(860) 584-6299

FAX (860) 584-3827

The Veterans/Handicapped Service Office acts as a liaison between local veterans, their dependents and survivors, and the Veteran Administration in providing assistance in determining eligibility for federal, state and local benefits. This office services Bristol, Forestville and Burlington areas. Veteran benefits are not automatic, therefore, a request for benefits must be made by first filing an application. There are approximately 5,000 veterans in the City and this office supplies the following services:

Soldiers', Sailors' and Marines' Fund – This program is designed to help eligible veterans who have no other means of assistance to temporarily fund daily living expenses rent, fuel, utilities, and/or medical, burial or other expenses. This applies to any veteran who has an honorable discharge and served ninety days during wartime service.

Veterans Administration Hospital – This office assists in obtaining medical cards for treatments and prescriptions at a VA facility. In order to receive prescriptions at a VA facility, medications must be prescribed by a VA physician. Visits are made to hospitals to take depositions for claims for Veterans Administration compensation; for Soldiers', Sailors' and Marines' Fund; and prosthesis.

Department of Veterans Affairs – Claims, as well as appeals, are sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs for adjudication. All veterans who have served ninety days during the wartime are entitled to a $1,500 tax abatement. The exemption of $1,500 also applies to surviving spouses. Veterans who may be entitled to a tax exemption must have their DD214 discharge papers on file with the City Clerk's Office on or before September 30^th to receive an exemption for the October 1^st Grand List. All other veterans with a service connected disability ranging from 10%-100% will receive a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs that must be presented to the Assessor's Office for a local tax exemption. Veterans or their surviving spouse with an income (for 1999) of less than $28,900 (married) or $23,600 (single) may qualify for additional benefits. Qualifying income means adjusted gross income as determined for the Federal Income Tax plus any other income not included in such adjusted gross income. Application for Additional Veteran Exemption must be completed at the Assessor's Office no later than September 30^th. Informational articles are published in the local newspaper to inform veterans who have ninety days wartime service that they are entitled to an exemption. Legislation has changed the eligibility dates for tax exemption for Vietnam veterans who have served in the armed forces ninety days or more during the Vietnam crisis. The old dates were from August 5, 1964 ending May 7, 1975. The revised dates are December 22, 1961 to May 7, 1975.

Disabled veterans who receive the veteran's property tax exemption from their City or Town Hall, and receive eligibility notices directly from the U.S. Department of Veterans''Affairs must take their state form (#20-5455) to their local Assessor's Office. Disabled veterans who have reached the age of 65 will not receive a VA form but should notify their local Assessor's Office of their date of birth. Forms must be filed prior to October 1^st.

Benefits Administration Processing – Insurance, name changes, updating of medical records, obtaining medals, etc. are the responsibility of the local office. Once forms are completed, they are sent to the St. Louis, Missouri Processing Center. Support services are provided for wakes and burials. Verification of insurance policies are done through the Veterans Administration Office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Forms and information concerning handicapped parking permits for eligible persons can be obtained through the local Veteran Office or may be obtained in the local City Clerk Office. This office will also direct you to the correct agency to provide information for persons with disabilities.

Any veteran that served ninety days during wartime service may be eligible for pension benefits. The forms are processed in the local office and sent to the Department of Veterans Administration in Hartford.

Veterans who have a 20% disability or more may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation.

Under the Montgomery GI Bill, armed services personnel can contribute $100 per month for a twelve month period and the Federal Government will contribute $200 per month for the same period for educational purposes.

It should again be noted that veterans' benefits are not automatic and application must be made for them. As a result of frequent legislative changes and the inherent complexities of the benefit application process, it is difficult for the average disabled veteran or aging veteran or widow to understand and complete the detailed and intricate forms. The Veterans Office is available for assistance. This office is kept current by making visits to the Veterans Administration in Hartford to obtain changes, updates and new legislation as it occurs. Information may also be obtained from the Hartford Veterans Administration Office at 1-800-827-1000.