VeteransThe Blue Book A Western Massachusetts Guidebook for Veterans and their Families Provided by the Office of the Northwestern District Attorney Dear Veterans and Community Members: My heartfelt gratitude goes to all veterans for your commitment and sacrifice in serving our nation. In an effort to provide veterans in Western Massachusetts with a comprehensive guide of services and benefits available to them and their families, the Office of the Northwestern District Attorney and Veterans Justice Partnership have created The Blue Book. This guidebook offers contact and general information about local, state, and federal resources for Western Massachusetts veterans and their families. We hope this book makes the “alphabet soup” of veteran and community resources easier to understand and access. The Blue Book offers a comprehensive guide to help navigate the maze of services and benefits each veteran has justly earned. The Veterans Justice Partnership (VJP) is a community partnership helping court-involved veterans with treatment options, alternatives to incarceration, housing, employment, veterans’ benefits, and mental health services. Please directly contact VJP and Soldier On if you or a veteran you know needs help for a court-involved matter. The VJP/Soldier On toll free phone number is 1-866-406-8449. For detailed information on eligibility requirements, services, or benefits visit the specific websites or call the telephone numbers provided. You can download The Blue Book on-line by visiting northwesternda.org/sites/default/files/Veterans.pdf . Please forward this guidebook to anyone who might be able to use it. Thanks to the many service providers who help veterans every day. Special thanks to Marygrace Patterson and Soldier On who helped to bring The Blue Book to veterans, their families, and the Western Massachusetts community. It takes all of us working together, helping and advocating for veterans, to keep America’s promise to “Leave No Veteran Behind.” Sincerely, David E. Sullivan Northwestern District Attorney i | The Blue Book Quick Access Information Guide In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. Organization Website Telephone Page Dept. of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov 1(800)827-1000 p. 9 Dept. of Veterans Services www.mass.gov/veterans 1(617)210-5480 p. 5 eBenefits www.eBenefits.va.gov p. 14 Home Base Program www.homebaseprogram.org 1(617)724-5202 p. 49 MA Substance Abuse Helpline www.helpline-online.org 1(800)327-5050 p. 68 Mass Vets Advisor www.MassVetsAdvisor.org p. 5 Military One Source www.militaryonesouce.mil 1(800)342-9647 p. 36 National Call Center for www.va.gov/homeless/ 1(877)4AID VET p. 42 Homeless Veterans nationalcallcenter.asp National Resource Directory www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov 1(800)827-1000 p. 15 Northwestern District www.northwesternda.org 1(413)586-9225 p. 46 Attorney’s Office Soldier On www.wesoldieron.com 1(866)406-8449 p. 38 SAFELINK www.casamyrna.org 1(877)785-2020 p. 20 SAVE Suicide Hotline www.mass.gov/veterans/health-and-well- 1(888)844-2838 p. 54 being/counseling/suicide-prevention- only/save.html ServiceNet www.servicenet.org 1(413)585-1300 p. 52 Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke www.mass.go/eohhs/gov/departments/hly 1(413)532-9475 p. 55 National Center for PTSD www.ptsd.va.gov 1(802)296-6300 p.50 VA Caregiver Support www.caregiver.va.gov 1(855)260-3247 p. 36 VA Central Western www.centralwesternmass.va.gov 1(413)584-4040 p. 56 Massachusetts Healthcare Veterans Crisis Line www.VeteransCrisisLine.net 1(800)273-TALK p. 58 Veterans Employment and www.dol.gov/vets 1(800)4-USA-DOL p. 30 Training Services Veterans Justice Partnership www.veteransjusticepartnership.org 1(866)406-8449 p. 44 Western Mass. Vet Center www.vetcenter.va.gov 1(413)737-5167 p. 4 ii | The Blue Book Table of Contents Message from the District Attorney ............................................................................................................... i Quick Access Information Guide ................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Section I. Definitions of Massachusetts Veterans .......................................................................................................1 Massachusetts General Law Requirements ................................................................................................................1 Guard Members ...........................................................................................................................................1 Reservists .......................................................................................................................................................1 Minimum Service Exception ...................................................................................................................1 Training Duty Exception ..........................................................................................................................1 Merchant Marine .........................................................................................................................................1 Eligible Dependents ...................................................................................................................................1 Not Eligible ....................................................................................................................................................2 Section II. Veterans Bill of Rights......................................................................................................................................3 Benefits and Benefit Aid ................................................................................................................................... 4 Section I. Local Resources ..............................................................................................................................................4 Holyoke Soldier’s Home Veterans Assistance Center .............................................................................................4 Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross ................................................................................................4 Referrals to Community Resources .....................................................................................................4 Veterans Claims for Benefits ..................................................................................................................4 Volunteerism in VA & Military Hospitals ..........................................................................................4 Western Massachusetts Vet Center ................................................................................................................................4 Section II. State Resources and Benefits ...............................................................................................................5 Chapter 115 .............................................................................................................................................................................5 Department of Veterans Services .........................................................................................................5 Mass Vets Advisor .......................................................................................................................................5 Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment .........................................................................6 Veterans’ Service Officers ........................................................................................................................6 Property Tax Exemptions ..................................................................................................................................................8 State Bonuses and Annuities ............................................................................................................................................8 Bonuses ...........................................................................................................................................................8 Annuities .........................................................................................................................................................9 Section III. Federal Resources and Benefits ........................................................................................................9 Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Decisions Appeals ..................................................................................9 Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation .......................................................................................................9 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation ................................................................................. 10 Service-connected Disability Compensation ................................................................................ 10 Special Monthly Compensation .......................................................................................................... 10 Department