Services

Federal Benefits

War-Time Service

Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Under law, VA recognizes these war periods:

Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.

World War I: April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918.

World War II: December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946

Korean War: June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955

Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975

Gulf War: August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Disability Compensation

We assist veterans who are applying for disability compensation for service-connected injuries or illnesses. We can also help you reopen an existing claim when your injury or illness worsens.

It should be noted: The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and separation incentive payments known as SSB (Special Separation Benefits) and VSI (Voluntary Separation Incentives) AFFECTS the amount of VA compensation paid to disabled veterans.

Pension

Veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled may be eligible for monetary support if they have 90 days or more of active duty military service. The discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable. The permanent and total disability must be for reasons other than the veteran’s own willful misconduct. Payments are made to qualified veterans to bring their total income, including other retirement and Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. Unreimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income. Veterans for a period of war who are aged 65 or older and meet service and income requirements are also eligible to receive a pension, regardless of current physical conditions.

The form for both Compensation and Pension Claims is a VA Form 21-526. A PDF version is available at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526-ARE.pdf

Health Care Enrollment

To receive health care, veterans must be enrolled with the VA. Enrollment may be accomplished by submitting a VA Form 10-10EZ along with a copy of your DD214 (Separation from Service) to the Eligibility Department of the VA Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. Healthcare through the VA Medical Center is limited to veterans – survivors and dependents are not eligible.

Eligibility: Since January 2003, veterans who have service-connected disability rated at 0%, no service-connected disabilities, or a nonservice-connected disability are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system unless they fall within a means test/net worth threshold. It is strongly suggested that veterans apply for enrollment and let the VA Health Care determine eligibility.

Education Enrollment

Eligibility: VA educational benefits may be used while the service member is on active duty or after the service member’s separation from active duty with a fully honorable military discharge. Eligibility generally expires 10 years after the service member’s discharge.

The form for Education Enrollment is VA Form 22-1990. A PDF version is available at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22_1990.pdf

Requests for Military Medals and Records

We assist veterans who are requesting replacement medals, service medical records, and/or military separation documents.

NOTE for those requesting Replacement Medals: National Personnel Records Center has stated that the military has made a decision to limit the issuance of veterans’ medals that have been discharged for over 62 years. According to the National Personnel Records Center, this decision is based on the belief that, for over 62 years, the military has more than met is obligation to veterans and their descendents by issuing and reissuing medals and that the military cannot provide medals in perpetuity to all future descendents of military veterans.

The form for Requests for Military Medals and Records is an SF 180. A PDF version is available at www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

Home Loan Guaranty

VA loan guaranties are made to service members, veterans, reservists, and unmarried surviving spouses for the purchase of homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes and for refinancing home loans. VA guarantees part of the total loan, permitting the purchaser to obtain a mortgage with a competitive interest rate, even without a down payment, if the lender agrees. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. Applicants must have a good credit rating, have sufficient income to support the mortgage payments and agree to live in the property as their primary residence.

To apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, complete VA Form 26-1880. A PDF version is available at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-26-1880-ARE.pdf

Pennsylvania State Benefits

Emergency Assistance

Veterans’ emergency assistance provides financial aid in an emergency on a temporary basis (not to exceed a three-month period) to veterans, their widows, infant children, or dependents who reside in Pennsylvania for the necessities of life (food, dairy, fuel, & clothing). An honorably discharged veteran must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during established war service dates. Upon recent death of a veteran, their spouse or orphan children are eligible provided the veteran would have qualified prior to his/her death.

Real Estate Tax Exemption

Any honorably discharged veteran who is a resident of the Commonwealth shall be exempt from the payment of all real estate taxes levied upon any building, including the land upon which is stands, occupied by the veteran as their primary residence, provided that as a result of wartime military service the veteran has a 100% service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; that such dwelling is owned by the veteran solely or jointly with their spouse and the FINANCIAL NEED for exemption from payment of real estate taxes has been determined by the State Veterans Commission. Upon death of the qualified veteran, the exemption passes onto the unmarried surviving spouse, if the need can be shown.

Franklin County Benefits for Veterans

Burial Benefits: Headstone/Marker Allowance

Franklin County pays burial benefits for war-time veterans and the widows at the time of death; and the installation of a standard government headstone or marker. The amount of the benefit is $100.00 towards the burial and $50.00 towards the installation of the headstone/marker. It is customary for the funeral homes, in Franklin County, to file for this benefit at the time of the veteran’s/widow’s death.

Grave Flags/Flag Holder Markers

Franklin County also supplies flag holders/flags for cemetery plots of deceased war-time veterans within the county. The flags holders are placed at the grave at the time of burial. Every year Franklin County purchases and distributes, through volunteer coordination, flags for honoring veterans for Memorial Day; however, those flags are then taken off the graves the first business day after the July 4th holiday (at the discretion of the individual cemeteries).

Operation Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet

Operation Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet is a program dedicated to helping Franklin County veterans with service-connected disabilities lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives. This program benefits the veteran, the dog, and the community. Service dogs have proven to be highly valuable in assisting veterans with all types of disabilities, including, but not limited to, diabetes, seizure disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and psychiatric disorders, stability and traumatic brain injury. For more information click here...

Operation Rucks to Reins

Operation Rucks to Reins provides a form of equine-assisted therapy that incorporates horses and horse care into a veteran's therapy regimen. Rucks to Reins utilizes the expertise of Franklin County's Penn State Extension staff to offer participants a three-component program that includes ground lessons, therapeutic riding and therapeutic driving and lets veterans develop a number of physical and relational skills in a non-threatening and motivational environment. Contact us for more information.

Medical Transportation

rabbittransit offers Franklin County veterans free shuttle service to the Hagerstown VA Clinic and Martinsburg VA Hospital from Chambersburg and Greencastle every Wednesday.

Veterans can call 1-800-632-9063 (press option #3) to schedule a trip. Riders who are already registered in the rabbittransit system can also make a reservation online at www.FindMyRidePA.org. Reservations should be made by 1:30 pm the day before the appointment.

Veterans are required to complete an application to use this service. For more information or to download an application, click here.

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