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Department Head Photo
Nelson Eddy Rivera
Director

Veterans Service Agency
22 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Voice (845) 486-2060   Fax (845) 486-6452
Click here for assistance through Your Dutchess Direct


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Mission Statement horizontal line

Veterans Service Agency Mission Statement imageDutchess County Veterans Service Agency's primary objective is to ensure that our county veterans and their families receive the maximum benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies at all levels of government.

The benefits that our veterans and  families may be entitled to are not automatic;  they must apply for them.  A professional analysis on a personalized basis is the best assurance that they will receive each benefit earned from the veteran's Honorable Service to our country.


Office Locations and Business Hours

223 Main St., Beacon NY
Phone (845) 486-2060
Hours by appointment only

131 County House Rd., Millbrook NY
Phone (845) 486-2060
Hours by appointment only

2881 Church St., Pine Plains, NY (VA Medical Clinic)
Phone (845) 486-2060
Hours by appointment only

A Message From the Director:

Our veterans answered the call of duty and served our country when it needed them, now we are here for them and their family.  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs accredits our County Veterans Service Officers, and as such we are authorized to present claims for further development, institute appeals of VA decisions and follow through to final disposition with representatives at the New York Regional Office and VA’s Washington Headquarters.  As an accredited representative, we offer personalized service not available from other agencies.  Each case is based on its merits and we carefully screen applicants before filing for benefits.  Our veterans have earned benefits by their Honorable Service to our country.  So we ask every veteran and/or family member to come and visit us. We are here to serve him or her, as they have already served our country.

Nelson Eddy Rivera, Director
President,  County Veterans' Service Officers Association of the State of New York
Veterans Service Officer (American Legion Accredited)

"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his  orphan . . . "
   - Abraham Lincoln

Services and Benefits Available

Please visit our office so we can help you determine which benefits and assistance you and your family may be entitled to:

Assistance in filing claims and referrals for:

  • Illnesses associated with exposure to Agent Orange
  • Persian Gulf Hazards
  • Service-Connected Disability
  • Non Service-Connected Pension
  • Educational Benefits
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Medical and Dental Benefits
  • Home Loan Guaranty
  • VA Life Insurance
  • Veteran Status for Merchant Marines

Burial benefits:

  • Headstone or Marker
  • Burial/Plot Allowance
  • Presidential Memorial Certificates

Survivor's benefits:

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  • Death Pension
  • VA Life Insurance Claims
  • Completion of Annual Eligibility Verification Reports

Assistance in applying for the following New York State benefits:

  • Blind Annuity
  • Real Property Tax Exemption
  • New York State Property Tax Exemption

We also assist with:

  • Filing of Discharge Papers with County Clerk
  • Replacing Military Records (Discharge Papers)
  • Application for Medals (NYS & Federal)
  • Assistance in upgrading or correcting Military Discharges
  • Referral to other benefit agencies

The veteran and his/her family should visit our office as soon as possible with their original DD-214, WDAGO 53-55, or NAVPERS 533 (i.e., Military Separation Papers) since some benefits have a time limit from day of separation.  If you have misplaced your Military Separation Papers or do not have the original, we will obtain them for you.

It is our sincere desire to protect and safeguard the rights and benefits of our county veterans.

Come in and see us.
We are here to serve you, as you have already
served your Country.

United States Military Purple Heart MedalUnited States Military Prisoner of War (POW) MedalUnited States Navy Distinguished Service MedalUnited States Coast Guard Distinguished Service MedalUnited States Air Force Distinguished Service MedalUnited States Army Distinguished Service Medal

 

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Last Updated: 7/30/2010