Veterans Services

The Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services is a state mandated department that is in place to assist veterans and their eligible dependents that are in financial need as dictated by MA General Law Chapter 115. This law requires each municipality in the Commonwealth to have a Department of Veterans’ Services administer this financial program. 

Additional Services

The local Department of Veterans’ Services also assists 100% service connected disabled veterans, and their eligible dependents, that are entitled to Dependency Indemnity Compensation from the Veterans Affairs (VA), apply for the state mandated annual $2,000 annuity. In very limited circumstances the local Department of Veterans’ Services office can assist financially in the burial of a veteran and or their eligible dependents.

Seeking Assistance & Benefits

The Department of Veterans’ Services within each municipality is often the first point of contact for veterans and the family members seeking assistance on such things as:

  • Service connected disability entitlements from the VA
  • VA medical treatment for eligible veterans and services available within the VA health care system
  • VA non-service connected VA pension entitlements

Burial Entitlements

Burial issues for veterans such as:

  • Burial at a VA National cemetery
  • Burial flags
  • Burial honors at the wake and funerals of veterans
  • VA burial allowance

Education Benefits

Education benefits under either:

  • Educational waives under the Welcome Home bill of 2005 within the state
  • The GI Bill
  • Vocational rehabilitation programs for veterans that are rated at least 10% by the VA as service connected disabled.

Additional Benefits

  • Assistance on tax exemptions based on service connected disabilities
  • Assistance with placing veterans in shelters designed for homeless veterans
  • Guidance on VA nursing home and rest home requirements
  • Locating the awards and decoration that a veteran has received
  • Record searches for the military records of veterans for either the veteran or their family members
  • Referral to VA inpatient alcohol and drug facilities
  • Cash bonuses for veterans that meet the requirements within the state from World War 2 to present