A Guide to Benefits, Entitlements and Resources
Healthcare
Benefits
Counseling & Support
Housing
Education
Employment
General Assistance / Advocacy
VA (Department of Veterans Affairs): VISIT Website
For information on Monetary Benefits (disability compensation, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, and insurance):
- Telephone: (800) 827-1000 |
- VISIT Website
For information on Health Care Benefits and Services:
- Telephone: (877) 222-8387
- VISIT Website
Healthcare
VA Health Benefits
VA provides every active-duty service member, Reservist or National Guard member who serves in a theater of combat operations two years of free health care beginning on the date of discharge or release from service for all illnesses and injuries unless clearly unrelated to military service. At the end of the two-year period, these veterans have the same eligibility for VA medical care as veterans of earlier conflicts, and co-payment status will depend on whether illness or injury is found to be service-connected.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a number of healthcare services:
- Hospital, outpatient medical, nursing home, and community-based residential care
- Dental, pharmacy, mental health, and prosthetic services
- Medical evaluation for military service exposure to environmental hazards
- Readjustment counseling
- Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
- Sexual trauma counseling
- Specialized healthcare for women veterans
- Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
- Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based residential care
For information on Health Care Benefits and Services:
- Telephone: (877) 222-8387
- VISIT Website
For information on Health Care Eligibility:
- Telephone: (800) 929-8387
- VISIT Website
Forms and Publications:
Online application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ)
Locate a VA Facility or Outpatient Clinic - Online Directory
VA Forms and Publications
VA Medical Centers and Clinics in NY and NJ
Upstate NY VA Medical Centers (VISN 2)
Albany VA Medical Center | 113 Holland Avenue | Albany, NY 12208 | (518) 626-5000
Bath VA Medical Center | 76 Veterans Avenue | Bath, NY 14810 | (607) 664-4000
Canandaigua VA Medical Center | 400 Fort Hill Avenue | Canandaigua, NY 14424 | (585) 394-2000
Syracuse VA Medical Center | 800 Irving Avenue | Syracuse, NY 13210 | (315) 425-4400
WNY Healthcare System | Buffalo Campus | 3495 Bailey Avenue | Buffalo, NY 14215 | (716) 834-9200
WNY Healthcare System | Batavia Campus | 222 Richmond Avenue | Batavia, NY 14020 | (585) 343-7500
Upstate NY VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (VISN 2)
Auburn | Bainbridge | Binghamton | Carthage | Catskill | Clifton Park | Cortland | Dunkirk | Elizabethtown | Elmira | Glens Falls | Ithaca | Jamestown | Kingston | Lackawanna | Lockport | Malone | Massena | Niagara Falls | Olean | Oswego | Plattsburgh | Rochester | Rome | Schenectady | Troy | Wellsville
Downstate NY/ Northern NJ VA Medical Centers (VISN 3)
VA New York Harbor Health Care System | Brooklyn Campus | 800 Poly Place | Brooklyn, NY 11209 | (718) 836-6600
Bronx VA Medical Center | 130 W Kingsbridge Road | Bronx, NY 10468 | (718) 584-9000
VA Hudson Valley Health Care System | Castle Point Campus | Castle Point, NY 12511 | (845) 831-2000
VA Hudson Valley Health Care System | Montrose Campus | Route 9A, P. O. Box 100 | Montrose, NY 10548 | (914) 737-4400
VA New York Harbor Health Care System | New York Campus | 423 East 23rd Street | New York, NY 10010 | (212) 686-7500
VA Medical Center Northport | 79 Middleville Road | Northport, NY 11768 | (631) 261-4400
VA NJ Health Care System | East Orange Campus | 385 Tremont Avenue | East Orange, NJ 07939 | (973) 676-1000
VA NJ Health Care System | Lyons Campus | 151 Knollcroft Road | Lyons, NJ 07939 | (908) 647-0180
St Albans Primary & Extended Care Center | 179th St. and Linden Blvd. | St. Albans, NY 11425 | (718) 526-1000
My HealtheVet
My HealtheVet provides access to trusted health information, links to VA benefits and resources, a Personal Health Record, online VA prescription refills, and much more. In the future, MHV registrants will be able to view appointments, copay balances, and key portions of their VA medical records online. VISIT Website.
Health Insurance
TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. Telephone: (877) 874-2273 (TRICARE North Region) | VISIT Website.
Healthcare for Women
Each VA Medical Center has a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) who helps women understand their benefits, and coordinates their care. The Women Veterans Program Manager can assist women veterans in establishing their eligibility, understanding their benefits, and obtaining their health care in the VA system. The Women Veterans Health Program provides a full range of medical and mental health services, including:
- primary care
- reproductive health
- gynecology services
- patient education
- preventive health screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis
- screening, counseling, and treatment for sexual trauma, substance abuse, PTSD and domestic violence
- vocational rehabilitation
- Homeless programs
- transition assistance separating from military duty
Women Veterans Health Program - VISIT Website
The Center for Women Veterans - VISIT Website
DoD Deployment Health & Family Readiness Library
This library provides servicemembers, families, veterans and healthcare providers an easy way to quickly find deployment health and family readiness information. VISIT Website
Benefits
Federal Benefits
VA Regional Offices
VA Regional Offices are responsible for delivering five major benefit programs as well as other services to veterans and their dependents. The benefits include disability compensation and pension, vocational rehabilitation and employment, education, insurance and home loan guaranty. Veterans may call the toll free number or visit the VA Regional Office for more information. Veterans with internet access may also apply online for benefits.
Regional Offices
Buffalo Regional Office | 130 South Elmwood Avenue | Buffalo, NY 14202 | (800) 827-1000 | Fax: (716) 551-3505
New York Regional Office | 245 West Houston Street | New York, NY 10014 | (800) 827-1000 | (212) 807-7229 | Fax: (212) 807-4008
Newark Regional Office | 20 Washington Place | Newark, NJ 07102 | (800) 827-1000
VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) - VISIT Website
Apply for VA benefits online
VA Compensation and Pension
Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. Pension benefits are paid for non-service connected disabilities. Eligibility requirements for disability benefits can be obtained from a VA Regional Office, online or through a veteran service organization. VISIT Website.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides training and rehabilitation for veterans with VA service-connected disabilities. The VR&E program is an employment oriented program that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. VISIT Website.
VA Education Benefits
VA provides education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, the Dependents Educational Assistance Program and the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve. Additional information can be obtained from a VA Regional Office, online or through the toll-free number. Telephone: (888) 442-4551 |
VISIT Website.
VA Home Loan Guaranty
Veterans can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. VA guaranteed loans are offered by private lenders, like banks, savings & loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home for personal occupancy. Veterans are exempted from a down payment.
Telephone: (888) 244-6711 | VISIT Website.
VA Insurance
There are currently eight life insurance programs with four programs open to new issues. Two of the programs (Service Disabled Veterans Insurance and Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance) are specifically designed for disabled veterans. The other two programs (Servicemembers Group Life Insurance and Veterans Group Life Insurance) are administered by a private company under the supervision of VA. Telephone: (800) 669-8477 | VISIT Website.
State Benefits
New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs
New York State Benefits include Blind Annuity, Tax Exemptions, Education Assistance, Burial Benefits, State Veteran Nursing Homes, Counseling Services, certain Licenses and Permits, and State Medals.
Telephone: (888)838-7697 or (888)-VETS-NYS | VISIT Website.
New Jersey Veterans Affairs
New Jersey State Benefits include Catastrophic Entitlement, Tax Exemptions, Education Assistance, State Veteran Cemeteries, State Veteran Nursing Homes, certain Licenses and Permits, and State Medals.
Telephone: Veterans Benefits Hotline (888)-8NJ-VETS | VISIT Website.
Counseling & Support
VA Medical Centers
VA Medical Centers provide a comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient and residential mental health services for veterans to support post-war adjustment in the community. Individual or group counseling, and medication management services are available for veterans:
- Residential and outpatient programs for post traumatic stress disorder
- Residential and outpatient programs for substance abuse disorders
- Vocational Rehabilitation counseling
- Inpatient and outpatient programs for adjustment disorders, depression or other mental health concerns
- Day treatment and community outreach programs for veterans with serious mental illness
- Behavioral treatments to address lifestyle concerns (i.e. smoking cessation, stress management, sleep problems, etc.)
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics provide individual services and medication management for veterans seeking support for post-deployment adjustment. Counseling staff at these clinics can also provide assessment and referral to more specialized services in the community or at the nearest VA Medical Center. Locate a VA Medical Center or Clinic.
VISIT Website.
Vet Centers
Vet Centers serve veterans and their families by providing professional readjustment counseling services to support post-war adjustment in the community. The Centers focus on counseling for military traumas, employment and family problems. Individual and group counseling is available for veterans and their families, including bereavement counseling for family members who have lost an active duty service member. Vet Centers also provide referral services for VA benefits and medical services, and act as a liaison with community agencies.
Northeast Region of Readjustment Counseling Services | Telephone: (800) 905-4675
Find a Local Vet Center: VISIT Website.
Vet Centers
NY Vet Centers
Albany Vet Center | 875 Central Avenue | Albany NY 12206 | (518) 438-2505
Babylon Vet Center | 116 West Main Street | Babylon , NY 11702 | (516) 661-3930
Bronx Vet Center | 130 West Kingsbridge Road Room 7A-13 | Bronx, New York 10468 | (718) 367-3500
Brooklyn Vet Center | 25 Chapel Street, Ste. 604 | Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 624-2765
Buffalo Vet Center | 564 Franklin St. | Buffalo NY 14202 | (716) 882-0505
Harlem Vet Center | 55 West 125th Street, 7th Floor | New York , NY 10027 | (212) 426-2200
Manhattan Vet Center | 32 Broadway, Suite 200 | New York, New York 10004 | (212) 742-9591
Queens Vet Center | 75-108 91 Avenue, Apt 1AR | Woodhaven, NY 11421 | (718) 296-2871
Rochester Vet Center | 1867 Mount Hope Avenue | Rochester, NY 14620 | (585) 232-5040
Syracuse Vet Center | 716 East Washington St. | Syracuse, NY 13210 | (315) 478-7127
White Plains Vet Center | 300 Hamilton Ave | White Plains , NY 10601 | (914) 682-6250
Staten Island Vet Center | 150 Richmond Terrace | Staten Island, NY 10301 | (718) 816-4499
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was created within the Department of Veterans Affairs to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America's veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders.
Telephone: PTSD Information Line at (802) 296-6300 | VISIT Website.
Housing
VA Home Loan Guaranty Service
Veterans can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. VA guaranteed loans are offered by private lenders, like banks, savings & loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home for their own personal occupancy. Veterans are exempted from a down payment.
Telephone: (888) 244-6711 | VISIT Website.
HUD Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET)
HUDVET provides housing for homeless, disabled and low-to-moderate income veterans, and general homeownership assistance. Telephone: (800) 998-9999 | VISIT Website.
National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
Provides help for homeless veterans nationwide.
Telephone: (800) 838-4357 | VISIT Website.
VA Homeless Veterans Program
VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. VISIT Website.
VA Homeless Veteran Services
Every VA Medical Center has a Homeless Veterans Services Coordinator who is responsible for helping homeless or at-risk veterans.
Locate a VA Facility - VISIT Website.
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs by State: See Document
Every VA Regional Office also has a Homeless Veterans Services Coordinator who can be contacted through the VA’s toll free number. Telephone: (800) 827-1000
VISN 2 Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Programs
Telephone: (585) 393-7422 | VISIT Website.
VISN 3 Homeless Veterans Treatment Programs
Telephone: (888) 725-3000 | VISIT Website.
Veterans Haven Transitional Housing (New Jersey)
Telephone: (609) 561-0269
Education
VA Education Benefits
VA provides education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, the Dependents Educational Assistance Program and the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve. Additional information can be obtained from a VA Regional Office, online or through the toll-free number.
Telephone: (888) 442-4551 | VISIT Website.
VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications)
Apply for VA benefits online, including education benefits.VISIT Website
New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs Bureau of Veterans Education
Reviews and approves educational programs for veterans wanting to use their GI Bill benefits. Call to find out which schools are approved and how to get program approval to use GI Bill benefits.
Albany: (518) 474-7607 | NYC: (212) 564-8414
Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
New York State agency that helps people pay for college, information on available veterans tuition awards, awards for children of Veterans. Telephone: (888) 697-4372 | VISIT Website.
FinAid Military Student Aid
Includes information about student financial aid resources for veterans and their dependents. VISIT Website
Employment
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides training and rehabilitation for veterans with VA service-connected disabilities. The VR&E program is an employment oriented program that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. VISIT Website
US Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
Provides counseling, testing, placement, and other employment assistance.
Telephone: (866)-4-USA-DOL | VISIT Website.
NYS Department of Labor Veterans’ Services
Telephone: (800) 342-3358 | VISIT Website.
Find a find a NYS Veterans' Employment Representative in your area: VISIT Website.
New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs
Telephone: (888) VETS-NYS | VISIT Website.
NYS Job Vacancies
VISIT Website.
Hire Vets First
Comprehensive career website veterans seeking employment or for hiring veterans of America's military.
Telephone: (877) 872-JOBS | VISIT Website.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
Prohibits discrimination against persons because of their service in the Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, or other uniformed services. USERRA prohibits an employer from denying any benefit of employment on the basis of an individual’s membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services. USERRA also protects the right of veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and certain other members of the uniformed services to reclaim their civilian employment after being absent due to military service or training. | VISIT Website.
Helmets to Hardhats
Helps transitioning military personnel, Guardsmen, and Reservists find the best careers and apprenticeships in the construction and building industries.
Telephone: (866) 741-6210 | VISIT Website.
Troops to Teachers
A U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.
Telephone: (800) 231-6242 | VISIT Website
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Provides services and support to veterans who are starting a small business
Telephone: (800) 827-5722 | VISIT Website.
VetBiz: Center for Veterans Enterprise
Federal Web Portal for Veterans in Business
Telephone: (866) 584-2344 | VISIT Website.
General Assistance / Advocacy
New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs
Telephone: (888)838-7697 or (888)-VETS-NYS | VISIT Website
Locate a State or County Veteran Service Officer: VISIT Website
New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: VISIT Website
Directory of National Veterans Service Organizations: VISIT Website
Local Veteran Service Organizations:
Buffalo Regional Office Area
American Legion | Telephone: (716) 857-3361 | VISIT Website.
Paralyzed Veterans of America | Telephone: (716) 857-3352 | VISIT Website.
AMVETS | Telephone: (716) 857-3350 | VISIT Website.
United Spinal Association | Telephone: (716) 857-3337 | VISIT Website.
Disabled American Veterans | Telephone: (716) 857-3359 - Buffalo | (315) 423-5542 - Syracuse | VISIT Website.
Veterans of Foreign Wars | Telephone: (716) 857-3348 - Buffalo | (315) 423-5539 - Syracuse | VISIT Website.
Military Order of the Purple Heart | Telephone: (716) 857-3346 | VISIT Website.
Vietnam Veterans of America | Telephone: (716) 857-3344 | VISIT Website.
New York Regional Office Area
American Legion | Telephone: (212) 807-3066 | VISIT Website.
Paralyzed Veterans of America | Telephone: (212) 807-4047 | VISIT Website.
Blinded Veterans Association | Telephone: (212) 807-3173 | VISIT Website.
United Spinal Association | Telephone: (212) 807-3163 | VISIT Website.
Catholic War Veterans | Telephone: (212) 807-3161 | VISIT Website.
Veterans of Foreign Wars | Telephone: (212) 807-3164 | VISIT Website.
Disabled American Veterans | Telephone: (212) 807-3157 | VISIT Website.
Vietnam Veterans of America | Telephone: (212) 807-3419 | VISIT Website.
Military Order of the Purple Heart | Telephone: (212) 807-3989 | VISIT Website.
