Sherborn Veterans Services
Each Massachusetts city and town is required by state law to appoint a local Veterans Services Officer to assist local veterans and their dependents in receiving benefits to which they are entitled. Sherborn’s current veteran's Agent is:
Robert G. Ambos
Veterans’ Services Officer
47 Lake Street
508 655 1045 or 508 650 1148
rambos75@Comcast. net
Who is a Veteran?
To be a "veteran" under Massachusetts law a person must have a last discharge or release under honorable conditions and have either (1) 180 days of regular active duty service, or (2) 90 days of active duty service, one day of which is during "wartime" (except for Vietnam I which requires 180 days of active duty service).
Veteran status does not derive from training in the army National Guard or Air National Guard or for training as a reservist in the armed forces of the United States, although Massachusetts does offer some benefits for such service.
Currently, 217 men and woman veterans live in Sherborn. For further details on veterans status see the following website;
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetdefin.htm
Proof that you are a Veteran. To apply for veteran benefits you generally must furnish proof of your service record, such as by showing discharge papers. If you (or your next of kin) do not have such records you can apply for copies by going to this website:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/
Available Veteran Benefits
To get more detailed information about a specific benefit, click on the link's that follows each brief description. For general information on Massachusetts veteran benefits see the following website:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2topic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Resident&L2=Veterans&sid=massgov2
Education. Veterans of Massachusetts may be eligible for any state-supported course in an undergraduate degree program or certificate program offered by a public college or university. To be eligible, a veteran must also be a legal resident of Massachusetts and s/he must not be in default of any federal student loans.
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/veteduca.htm
http://edu.military.com/education/gi_bill/GIBillPage10.jsp
Home Loans. This benefit provides for the Federal Government to guaranty mortgage loans made by banks and other lenders to a certified veteran. The advantages may include better interest rates, lower needed down payment, lower closing costs, and faster processing.
http://www.homeloans.va.gov/veteran.htm
Health Care. U.S. Veterans Administration offers full medical service to all veterans provided that they are qualified for enrollment. The enrollment system gives priority to veterans with service-connected disabilities and those with low-income. The procedure to get enrolled is to visit the local Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic at 61 Lincoln Street in Framingham. They are located in Suite 112 on the first floor of that building. You are advised to call first to make sure they will be available to you. The number is 508 628 0205. They will give you forms to fill out and an addressed envelope to use in mailing the forms plus a copy of your discharge records.
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/
Pharmaceutical Assistance. Veterans Prescription Service provides prescription drugs and medical supplies from VA pharmacies to eligible veterans, dependents, and survivors. You must first apply for health care. (See above.)
Bonus for Recent Service. If you were a resident of Massachusetts immediately prior to entry into the armed forces service during the period beginning September 11, 2001 and were discharged under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for either a $1000 or a $500 bonus. Veteran who served active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan receive $1000. Veterans with six months or more active service, stateside or outside the continental limits of the United States, receive $500. This benefit is part of the Massachusetts "Welcome Home" legislation.
http://www.mass.gov/treasury/veteransbonus/welcomehomebonus.htm
Financial Assistance. Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws the state can provide financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents can receive financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, and medical care in accordance with a formula that takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as if the veteran were still living. To apply or inquire about this benefit, contact your Sherborn Veterans Services Officer.
Local Property or Vehicle Excise Tax Relief. Disabled veterans and/or survivors of deceased veterans whose death was service connected may be exempt from local taxes or receive a reduction credit. See the Sherborn tax department for details.
Compensation and Disability Pensions. If you are at least 10% disabled as a result of military service you can receive a monthly compensation check, the amount of which depends on degree of disability (and which is updated for cost of living). If you are permanently or totally disabled, are over 65 years of age, and have limited income you may be qualified for a monthly pension.
Http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm
Burial and Memorial Benefits. Burial benefits available for veterans buried in a private cemetery, such as Pine Hill Cemetery, include a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some veterans may also be eligible for a Burial Allowances. Veterans are also entitled to a grave-site in any of our 124 national cemeteries with available space this includes opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Cremated remains are buried or interred in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains. The current active Massachusetts national cemetery is on the Cape in Bourne
When a veteran is buried in a national cemetery, burial benefits are also available for spouses and dependents. This includes inscription of the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death on the veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family.