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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter

Get the Benefits You Deserve
Last year, DVS began representing NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).

DVS helps veterans and their families file for federal benefits such as:

Non-Service Connected Pensions

Non-Service-Connected Pensions are a tax-free monthly benefit that the VA pays to veterans who served during a wartime era, currently has a total and permanent disability (which does not have to be related to military service), and has a low income and limited personal assets.

Education Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps veterans pay for school or job training. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Learn if you are eligible for this benefit.

Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is a tax-free monthly benefit that the VA pays for disabilities caused or worsened by a veteran's military service. 

There is no time limit to file a claim for disability compensation. You can be several decades removed from your date of discharge from the military, but you can still be awarded disability compensation from the VA if you can prove that a current disability was at least as likely as not caused or worsened by your military service.

There is no income limit to file a claim for disability compensation. 

Veterans with particularly severe disabilities caused by or worsened by their military service can be eligible for a heightened monthly payout known as Special Monthly Compensation. For example, veterans whose service-connected disability causes them to require assistance with activities of daily living can be found eligible for a heightened monthly benefit known as "Aid and Attendance." 

Benefits for Military Families
The DVS VA Claims Unit helps eligible veteran spouses and children obtain certain VA benefits, including healthcare, life insurance, and money to pay for school.

DVS also works to secure Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monthly benefit that the (VA pays to eligible surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of veterans. Survivors become eligible for DIC if they can prove that the veteran:

  • Passed away from a disability that was at least as likely as not caused or worsened by the veteran’s military service; or

  • Passed away while on active duty; or

  • Had a VA disability compensation rating verifying that their condition was totally disabling for at least 10 years prior to death (or for 5 years between their military discharge date and their date of death)

Burial Benefits

Burial benefits include a gravesite or columbarium at any National Cemetery throughout the country, a government headstone or marker, burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, Military Honor Guard, and perpetual care. Benefits also include burial allowances of up to $2,000 for eligible veterans to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs. Benefits may include burial allowances of up to $2,000 for indigent families of eligible service members.

Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
How to Get Vaccinated
Schedule Online:
You can schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). To find other locations that may have appointments available visit:
Please note: People who are 12 to 17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

Walk-ins Welcome:
All New Yorkers can now get their COVID-19 vaccine by simply walking into any of the CIty's 11 public hospital locations! To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, click here. 

Get Vaccinated at Home:
All New Yorkers can request an in-home vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also choose which vaccine you'd like to receive, such as Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Fill out this form to get started or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
 
Still Undecided?
If you are still undecided or you decided not to get vaccinated, please continue to:
  • Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.
  • Stay 6 feet apart from others.
  • Get tested for COVID-19 often. Learn how you get a free COVID test here. 

DVS Programs and Initiatives

Take the NYC Veterans and Military Community Survey
Are you a member of NYC's veteran community? If so, take the NYC Veteran and Military Community Survey today! DVS will use your responses to shape programs and policies designed to improve the lives of veterans, military spouses, caregivers, and active duty service members across the five boroughs. Take the survey here!

Feeding Veterans in Need
DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by submitting your information to VetConnectNYC.

Ending Veteran Homelessness in NYC
Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.

How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast

Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:

Stories of Transition

The Black Veteran Experience

 

LGBT Veteran Stories

The Health of Women Veterans

DVS Website

DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.

Review the webpages on our site:

 

Connect to Services:

 

Support a Veteran:
Media:

Contact DVS
Please follow us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. 

  

 
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New York City Department of Veterans' Services 
1 Centre Street, Suite 2208
New York, NY 10007 
(212) 416-5250
www.nyc.gov/vets


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