
New York State Department of Veterans' Services
Every county in New York is required by law to have a veterans service office.
North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Some North Carolina counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in North Dakota is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Ohio
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
Every county in Ohio is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
The state agency has local offices.
Oregon
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs
Every county in Oregon has a veterans service office, though state law does not require one.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Every county in Pennsylvania has a veterans service office.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services
Start with the state agency.
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs
The state agency has a veterans' affairs officer in every county.
South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs
Every South Dakota county is required by law to employ a county veterans' service officer, join with another county or counties in employing one, or contract with the state Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the service.
Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Veterans Services
Some Tennessee counties have a veterans service office, and state law does not require one.
Texas
Texas Veterans Commission
Some Texas counties have a veterans service office.
Utah
Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Start with the state agency.
Vermont
Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs
Start with the state agency.
Virginia
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
The state agency has local offices.
Washington
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Washington is required by law to have a veterans service office.
West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
The state agency has local offices.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Wisconsin is required by law to have a veterans service office.
Wyoming
Wyoming Veterans Commission
The state agency has local offices.
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