1. Good Morning – My name is ________________________ and my co-presenter is:
Keith Jones – Director of Operations for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services
Rosanne Frieri – Veterans’ Services Officer for the City of Pittsfield.
Our presentation today is:
The Nation’s Best State Veterans’ Benefits:
This workshop will provide an overview of state benefits such as emergency financial assistance, annuities for certain veterans and spouses, and bonuses for wartime service. Your point of access for these benefits is your local Veterans’ Agent who works at city/town hall.

2. Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s 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.
DVS is currently a Secretariat under the umbrella of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Tom Kelley, Medal Of Honor Recipient, is the current Secretary and has been in this position since 1999.
Veterans are eligible for a myriad of benefits from different groups within the Commonwealth.
Most benefits are either administered through the local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or can be accessed through the VSO.
There is a VSO in all 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
There are a few “Districts” where the VSO handles more than one community.
In these cases, the VSO is available via phone and will set up a time and place to meet.
Your town hall or city hall will have specific hours and the location of the VSO.

3. Some of the benefits provided:
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:
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 115 is the primary financial and medical reimbursement benefit for eligible veterans and dependents.
Chapter 115 benefits are “Needs” based. Some people call it “Means Tested”.
Benefits are based on a person’s income and assets.
Massachusetts is the only state in the Union that provides this type of financial benefit.
FY 2010 benefits paid out by the cities and towns is budgeted at approximately $35 Million of which DVS will reimburse the cities and towns at 75%.
Some of the benefits provided under C. 115: Next Slide Please

4. Chapter 115 Financial Assistance with Food, Housing, Clothing,
Medical and
Burial assistance
Employment Assistance
DVS – Through the local VSO can provide financial assistance for the following items:
Food
Housing
Fuel
Clothing
Medical
Burial Assistance
The VSO can provide certain employment assistance - Minimal

5. Financial Eligibility – Next Slide
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)
Basic Eligibility of the veteran:
Veteran must be discharged under honorable conditions. This is “Honorable”, “Under Honorable Conditions” or “General”.
Veteran must have served 90 days during time of war or 180 days during peace time
Dependants:
Un-remarried spouse (Widow or Widower)
Dependant child living with the veteran
Parent in certain cases if the parent is being supported by the veteran
Financial Eligibility – Next Slide

6. Financial Eligibility
Chapter 115
Financial Eligibility
Single
Married
Income
$1,915
$2,585
Assets
Less Than
$3,200
$7,000
General financial guidelines to determine eligibility.
Assets are considered “Cash” assets. House and car are not considered assets.
These are not cast in concrete… There is a certain amount of flexibility allowed by the VSO.
Generally speaking if a person meets these guidelines, they will be eligible for a minimum of medical reimbursements.
Medical benefits consist of
Med pt – B
Med pt – D
Medigap, BC/BS, Tufts, AARP medical insurance
All Dr. Co-pay
All Prescription co-pay
Dental – restrictions
Glasses
Hearing aids
Basically ALL medical reimbursements
Further calculations are required to determine benefit level.
This is for reference only.

7. Chapter 115
A widow or widower of a veteran is eligible for the same benefits as their veteran spouse.
CRITICAL POINT TO MAKE
A widow or widower has the exact same rights for benefits as the veteran.

8. Every city and town has a Veterans’ Service Officer.
Chapter 115
Contact your local city or town Director of Veterans’ Service/Veterans’ Service Officer.
Every city and town has a
Veterans’ Service Officer.
There are 351 Cities and Towns in the Commonwealth
There are approximately 250 VSOs
There are some VSOs that handle multiple communities.
The VSO is usually located in town hall or city hall.
If not then the town clerk / city clerk will have the contact information

9. 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

10. 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
DVS maintains two VA claims offices.
JFK Building in Boston
VA Offices in Providence RI
DVS provides representation services for VA claims
DVS files claims worth $28-$30 Million per year
These “Contact Offices” are for the convenience of the VSOs
The VSO works with the veteran to complete the paperwork
The VSO submits the paperwork to the Contact Offices who then submit it to the VA

11. VA Expenditures in Massachusetts as of 2013
Veteran Population
Total Expenditure
Compensation & Pension
Construction
Education & Vocational Rehabilitation/ Employment
General Operating Expenses
Insurance & Indemnities
Medical Care
374,808
$2,371,613,000
$985,893,000
$20,551,000
$192,974,000
$32,545,000
$41,234,000
$1,098,412,000

12. 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 assessor’s office to apply
This is a VERY Complex Issue best handled by the local VSO and Tax Assessor
Requirements:
Legal Resident of MA
Occupy the residence as of July 1 of the tax year
Service time must be credited to MA
10% or more disability
The Assessor has all the forms required to apply for the excemption

13. 100% Service Connected Veteran Gold Star Parent Gold Star Spouse
Annuity
$2,000 Per Year Annuity
100% Service Connected Veteran
Gold Star Parent
Gold Star Spouse
The annuity was originally enacted to provide a small stipend to blind and paraplegic veterans.
Changed to cover 100% disabled veterans, Gold Star Parents and Gold Star Spouses
Paid in $1,000 increments in February and August

14. Massachusetts Veterans’ Cemeteries Agawam Winchendon
VA National Cemetery in Bourne
Massachusetts maintains two veterans cemeteries
The cemeteries are located in Agawam (Due south of the college) and Winchendon, North Central part of the state
These cemeteries are free to veterans of Massachusetts
There is a small fee for children or spouses of veterans
Bourne is the location of the national cemetery – Also at no charge to the veteran
Massachusetts will also pay for the burial in a local cemetery of an INDIGENT veteran up to $2,000 for a funeral not to exceed $3,000 – Handled through the local VSO

15. Welcome Home
How to Apply:
Complete, date, and sign the application.
The Residence Certificate portion of the application must be signed and stamped by the appropriate official in the city or town where you resided prior to your latest enlistment/commission into the Armed Forces.
Submit a complete and clear photocopy of all #4 DD214s for service after 9/11/2001 if discharged.
Sign and date W-9 form.
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 (617) Ext. 539 Or
Eligibility Requirements:
Chapter 130 Acts of 2005: Six months domicile in Massachusetts immediately prior to latest enlistment/commission into the Armed Forces.
For active service on or after September 11, 2001.
Discharged/Active Service must be under Honorable conditions.
Payment Information:
Active service in Afghanistan or Iraq: $ (The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the countries Iraq and Afganistan, and the contigous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and Afganistan and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles)
Six continuous months of active service, state side or outside the continental limits of the United States service: $500.00

16. Other Bonuses Vietnam Korean WWII Contact the State Treasurer
In Country $
Or $
Korean
Ninety days state side service $
Six continuous months of active service $
One or more days outside continental limits of the United States $
WWII
One day to six months active service $
Foreign service & Merchant Marines $
Contact the State Treasurer
How to Apply:
The majority of World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans have already received their payments, so please call (617) ext 859 before submitting an application.
Complete, date, and sign the application.
Take or mail to the City or Town Clerk or Election Commissioner to secure Certification of residence where you were domiciled prior to entering the Armed Services.
Submit a complete and clear photocopy of ALL DD214s, which have been issued to you from 1940 to present.

17. License Plates Massachusetts has a LONG list of plates
Standard Plate – Funds go to Soldier’s Homes
Bronze Star and above – Plates are free
“V” Designation on Licenses
Go to Registry or the Registry Web-Site
The web site is the best place to review the various plates available.
Veteran & Military Plates
Bronze Star-Bronze Star Motorcycle-
Medal of Honor-Disabled Veteran
Distinguished Flying Cross-Ex-Prisoner of War-
Ex-Prisoner of War Motorcycle-Gold Star Family-
Legion of Valor-Legion of Valor Motorcycle-
National Guard-Pearl Harbor Survivor-
Pearl Harbor Survivor Motorcycle-Purple Heart-
Purple Heart Motorcycle-Silver Star-
Silver Star Motorcycle-Veteran-Veteran Motorcycle

18. Do You know a Woman Veteran?
32,000 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
Since this is a womens’ veterans conference, I want to FIRST talk about the Women’s Outreach program run by Heidi Krukenburg.
Veterans as a class have their own set of needs. Women veterans as a sub-set have their own unique and specialized needs.
To accomplish this task of getting specific information to the women veterans of Massachusetts, DVS has set up a premier outreach program. It is the best program catering to the distribution of information to women veterans anywhere in the country.
Out of the close to half million veterans in Massachusetts, nearly 28,000 are women.
The Outreach Coordinator and staff on average, provide over 220 referrals for assistance per year.
The number one tool at the disposal of the coordinator is the database used to track over 13,000 women veterans

19. 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 UMASS Boston
The database discussed in the previous slide is used to send out a newsletter twice a year to all the women veterans listed in the database
The coordinator is part of a Steering Committee that acts as a referral service for benefits
The Outreach Program Hosts the annual “Women are Veterans Too!”.
The event is held at the Statehouse where there is a presentation of the “Outstanding Woman Veteran Award”

20. 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.
Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE).
This group was set up in collaboration with the Department of Public Health as a referral service.
The team is set up to work with veterans and steer them towards the benefits available to the veteran.

21. SAVE
The program’s 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
The primary mission of the SAVE team is to prevent suicide.
The team member provide advocacy services to veterans in helping them get the benefits and services necessary to help the veteran.
Someone who is suffering from service connected injuries or mental health issues has enough road blocks in their way without the bureaucracy of government services.
The SAVE Team navigates through these bureaucracies to get the veteran the assistance they need as soon as possible.

22. Check out their YouTube Video: SAVE Saves Lives
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
The SAVE Team Coordinators work in the field to provide immediate assistance to veterans
Unlike other benefit providers, the SAVE Team interacts directly with the veteran to assit them with their benefits.

23. 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
DVS provides some funding to a range of non-profit organizations, which provide housing services to eligible veterans. Housing Services range from Emergency Homeless Shelters, group residences, to Single Room Occupancy (SRO) quarters. Among the DVS providers are the only Veterans' Hospice in the nation, and a program for veterans with Head Injuries. All require that residents maintain a sober and drug-free environment. Services are available to both male and female veterans. There are currently no homeless services available to veterans with families.
Massachusetts also provides for long-term care for veterans through two State Soldiers' Homes, these are located in Chelsea and Holyoke. 

24. Work Force Investment Boots to Business Initiative Assistance
The Department of Veterans' Services has partnered with DWD and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to provide mentorship and networking opportunities 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.

25. Additional Resources MassVetsAdvisor Web Portal:
Veterans’ Laws and Benefits:
Attorney General’s Veterans’ Resource Guide:

26. ■ ▲   ▲- Veteran Homeless Shelter 
▲- Veteran Homeless Shelter
■ - Veterans Transitional Housing Project
 - Local Veteran Outreach Center
 - VA Vet Center
 - MA Soldier Home
- VA Hospital
- VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
- One Stop Career Centers with Vet Rep

27. Contact Information
Web Site:
S.A.V.E Option #2
Web Portal:
Address: 600 Washington Street, 7th Floor
Boston MA 02111
Phone:
YOUR LOCAL VETERANS’ Services Officer