Military Affairs Committee (Luzerne County)

Who We Are

Disability Compensation

• Were you injured or suffer from a debilitating illness while on Active Duty?
• Do you currently have a chronic disability as a result of that injury or illness?
• If so, you may be entitled to VA compensation benefits.
• Information about Disability Compensation
• For assistance in applying, please call 570-706-3975

Aid and Attendance Benefits

• This program helps wartime veterans and their surviving spouses pay for extraordinary medical expenses such as assisted living facility care or in-home health care.
• Information about Aid and Attendance
• For assistance in applying, please call 570-706-3976

Benefits for Surviving Spouses

• Was the death of the veteran caused solely or partly due to disabilities incurred in service?

  • If so, you may be eligible for Dependent Indemnity Compensation
  • For information about this benefit, click on this link Dependent Indemnity Compensation
  • For assistance in applying, please call 570-706-3975

• Did the veteran serve during a period of war?

  • You may be eligible for a Survivors Pension
  • For information about this benefit, click on this link Survivor Pension Benefit
  • For assistance in applying, please call 570-706-3976

Real Estate Property Tax Exemption

• Are you permanently and totally disabled due to service connected disabilities incurred in the line of duty during a period of war?
• Were you Honorably Discharged?
• If so, you may be eligible for the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption program
• For information about this benefit, click on this link Property Tax Exemption Program
• For assistance in applying, please call 570-825-1650

Veteran Temporary Assistance Program

• This program offers temporary financial assistance to Pennsylvania Veterans and their surviving spouses to help deal with unforeseen financial hardships due to loss of  employment, death, natural disasters, or other adversities   beyond the applicant’s control.
• For information about this benefit, click on this link Veterans Temporary Assistance
• For assistance in applying, please call 570-825-1650

Government Issued Headstones

• Our office will provide assistance to the next of kin in ordering a variety of headstones provided to Honorably discharged veterans free of charge by the Department of Veteran Affairs
•  We will arrange to have the headstone prepared for installation and delivery to the cemetery
• There may be additional fees charged by the cemetery for placement.
• Click here for headstone application
• The next of kin can order a Military Medallion for placement on a privately purchased Headstone
• Click here for medallion application
• For assistance, please call 570-706-8405

Federal VA Burial Benefits

• Generally, the Department of Veteran Affairs provides monetary burial benefits to veterans who were in receipt of monthly VA benefits, either compensation or pension, or to veterans who passed away in a VA hospital or facility under VA contract to provide care.
• For information about this benefit, click on this link Burial Allowance Eligibility
• For assistance, please call 570-706-8405

Luzerne County Burial Allowance

• Pays $100.00 to help offset the costs related to the burial of wartime veterans.
•  Veteran must have served 90 days of active duty (other than for training) with one day being served during an established period of War as determined by the United States Congress
• Must have been Honorably Discharged
• Requires a copy of the veterans Military Discharge (Report of Separation or DD214), Death Certificate, proof of residency, and, if the applicant is the widow of a wartime veteran, a copy of the marriage license
• For assistance, please call 570-706-8405

VA National Suicide Hotline

Veterans, Service members, and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

• The counselors at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances — from those coping with mental health issues that were never addressed to recent Veterans dealing with relationships or the transition back to civilian life.

Homeless Veterans

• If you are a veteran who is homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact the VA hospital at 570-824-3521 and ask to speak to the homeless coordinator.
• For additional assistance, you may also contact our office.

VA Health Care Enrollment

• Apply for VA Health Care
• For assistance, please call the VA Hospital Eligibility Department at 570-824-3521 Extension 7122 or 7143
• For additional assistance, you may also contact our office.

Home Alterations for disabled veterans

• Ramps, Roll in Showers, and other kitchen or bathroom modifications

  • Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) Grant

•  Other Adaptive Housing Grants

  • Special Adaptive Housing Grant click here
  • Special Housing Adaptive Grant click here

Link To PA State Veterans Benefit Home Page

• click here

Link to US Department of Veteran Affairs Home Page

• click here

Military Records Requests

• Request Your Military Records
• For assistance, please call 570-706-8405

Veteran ID Cards

• Apply For ID Card

Who We Serve

Area(s): Luzerne County

Is this organization accessible by wheelchair?: Yes

Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired?: Yes

General Contact Information

Address                  Military Affairs Committee (Luzerne County)

                       2009 Wyoming Avenue (map)

                       West Side Annex

                        Forty Fort, PA 18704

Phone                       570-706-3960

Fax                            570-706-3969

Website                    https://www.luzernecounty.org/508/Veterans