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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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) 367-9333 Ext. 539 Or www.mass.gov/treasury 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: $1000.00 (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

Other Bonuses Vietnam Korean WWII Contact the State Treasurer 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 continental limits of the United States $ 300.00 WWII One day to six months active service $ 100.00 Foreign service & Merchant Marines $ 300.00 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) 367-9333 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.

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 http://www.mass.gov/rmv/veteran/vet.htm

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

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”

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Additional Resources MassVetsAdvisor Web Portal: www.massvetsadvisor.org Veterans’ Laws and Benefits: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetidx.htm Attorney General’s Veterans’ Resource Guide: http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/civilrights/vets_guide_120508.pdf

■ ▲   ▲- 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

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: 617-210-5480 www.twitter.com/massdvs www.Facebook.com/massdvs YOUR LOCAL VETERANS’ Services Officer