Mission Statement

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Mission Statement

• The mission of the Department of Veterans
  Services is to advocate on behalf of all the
  Commonwealths veterans and provide them with
  quality support services and to direct an
  emergency financial assistance program for those
  veterans and their dependents who are in need.

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Chapter 115

• The Commonwealth is the only state in the Union
  that has made generous provisions by state law by
  providing to veterans in need.
• Some of the benefits provided

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Chapter 115

• Financial Assistance with
• Food,
• Housing,
• Clothing,
• Medical and
• Burial assistance
• Employment Assistance

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Chapter 115

• Eligibility
• Veteran - Discharged under honorable conditions
  and a resident of Massachusetts with
• 90 Days service during Time of War
• 180 Days service during Peace Time
• Dependants
• Un-Remarried Spouse
• Child
• Parent (If supported by the veteran)

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Chapter 115

• Financial Eligibility

Single Married
Income 1,800 2,400
Assets Less Than 3,200 Less Than 7,000
Further calculations are required to determine
benefit level. This is for reference only.
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Chapter 115

• A widow or widower of a veteran is eligible for
  the same benefits as their veteran spouse.

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Chapter 115

• Contact your local city or town Director of
  Veterans Service/Veterans Service Officer.
• Every city and town has a
• Veterans Service Officer.

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Your Local VSO

• Assist with everything shown previously AND
• Chapter 115 Benefit Applications
• VA Applications
• Assist with discharge paperwork
• Property Tax Assistance
• Excise Tax Assistance
• Annuity Applications
• Record Retention

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VA Services

• Assist veterans with Federal VA Claims Submission
  and Appeals for VA Compensations and Pensions
• DVS has filed claims worth 28-30 Million per
  year for the veterans of Massachusetts.
• Primary VA Contact Office in the JFK Building in
  Boston
• Secondary VA Contact Office in Providence RI
• Both offices are accessible through the local
• Veterans Service Officer

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Property Tax Exemptions

• Between 400 and total abatement depending upon
  disability
• Legal Resident of Massachusetts
• Occupy Property on July 1 of the tax year
• Resident of Massachusetts for at least six months
  prior to entering the service
• Resident of Massachusetts for five consecutive
  years prior to filing
• Contact the local assessors office to apply

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Annuity

• 2,000 Per Year Annuity
• 100 Service Connected Veteran
• Gold Star Parent
• Gold Star Spouse

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Cemeteries

• Massachusetts Veterans Cemeteries
• Agawam
• Winchendon
• VA National Cemetery in Bourne

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Welcome Home

• Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are
  eligible for 1,000
• Veterans who served outside the continental
  limits of the U.S other than Iraq or Afghanistan
  are eligible for 500
• Bonus for subsequent tours of six months or more
  as of 11 Nov 2009
• Contact
• The State Treasurer [phone] Ext. 539
• Or www.mass.gov/treasury

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Other Bonuses

• Vietnam
• In Country 300.00
• Or 200.00
• Korean
• Ninety days state side service 100.00
• Six continuous months of active service 200.00
• One or more days outside continentallimits of
  the United States 300.00
• WWII
• One day to six months active service 100.00
• Six continuous months of active service 200.00
• Foreign service Merchant Marines 300.00
• Contact the State Treasurer

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License Plates

• Massachusetts has a LONG list of plates
• Standard Plate Funds go to Soldiers Homes
• Bronze Star and above Plates are free
• Go to Registry or the Registry Web-Site

http//www.mass.gov/rmv/veteran/vet.htm
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Do You know a Woman Veteran?

• 26,085 women veterans reside in Massachusetts
• Women are now roughly 15 of the Active-Duty
  population
• 20 of new recruits are female
• Women comprise 7.5 of the Veteran Population
  Nationwide
• Database of over 15,000 women veterans

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Women Veterans Outreach

• Direct assistance and referrals to over 500 women
  veterans annually
• Biannual newsletter to all women in the Database
• Collaborative Steering committee
• Annual Women Veterans Appreciation Day Event at
  State House
• Speakers Bureau
• 5th Annual Conference for Women Veterans June
  15th (Boston LocationTBD)

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SAVE

• The fundamental principle of the SAVE program is
  to advocate for veterans who are unable to obtain
  their deserved benefits because of either
  institutional deficiencies or personal barriers.

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SAVE

• The programs primary mission is the prevention
  of suicide, while simultaneously identifying the
  issues our veterans are facing as they return
  home from service.
• Focus is on
• Community advocacy
• Suicide prevention
• Mental health awareness
• Referrals

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SAVE

• SAVE Outreach Coordinators are in the field each
  week responding to the needs of veterans and
  their families.
• Check out their YouTube Video
• SAVE Saves Lives

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Housing

• DVS contracts with 15 Homeless and 16 Outreach
  providers state wide.
• These not- for- profit centers provide a full
  range of services to assist veterans and their
  families
• professional and peer counseling
• access to state and federal benefits
• linkages to community services and activities
• AA
• educational and employment opportunities and
  referrals.
• VASH VA Supportive Housing Vouchers

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SHARP
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SHARPStatewide Housing Advocacy for
Reintegration and Prevention

• The SHARP team consists of four Peer Specialists,
  two VA VASH social workers, a licensed Drug and
  Alcohol Counselor, and a Psychiatrist.
• The team provides Veterans with wrap around
  services and helps the Veteran gain and sustain
  suitable and safe housing.
• 24/7 Support Line 1-617-571-7587

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SHARPStatewide Housing Advocacy for
Reintegration and Prevention

• SHARP Service
• Homeless Reintegration
• Homeless Prevention
• Prison/Jail Re-Entry
• Jail Diversion
• Community Education/Presentations on Veterans
  Benefits and Services

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SHARPStatewide Housing Advocacy for
Reintegration and Prevention

• Referrals
• Referrals can be made by calling 617-210-5743
• 24 / 7 Support Line 1-617-571-7587
• You may also email the SHARP team _at_
  SHARP_at_massmail.state.ma.us
• All referrals will be processed within 24 hours

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Work Force Investment

• Boots to Business Initiative
• The Department of Veterans' Services has
  partnered with DWD and the Greater Boston Chamber
  of Commerce to provide mentorship and networking
  opportunties for Veterans seeking employment.
• Assistance
• Veterans receive special assistance in their job
  search at One-Stop Career Centers across the
  state through the VETS (Veterans Employment
  Training Services) program available through the
  Division of Career Services.

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Additional Resources

• MassVetsAdvisor Web Portal
• www.massvetsadvisor.org
• Veterans Laws and Benefits http//www.sec.state.
  ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetidx.htm
• Attorney Generals Veterans Resource Guide
  http//www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/civilrights/vets_gui
  de_120508.pdf

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Upcoming Events

• Comcast Hire A Vet 2.0 Norwell MA Contact Matt
  Mckenna for details matt.mckenna_at_massmail.state.ma
  .us
• 11 May 2012 Student Veterans Appreciation Day,
  Northeastern University 8 AM -4 PM Register at
  www.vet-ed.eventbrite.com
• 15 June 5th Annual Conference for Women Veterans
  UMASS Boston

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Contact Information

• Web Site www.mass.gov/veterans
• S.A.V.E. 1-888-844-2838 Option 2
• Web Portal www.massvetsadvisor.org
• Address 600 Washington Street, 7th Floor
• Boston MA 02111
• Phone [phone]
• www.twitter.com/massdvs
• www.Facebook.com/massdvs
• YOUR LOCAL VETERANS Services Officer