It can seem daunting to navigate the Veteran’s Administration website—even the VA admits the scope of their primary site, Benefits.va.gov is quite broad. To help Georgetown neighbors, following is a primer on some helpful links and pages for yourself or a loved one looking for qualifying Veteran benefits in our local area.
THE BREAKDOWN
In Georgetown, the Veterans Services Main Office is close by; at the Georgetown Annex at 100 Wilco Way (512-943-1900). This office provides telephone and in-person direction and general support for eligible Veterans, dependents, and survivors to identify and obtain all benefits they have earned from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, state of Texas, and Williamson County.
Appointments Monday-Friday • 8am-noon & 1-5pm
Benefit services include:
- Compensation for Service Connected Disabilities
or Pension - Burial & Funeral Honors & Burial Allowance
- Enrollment for Health Benefits
- Vocational Rehabilitation
Aside from these primary benefit packages, the center can also direct you to many great lifestyle benefits you may not be aware of, such as free drivers licenses for disabled veterans, homeless assistance, peer groups, Hazelwood Act education funding for you and your dependents, entrepreneur assistance, active duty hunting and fishing licenses, park admissions, and many more.
REGIONAL OFFICES
The second type of office to help fill current needs are Veteran Centers. They were instituted in 1979 to answer the complex needs of the Vietnam era veteran and exist today to provide those needs to all vets. Our closest offices are located in Killeen and Austin. For now, the Austin Vet Center (512-416-1314) has limited hours and services due to COVID. The Killeen Heights Vet Center (254-953-7100) is operating as usual. After hours services can be arranged at this location, by calling 1-877-WAR-VETS.
The VA now offers a blog that contains many different types of subjects and information as well. The topics range from overcoming the reluctance to claim benefits, to the new ATLAS telehealth program currently in its pilot program. The ATLAS program offers private, face-to-face appointments for veterans with a high-speed Internet connection.
There is also a monthly newsletter available for news and updates.
If you are a veteran, you are highly appreciated by Georgetown View and the entire community! Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family have made to serve your fellow Americans.