Help with Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a myriad of benefits to veterans. As a general rule, a veteran is defined as someone who served in the armed forces of the United States. Reservists and National Guard are generally not considered veterans for benefits purposes except under certain special conditions. For some benefits, up to 2 years or more of service is required.
Below are service officers, advocates, and appeals agents who can help you with your veterans benefits in your area.
Field Service Officers are representatives of the Senior Veterans Service Alliance in specific locations around the country. An FSO is often an attorney, financial planner or care manager and in this capacity will also help senior veteran families complete a life resource plan. The FSO has received extensive training and passed a rigorous examination in order to understand veterans benefits, the claims process and appeals. All field service officers are accredited through VA. The SVSA carefully monitors the activities of FSO's to make sure that all stages of preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims are compliant. Because of compliance issues with accreditation and fees, the SVSA will only process initial claims on behalf of Field Service Officers or the persons they are helping. We will not process claims that are sent to us by a third-party who is not one of our representatives on behalf of any person expressing an intent to file a claim with VA.
Advocates may or may not be accredited through VA. Non-accredited advocates understand veterans benefits but are not allowed to help in the filing of a claim. All advocates can answer questions relating to specific benefits and can direct a potential claimant to an individual or organization capable of filing a claim. These individuals do not charge a fee related to filing a claim.
The individuals listed here are accredited through VA to represent veterans in an appeal of an adverse decision. These individuals have the expertise and a desire to help veterans with an appeal. VA does allow the charging of a fee for an appeal by an accredited agent or accredited attorney after a Notice of Disagreement has been filed.
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- About Accreditation & Fees
- Appealing a bad VA Decision
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- Find Hospice Care
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- Help with Care Management
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- Help with Estate Planning
- Help with Family Disputes
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- Help with Medicaid Planning
- Help with Tax Planning
- Service Connected Disabilities
- State VA Nursing Homes
- VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
- VA Burial Benefits
- VA Healthcare System
- VA Help - Surviving Spouse
- VA Home Renovation Grants
- VA Long Term Care Benefits
- VA Pays Family for Eldercare
VA Forms
This section provides downloadable files of the most commonly used VA Forms for senior veterans seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. View the Forms...
Veteran & Eldercare Books
The SVSA offers the public 2 books: "The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning" and "How to Apply for the Aid and Attendance Benefit". These publications provide timely information to help senior veterans and their families prepare for long term care.
Become a Member of the Senior Veterans Service Alliance
Become a member of the SVSA and help our organization support the needs of senior veterans who served their country in a time of need. Learn more about the benefits of membership.