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:
-Death/burial benefits
-Education benefits
-Home loan certificates
-Non-service connected pension
-Obtaining military records and discharges
-Service connected compensation
-State bonus program
-Survivors benefits
-VA health care
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 information (DD Form 214, Report of Separation) with the Union County Register of Deeds Office.
The Veterans Crisis Line has a new number: Dial 988 then Press 1.
Because VA administers the Veterans Crisis Line through Lifeline’s national network, access to the Veterans Crisis Line is updated by this transition.
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:
May252023SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
May182023SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
April62023SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.pdf
https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/publicaffairs/News%20Bulletins/2023/January122023SDDVASDDMNewsUpdate.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
OTHER RESOURCES:
Take a look at the November newsletter! Sanford has now offered a new program tailoring your medication to fit your body’s needs. It’s called Imogenetics and it’s free to veterans! Also, 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