Maine Veterans’ Benefits and Resource Guide www.maine.gov/veterans [email protected] 207-430-6035 Table of Contents From the Director State and Federal Veterans’ Benefits Burial, Survivors and Dependents Benefits . 2 Key Staff I am honored to present the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services comprehensive Education Options . .5 . Bureau of Veterans’ Services Veteran Benefits and Resources Guide. Veterans who choose to call Maine home are Employment Assistance . 6 incredibly fortunate to have access to a wealth of benefits and resources – and we Healthcare . 7 . Acting Director are grateful for the opportunity to honor their service. Housing Programs . 11 . David A. Richmond Recreational Licenses and Discounts . 12 207-430-6035 Tax Exemptions and Financial Benefit. 13 . [email protected] The State of Maine provides nearly 20 different programs for veterans, including Veteran Identification. .16 . Acting Assistant Director property tax exemptions, free education for dependents of 100% permanent and Darren Henry totally disabled veterans, and complimentary hunting licenses. Throughout the state, 207-430-6037 Statewide Veterans’ Resources close to 400 organizations have established programs to assist veterans and service [email protected] Behavioral Health/Therapy/Counseling . 19 . members wishing to continue their education, increase employment opportunities, Suicide Awareness and Prevention . 23. Superintendent, access health care, and enjoy Maine’s great outdoors. Education . 24 Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System Scott Brown Elder Services. 35 . 207-287-3481 Our hope is that this Guide will help you gain a full understanding of the benefits, Employment . 39 . [email protected] services, and programs available to you whether you’re a veteran, advocate, family Homeless Services . 46 Claims Supervisor member, are currently serving, or are transitioning from the military. We hear so often Housing and Home Renovation Assistance. 50 . Steven Lanning Legal and Financial Assistance . .51 . 207-623-8411, ext. 5228 that veterans are unsure of what Maine offers its military community, and as the leading Legislative Affairs. 54 . or 207-623-5732 public advocate for our veterans, we remain committed to meeting the individual needs [email protected] Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services Offices. 56 . of our service members. This Guide will undoubtedly serve as a valuable tool in helping Medical/Health/VA Facilities . 57 Director, Strategic Partnerships our veterans access the benefits they have both earned and deserve. Maine Veterans Memorial Cemeteries . 61 Sarah A. Sherman 207-430-5816 Museum/Military History . 62. [email protected] Please know that no matter where you are in your transition – or how long you’ve Recreation Programs. .64 . been out of the service - the Bureau’s goal is to support you by being a one-stop Resource Connector . 67 Director of Communications Melissa Willette resource for all of your information needs and to offer exceptional advocacy for Supportive Services for Military and Veteran Families. 68 . 207-430-6004 Maine’s veterans. Our success is dependent on the incredible relationships we have Transportation Resources. 71. [email protected] Veteran Service/Community Service Organizations . .74 fostered with our community partners, and we thank them for their continued support and dedication to our veteran population. Veterans’ Resources by County Contact us: Androscoggin . 79 In addition to this Resource Guide, we encourage you to visit our website (www. Aroostook . 85 Mailing Bureau of Veterans’ Services maine.gov/veterans) to learn more about the services and programs available. As Cumberland . 89 117 State House Station always, please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions. Franklin. 105. Augusta, ME 04333-0117 Hancock . 107 . Phone Thank you for your support. Thank you for your service. Kennebec . 109 Voice: 207-430-6035 Knox. 123 . Fax: 207-626-4471 Lincoln. 125. With Gratitude, www.maine.gov/veterans Oxford . 126. Volume III Penobscot . 127 Piscataquis. 136 . Sagadahoc. 136 . David A. Richmond Somerset. 137 . Acting Director, Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services Waldo . 138 [email protected] Washington . 139 On the cover (l to r): Kieve Wavus – Veterans’ Camp, The Summit Project, VAST (Veterans’ 207-430-6035 York . 142 Adaptive Sports & Training) – Pineland Farms, Inc. veteran. Further details regarding arranging Military Funeral Honors may may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. Cremated remains are buried of veterans and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, state State and Federal Benefits be found at: www.funeralhonors.org, or by contacting the appropriate or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same veterans cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior Casualty Assistance Center. honors as casketed remains. cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a Government grave marker. United States Army including Army National Guard, US Army Reserves Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national Burial, Dependents & Survivors’ Benefits and Merchant Marine: cemetery include burial with the veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or The Nationwide Gravesite Locator includes burial records from many dependent’s name and date of birth and death inscribed on the veteran’s sources. Information on veterans buried in private cemeteries was Mr. Adam C. Buckley headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may collected for the purpose of furnishing Government grave markers, so the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator be buried even if they predecease the veteran. VA does not have information available for burials prior to 1997. Names 1-800-958-5967 cannot be added to the listing if a Government grave marker was not Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services Funeral or cremation arrangements must be made with a funeral provider 207-430-6208/6209 (ph) furnished for the grave, or if the existing Government grave marker was Scott Brown, Superintendent or cremation office. Please be aware that any item or service obtained 703-901-8531 (mobile) furnished prior to 1997. 163 Mt. Vernon Road from a funeral home or cremation office will be at the family’s expense 207-626-7804 (fax) Augusta, ME 04330 and will not be covered by the VA. The Arlington National Cemetery provides information on service [email protected] 207-287-3481 (ph) members buried there. The American Battle Monuments Commission 207-287-3483 (fax) To schedule a burial, please fax the deceased veteran’s military discharge provides information on service members buried in overseas cemeteries. [email protected] United States Air Force including Air National Guard and US Air Force documentation to the above fax number and follow-up with a phone call. Reserves: In addition to the online database copied above, the National Cemetery Maine is home to four veterans’ cemeteries: two in Augusta (Civic Center In-state, please call Headstones Administration also offers a mobile gravesite locator at: https://m.va.gov/. Drive & Mt. Vernon Rd.), one in Caribou and one in Springvale. Veterans, 207-404-7263 (ph) The VA will furnish upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a spouses, and their dependents are eligible to be interred in Maine’s 207-852-0396 (mobile) veterans’ cemeteries. The State of Maine provides the plot, will open and Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased close the grave and supplies perpetual care, at no cost to the family. The Out-of-state burials are coordinated by the Hanscom Air Force Base eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date Survivor and Dependents’ Benefits VA will supply the stone at no cost. Patriot Honor Guard of death. Please note that veterans who are buried or memorialized in a national Persons eligible for burial in one of Maine’s veterans’ cemeteries must Master Sergeant Aaron Marley, Superintendent Survivor Outreach Services cemetery, state veterans’ cemetery, or military post/base cemetery will have have received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under 781-225-5900/6558 (ph) their headstone or marker ordered by the cemetery officials for that facility. honorable conditions and are: 781-225-3941 (fax) Michelle Ouellette Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state • Individuals who have served in the active United States Armed Forces United States Navy: HCRI, Contractor veteran’s cemetery, military post/base cemetery, or tribal cemetery. 860-694-3475/3699 ARNG Survivor Services Program • Individuals who served and died as a result of injury, disease or Camp Keyes illness sustained while serving on active duty as National Guard United States Marine Corps: Burial Flag 194 Winthrop Street, Bldg #7 • Members of the reserve components (Reserve or National Guard) Augusta, ME 04333 866-826-3628 A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or who served for at least 20 years. 207-430-5959 (office) accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who served honorably in the United States Coast Guard: 207-332-6804 (cell) Spouses, widows, widowers and dependent children are also eligible to U. S. Armed Forces. U.S. Post Offices are the primary issuing point for 617-990-6249 207-430-4218