Resource Guide

The following is a listing of helpful local, state, and federal resources:

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

www.va.gov - Extensive information on all VA related benefits and services such as Health Care, Education, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Location of facilities (includes street maps), legislation, FAQ’s, etc.

Benefits- 1-800-827-1000
Education & Training - 1-888-442-4551
Life Insurance - 1-800-669-8477
Special Issues:- 1-800-749-8387
Health Care - 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
Headstones/Markers - 1-800-697-6947
VA Inspector General - 1-800-488-8244
Suicide Prev. Hotline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
TDD - 1-800-829-4833

Local office
344 W. Genesee St.
Syracuse NY 13202
(315)423-5536
Contact: VA Representatives Gary Smith; Jim Tucker; Todd Post; Tom Kalczuga

NYS Div. of Veterans Affairs

www.veterans.ny.gov - The office provides assistance with education, employment, property tax exemptions and assistance with applying for federal & state benefits.

333 E. Washington Street
Room 403
Syracuse NY 13202
Phone: (315) 428-4046
Contact: Anne Grugel, Sue Doan

VA Medical Center
800 Irving Ave, 1st Floor, Room 176b
Syracuse NY 13210
315 425-4400 ext 53871
Contact: Lloyd Collins

Provides counseling and advocacy for New York State Veterans and their families to ensure they receive benefits granted by law for their service to New York and the nation.

Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency

www.ongov.net/veterans

421 Montgomery St.
13th Floor Civic Center
Syracuse NY 13202
(315) 435-3217
Contact: Corliss Dennis, Richard Forkhamer; Keith Colston

Department Mission: To obtain funding, medical treatment or nursing home care for eligible veterans, their dependents or survivors which will enable them to continue their quality of life without resorting to Social Services funding. To provide information, assistance and advocacy for claimants in actions or claims against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or state and local veterans-related entitlements.

Disabled American Veterans

www.dav.org - Assistance with VA disability compensation and pension claims; transportation to VA hospitals and other services.

Local office
Disabled American Veterans
344 W. Genesee Street 2nd Floor
Syracuse NY 13202
(315) 423-5541

NYS Dept. of Labor

www.labor.state.ny.us - Information and assistance with unemployment benefits, contact information, VA Job Bank listings, career assessment, etc.

VA Medical Center

The Syracuse VA Medical Center provides acute and comprehensive medical, neurological, surgical, oncology, rehabilitation and psychiatric inpatient and outpatient care programs. The VA Medical Center is currently operating and supporting eight additional Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Auburn, Binghamton, Carthage, Cortland, Ithaca, Massena, Oswego and Rome. Each outpatient clinic provides for both complete Primary Care and Mental Health Programs.

800 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: (315) 425-4400 Or 800-792-4334

VA Medical Center -Seamless Transition Program

The VA has set up this special program which is designed to meet the specific needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Every VA Medical Center has an OEF/OIF Care Management Team ready to welcome OEF/OIF veterans and help coordinate health care. Case Managers, who are either nurses or social workers, coordinate patient care activities and help veterans navigate their way through the VA system. A Transition Patient Advocate (TPA) acts as a personal advocate as you move throughout the VA healthcare system.

Syracuse contacts
For eligibility and enrollment questions: Lisa Price (315) 425-4863
For clinical issues/questions: Peggy Daggett (315) 425-4400 x53392 or Lauren Love (315)425-3481

VA Medical Center Military Order of the Purple Heart

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is here for all veterans. A National Accredited Service Officer can help you with VA benefits (compensation, pension, government insurance, education, GI loans, vocational rehabilitation, or filing a disability claim).

800 Irving Ave.
Suite A176
Syracuse NY 13210-2796
(315) 425-4400 x54383

Syracuse Vet Center

Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.

109 Pine Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: (315) 478-7127
Contact: Patricia Chase

NYS Department of Labor-CNY Works - Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER)

960 James Street
First Floor
Syracuse NY 13203
(315) 473-8250
www.cnyworks.com
Contact: Bill Burns

As a veteran, you receive priority service in all New York State Employment and Training programs. They have Veterans' Employment Representatives, who are veterans themselves, specifically trained to assist you in transitioning from the military, finding a new job, or starting a new career. Some of the services provided include assistance with:

Career assessment
Referral to jobs
Resume preparation assistance
Information on Federal, State, and Local Civil Service opportunities
Job search planning
Labor Market Information
Information on direct appointment to Civil Service positions
Referral to other agencies that provide services to veterans

U.S. Social Security Administration

James M. Hanley Federal Building- 4th Floor
100 S. Clinton St.
Syracuse NY 13261
1-800-772-1213

Elected Officials

Senator Charles Schumer (D)
James M. Hanley Federal Building
100 S. Clinton St. Room 841
Syracuse NY 13261
(315) 423-5471

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
James M. Hanley Federal Building
100 S. Clinton St. Room 1470
Syracuse NY 13261
(315) 448-0470

Representative John Katko
440 South Warren St.
Syracuse NY 13202
(315) 423-5657

Additional Resources

Clear Path For Veterans

http://clearpathforvets.com/
Clear Path empowers military members, veterans, and their families through traditional and non-traditional, wellness-enhancing programming delivered in a safe and family-centered environment, while integrating community-based programs and services into a holistic network of supportive resources spanning central and upstate New York.
(315) 687-3300
1223 Salt Springs Road
Chittenango, NY 13037

Debt.org

This website provides information on personal finances, debt management and VA programs for active duty service-members as well as veterans.
http://www.debt.org/veterans/

Military VA Loan

This is a non-government site that offers extensive information about VA Home Loans. They do not offer loans or mortgages directly or indirectly through any representatives or agents.
http://www.militaryvaloan.com/

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

http://iava.org - IAVA is dedicated to educating the public about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, advocating on behalf of those who have served, and fostering a community for troops, veterans, and their families. Membership is free.

Support Troops Network

www.supporttroopsnetwork.org - Support Troops Network of Central New York offers counseling, advocacy, education, referral, and support to active duty service personnel and veterans of our community, and to their families, at no cost. (315) 200-0531

After Deployment

http://www.afterdeployment.org/ - This DoD website aims to be the pre-eminent Psychological health and Traumatic Brain Injury Web portal serving the military community. It provides media-rich, Web-based, self-care solutions targeting mental health problems (PTSD, depression, anger, sleep problems, alcohol & drugs, etc.) commonly faced following a deployment.

National Resource Directory

www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov - An on-line partnership for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them. Provides access to services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Accredited On-Line Schools and Colleges

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/

This website lists information on top-ranked accredited online colleges and allows you to conduct a database search, helping you find a degree program that meets your degree level, category and subject of interest. You can also search between nationally and regionally accredited colleges, and you’ll find information on why accreditation matters!

Affordable College On-Line

Contains comprehensive information on affordable college and on-line college options as well as information on financial aid, veteran benefits and scholarships.

http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/spotlight/veterans-education-resources/