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Veterans Services

Introduction

Please understand this website is not meant to provide fully exhaustive information on Veterans benefits but rather empower the Veteran and/or their family to better comprehend the major benefits available.  

Please DO NOT attempt to file your claim on your own as our Counselors are experienced and well versed in Federal Statute, Code of Federal Regulation and the V.A. Manual Rewrite.

The Leon County Veterans Services Division is proud to represent claimants before the V.A. and welcome the opportunity to serve you.    Please contact our office at 850-606-1940 to schedule an appointment to discuss benefits to which you may be entitled in further detail.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Publication:

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors

Intent To File

If you have interest in completing an application for any of the benefits described below you want to ensure that at the very least an Intent to File Form is completed and submitted so we can get it to the VA by the end of the month (unless a fully developed claim is submitted).  You can also fax the Intent to File directly to the VA if you are unable to get it to us.  The VA fax number is 844-VACLAIM.  

We prefer to have the honor to complete this and every other part of the claim process on your behalf.  Just simply call 850-606-1940 and schedule an appointment.  Don't forget to review the information below.

For more information please review the Intent to File Fact Sheet and give us a call.

Service Connected Disability Compensation

Disability Compensation is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active duty or active duty for training; or from injury, heart attack, or stroke that occurred during inactive duty training.

The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent).  Current rates for compensation can be found HERE.

Please review the Service Connected Disability Fact Sheet for more specific information.  As always, if you have interest in speaking with someone about available benefits, please contact our office at 850-606-1940 to schedule to sit down with a trained and experienced Veterans Benefits Counselor.  

The following fact sheets can help shed light on more specific information related to Service Connected Disability Compensation:

Military Sexual Trauma Fact Sheet

Presumption Fact Sheet

Special Monthly Compensation Fact Sheet

Related Benefits:

Auto and Specially Adapted Equipment Fact Sheet

Service Disabled Veterans Insurance

Specially Adapted Housing Fact Sheet

Vocational Rehabilitation

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Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Service Members who died on active duty, active duty for training, inactive duty training, or to survivors of Veterans who died from a service-related cause.

Parent DIC is an income-based benefit for parents of a Service Member or Veteran who died from a service-related cause.

DIC Fact Sheet

As always, if you have interest in speaking with someone about available benefits, please contact our office at 850-606-1940 to schedule to sit down with a trained and experienced Veterans Benefits Counselor.

Related Benefits:

Some spouses of Veterans who died as a result of service or service connected causes may have VA Home Loan eligibility.

There are two main GI Bill programs offering education assistance to some survivors and dependents of Veterans:

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is available for children and spouses of Service Members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001

 

 

 

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

 

 

Burial Benefits

Preparing in Advance

Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance however Pre-Need Eligibility Determinations for burial in a VA National Cemetery can be completed in advance.  Your military discharge papers (D.D. Form 214 or equivalent) are necessary for this process. We can assist you or your family with this process. 

At the time of need your family would contact a funeral home who will assist them with making burial arrangements at a cemetery.  You may wish to make pre-need arrangements with a funeral home.  This may also be a good time to contact us at 850-606-1940 to discuss the potential for survivors benefits that may be available.  

Burial in a National Cemetery

Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of 134 V.A. National Cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone, a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family.  Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances or reimbursement.  Cremated remains are buried or inured in National Cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

Tallahassee National Cemetery was dedicated on 22 May 2015 and is located at 5015 Apalachee Parkway east of Capital Circle.  If you are interested in reviewing the rules governing burial in a National Cemetery, including who is eligible, please click HERE.

Burial In a Private Cemetery

Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cemetery may include a Government headstone/medallion, a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family.  Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances or reimbursement.  There are not any VA benefits available to spouses buried in a private cemetery.

Burial at Sea

The National Cemetery Administration cannot provide burial at sea.

For More Assistance: If you have any questions about the Burial at Sea program, please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll-free at 1-866-787-0081. 

Active duty members and Veterans buried at sea may be eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker.

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VA eBenefits

eBenefits is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). It serves Veterans, Service members, Wounded Warriors, their family members, and their authorized caregivers.

eBenefits offers:

A free Basic or Premium Account.
A secure environment where you can safely access your personal information and perform self-service tasks.
Applications (online and PDF) for disability compensation and various benefits.
Employment resources.
A personalized Dashboard that you can customize to suit your preferences and information needs.
Access to the National Resource Directory, which enables you to find links to resource based on subjects that interest you.

If you would like to visit eBenefits click HERE.

Click HERE for instructions on how to request your Personnel File, including DD Form 214, using eBenefits (you must have served in the 1990's or after (depends upon your Branch of Service).