Returning Veteran Checklist
Welcome home, Veteran! Pennsylvania thanks you for your service!
(Please Note: If you are a severely disabled Veteran and need any special accommodations, please identify that to your service officer or career counselor when making appointments.)
Things to do within one year from Separation
- Have your DD 214 recorded in the County Recorder's Office for FREE
- Safeguard all your records. You will need them again.
- Visit your County Director of Veterans Affairs (normally located in the County Courthouse) or Accredited Service Organization Representative for FREE
- Take a copy of all your records with you for your appointment
- Service Medical Records
- Personnel File
- Dental Record
- Have your County Director of Veterans Affairs or Accredited Veterans Service Officer review your records and advise you on the benefits you qualify for
- File for disabilities through an Accredited Veterans Service Officer
- Fill out VA form 10-10 EZ for VA Healthcare benefits
- Go to your local VAMC to turn in Form 10-10 EZ and schedule an appointment
- You may qualify for 5 years of FREE healthcare through the VA from your separation date
- Visit your local CareerLink Office (Pennsylvania Job Service) FREE SERVICE
- Ask to speak with the Veterans Employment Representative
- File for unemployment
- Get help finding a job
- Attend classes to help in your search for employment
- Military skills that be used in civilian life are identified
- Visit colleges you are interested in / use the GI Bill
- Ask to speak with the Veterans Representative on campus
- Always identify yourself as a Veteran and inquire about Yellow Ribbon funding in addition to GI Bill payments for college
- Many non-traditional programs are included in the Post 9-11 GI Bill
- When you are ready to buy a home inform your lender you are a Veteran and that you are interested in using the VA Home Loan Guaranty
- This is as easy as informing your lender you are a Veteran and wish to use your benefit (you will need to provide a copy of your DD 214)
- Disabled Veterans (USDVA Rating) have the funding fee waived
- You can include the down payment in the loan
Pennsylvania Veterans Service Organizations available to assist you
An Accredited Veterans Service Officer is your advocate (FREE) to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and is thoroughly trained to represent you and to manage your claim for benefits. Once you have assigned a Power of Attorney (Veterans Service Officer) always visit them regarding ANY correspondence you receive from the USDVA.
(Please note: If you are a severely disabled Veteran and need any special accommodations, please identify that to your Veterans Service Officer.)
County Director of Veterans Affairs (Click for a county-by-county listing of the County Directors of Veterans Affairs)
Adjutant General's Office of Pennsylvania
Fort Indiantown Gap (Headquarters) 800-547-2838
Pittsburgh 866-754-8636
Philadelphia 866-754-8637
American Legion
State Headquarters 717-730-9100
Pittsburgh 412-395-6230
Philadelphia 215-381-2032
American Veterans (AMVETS)
State Headquarters 717-865-9982
Pittsburgh 412-395-6248
Philadelphia 215-381-3294
Disabled American Veterans
State Headquarters 717-761-4060
Pittsburgh 412-395-6241
Philadelphia 215-381-3065
Jewish War Veterans
Philadelphia 215-842-3140
Marine Corps League
State Headquarters 800-779-7301
Military Order of the Purple Heart
State Headquarters 724-437-1220
Pittsburgh 412-395-6255
Philadelphia 215-381-3064
Paralyzed Veterans of America
State Headquarters 412-781-2474
Pittsburgh 412-395-6260
Philadelphia 215-381-3057
United Spinal Association
Philadelphia 215-381-3037
VFW
State Headquarters 717-234-7927
Pittsburgh 412-395-6260
Philadelphia 215-381-3123
Vietnam Veterans of America
Altoona 814-943-8164 X7085