Veteran Services
209 East Main Street, Suite B110
Elk Point, SD 57025
Phone: (605) 356-2181
Cell: (605) 670-8116
Fax: (605) 356-3356
Email: [email protected]
Veterans Service Officer: Lisa Schenzel
Union County Veterans Service Office Office hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.(For immediate assistance with a VA claim when this office is closed, please contact the South Dakota Division of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-316-8387, extension 9-6869.)
Responsibilities: The Union County Veterans Service Office (VSO) educates and assists veterans and their dependents and/or survivors in applying for veterans’ benefits including benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of South Dakota. Referrals are also made to other agencies that may have potential benefits for veterans. Areas of primary activity are:
-Filing a Claim or Appeal for a Service-Related Disability or Pension
-Applying for VA Healthcare -Burial Benefits and State Veterans Cemetery
-South Dakota Veterans Bonus Program -State Veterans Home
-Education Benefits including Voc Rehab -Veterans Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility
-Obtaining Military Records and Discharge -Survivor Benefits
Additional State Benefits for Disabled Veterans such as: Property Tax Exemption (100% P&T), Hunting and Fishing Licenses (40%) and State Park Admission
To Make an Appointment: Please call (605) 356-2181 to schedule an appointment. For veterans unable to come to the office because of disability or health reasons, arrangements can be made to visit the veteran. When meeting with the VSO, please refer to the Appointment Check List for any supporting documentation that you may need to bring with you.
Discharge Information: Veterans are encouraged to register their discharge document (DD Form 214, NG22, Report of Separation) with their local County Register of Deeds Office.
https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/7/2024_NVWVD_Poster_Hi-res.pdf
The Veterans Crisis Line has a new number: Dial 988 then Press 1. Veterans and their loved ones will still be able to call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, and text 838255 to reach responders.
NEW PACT ACT INFO AND ADDITIONAL AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVES AND AREAS:
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
Current VA news letter click below:
May22024SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
March212024SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE AND VA HEALTH CARE? Please click on one of the links below:
https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/publicaffairs/News%20Bulletins/2023/March162023SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
https://www.medicareplans.com/va-military-and-medicare-benefits-resource/#how_to_enroll_in_medicare
https://www.caring.com/caregivers/veterans-benefits/
OTHER RESOURCES: Thank you Veteran’s for all you do and to the families for your crucial role in the military life as well. We salute!
http://va.gov
vetaffairs.sd.gov
vetaffairs.sd.gov/benefits/default.aspx
vetaffairs.sd.gov/veteranshome/default.aspx
benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
va.gov/education/
https://www.intelligent.com/veterans-guide-to-vocational-and-apprenticeship-programs/
https://www.memorycare.com/veterans/
Click link below for Appointment Checklist:
https://unioncountysd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Appointment-Check-List.docx