» Mission » Veterans Department » Office Hours » Massachusetts Department of Veterans’Services » Offices and Contacts

The Department of Veterans Services is a state mandated service, which provides services to the veteran's, veteran's spouses and their dependents. Its authority is derived from chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth. On July 1, 1999, the Town of Shrewsbury entered into a District (D26) with the towns of Grafton and Northborough as part of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Veterans Services.

The Veteran's Officer for the Town of Shrewsbury is appointed by the three towns as the District Director of Veterans Services, Veterans Officer and Burial Agent. The Department is supervised by the Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Services and in part by the state for all funds expended.

Richard Perron Veterans' Agent

Assistance is also rendered in the matter of pension, financial need, filing claims with the Veterans affairs or Social Security, education benefits, home loans, hospitalization and medical care, as well as the time of death of a veteran.

The office requests that all veterans who serviced during a wartime period file a copy of their discharge and DD214 with the Veterans Officer.

Additionally, the office is open to any veteran or service personnel who wished to talk about any matter pertaining to his or her well being. Visitation will be made to those veterans or veteran spouses unable to visit the office.

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Mission

The Department of Veterans Services is a State mandated service, which provides services to veterans, veteran spouses and their dependents. Its authority derived from Chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth. On July 1, 1999, the Town of Northborough entered a District (D26) with the Towns of Grafton and Shrewsbury as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Veterans Services. Veteran Officer for town of Northborough, appointed by the three towns as the District Director of Veterans Services, Veterans Officer and Burial Agent. The Department is supervised by the office of the Secretary of Veterans Services and in part by the State for all funds expended. Tom Kelley being sworn in as new Secretary of Department of Veteran services. --- top ^

Veterans Department

The basic concept of creating fiscal assistance to veterans, veteran spouses and dependents had it roots in legislation established in 1861. It was also a concept that became a Legislative way and method of paying to its veterans. Services of this Department are available to all Northborough veterans, veteran’s spouses and their dependents. Assistance is also rendered in matters for a pension, financial need, filing claims with the Veterans Administration or Social Security, educational benefits, home loans, hospitalization and medical care, as well as at the time of the death of a veteran. The Department requests that all veterans file a copy of their discharge and DD214 with the Veterans Officer. Additionally, the Department is open to any veteran or service personnel who wishes to talk about any matter pertaining to his or her well being. --- top ^

Office Hours Department of Veterans Services

SHREWSBURY THURSDAY 08:30 AM TO 3:45 PM ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY CALL DISTRICT VETERAN DIRECTOR and/or OFFICER. NORTHBOROUGH TUESDAY 08:30 AM TO 3:45PM FRIDAY 08:30AM TO 12:30PM GRAFTON MONDAY 12:30 PM TO 3:45 PM WEDNESDAY 08:30 AM TO 3:45 PM --- top ^

Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans and provide then with quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need. BENEFITS AND SERVICES HISTORY Since 1861, from its first commitment to Civil War veterans, their spouses and their dependents, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts had demonstrated solid concern and compassion for those men and women who have displayed sacrifice, valor, and duty when their state and nation called upon them. The Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and supports a network and benefits to ensure that none of the 600,000 veterans in Massachusetts today, who served in time of war, nor their 1.2 million dependents will go hungry, be homeless, or be medically deprived. Following World War II, the Legislature redrafted Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L), Chapter 115 establishing the position of Secretary of Veterans’ Services, who has the responsibility for the proper administration of M.G.L, Chapter 115. This program provides the necessary support for the veterans with the dignity and the sensitivity to which they are entitled, in view of the sacrifices they have made for their country. The dependents of the deceased veterans are also provided with the same benefits. It is the Veterans’ Service Officer to whom the unemployed, the indigent, the disabled, the ill, or the veterans otherwise in need, first apply for assistance. Appointed by the mayors or selectmen of the cities and towns in Massachusetts, the Veterans’ Service Officers interview the applicants, determine their eligibility, and file requests for assistance with the Commissioner of Veterans’ Services. Veterans’ Service Officers are available to anyone seeking information or assistance in the area of veteran’s benefits and services. They may be reached at their city/town halls. The support that the Commonwealth gives to a deserving segment of our population through the locally based veterans’ assistance programs is unlike that of any other in the nation of the envy of other states. “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that, no man shall have.” – Theodore Roosevelt --- top ^

Offices and Contacts

Regional Boston 02203 JFK Federal Bldg., Government Center Local: 227-4600 Statewide: 1-800-827-1000 Towns of Fall River & New Bedford, counties of Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, Bristol, pat of Plymouth served by Providence, R.I., RO) VVA Service Reps Thomas G. Kelley, Secretary c/o Department of Veterans Services 600 Washington Street Suite 1100 Boston, MA 02111 Richard S. Earley c /o Department of Veterans Services – Mass. 600 Washington Street Suite 1100 Boston, MA 02111 Ph (617) 727-3678, Ext. 113 State Outreach Centers Gardner Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center 268 Central Street Gardner, MA 01440 Cheryl J. Gallant, Exec. Director Ph (508) 632-9601 Fx (508) 632-9857 Transition Houses Worcester Central MA Shelter for Homeless Veterans 69 Grove Street Worcester, MA 01605 Tara O’connor, Exec. Director Ph (508) 791-5348 Fx (508) 791-5296 Gardener Gardner Transitional Housing (Unity House) 52 South Main Street Gardner, MA 01440 Geraldine Fessler, Exec. Director Ph (508) 630-2427 Clinics Worcester 01605 605 Lincoln Street, (508)-856-0104 Medical Centers Bedford 01730 200 Springs Rd., (617) 275-7500 Boston 02130 150 S. Huntington Ave., (617)232-9600 Brockton 02401 940 Belmont St., (508) 583-4500 Northampton 01060 421 N. Main St., (413) 584-4040 West Roxbury 02132 1400 VFW Pkwy., (617) 323-7700 Vet Centers Worcester 01605 605 Lincoln St., (508) 856-7428 National Cemeteries Massachusetts Bourne 02532, (508) 563-7113/4 Toll-Free Service Benefits Information and Assistance Each VA benefit has its own eligibility requirements. For more information about specific benefits, you may visit the nearest VA office or call: 1-800-827-1000   Special Toll-Free Numbers Health Benefits 877-222-8387 Education Benefits 888-442-4551 VA Life Insurance 800-669-8477 Office of SGLI 800-419-1473 CHAMPVA 800-733-8387 Gulf War 800-749-8387 Headstones (Status of claims only) 800-697-6947 Telecommunication Device for Deaf (TDD) 800-829-4833 Direct Deposit www.state.ma.us/veterans/ Apply for Compensation, Pension or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits on line: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/ VA Web-Site For more information and links to our regional offices, visit our web-site at: www.va.gov Look at our specialty pages: Compensation and Pension Benefits Education – Environmental Exposure Health Care – Home loans – Insurance Minority Veterans – Women Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

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