Benefits and Services

 

The Department of Veterans' Services is an office that is mandated and governed by Massachusetts State Law, Chapter 115. Through statute and regulation this program has evolved over the last 145 years to its present format. The rationale for this program is that veterans' benefits are just as much a necessary part of our nation's defense as are the bullets, shells, and machines that are expended in war. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are approximately 450,000 veterans residing in the Commonwealth.

In Newton the Veterans Service Officer does the following:
1) Provides financial and medical assistance to those veterans and their families who are
determined to be both needy and worthy(honorably discharged).
2) Help veterans and their dependents to obtain assistance from other governmental  
agencies, e.g., VA, Social Security, SSD, SSI, fuel assistance, etc.
3) Serve as the Burial Officer to help bury indigent veterans and their dependents.
4) Serve as the Grave Registration Officer to ensure that all graves of veterans are  
properly decorated with a flag and geranium over the Memorial Day period.
5) Conduct parades and ceremonies.



Veterans Service Overview

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has the most comprehensive veterans’ services program of any state in the nation. These Veterans’ Benefits are in addition to those benefits provided by the Veterans administration. Assistance for these programs is administered locally in your City hall Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS).

Besides providing medical and financial assistance when needed, we also provide the following services: filing for VA disability compensation and pension, annuities, real estate tax abatements, lost discharges, domiciliary care, nursing home care, health care enrollment, outpatient pharmacy services, agent orange and gulf war claims, alcohol and drug dependence treatment, education and training, home loan guarantees, service life insurance, burial benefits including headstones and markers, women veterans issues, homeless veterans, replacing military records and medals, review of discharges, social security and SSI assistance, veterans’ preference in employment and housing, along with many more benefits and entitlements!

Veterans are encouraged to file a copy of their discharge papers (DD-214), with the local Veterans office. When filing for any veterans benefits, this document is the only proof acceptable that you are a veteran. Surviving spouses of veterans also need this document to receive any benefits they may be entitled. Remember, this document is the most important document that you will ever have.

The City of Newton  Department of Veterans Services is a one-stop center for veterans and their dependents. We are committed to aid, counsel, assist and offer advice. We pride ourselves in delivering accurate, courteous, timely service.

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Eligibility for Veterans Benefits

To be eligible for veterans' benefits, one must be a "veteran" or a dependent of a "veteran" under M.G.L. c. 4, sec. 7, clause 43rd as amended by the Acts of 2005, chapter 130. See below for service requirements and exceptions.

*Naval and Marine DD214 must indicate Expeditionary Medal. All DD214's must specify campaign: Lebanon, Granada, or Panama.

Era of Service Dates Requirement for Veteran Status
WWI 6-Apr-1917 
11-Nov-1918		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 12-Nov-1918 
15-Sep-1940		 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
WWII 
(Merchant Marine: 
7-Dec-1941 through 31-Dec-1946)		 16-Sep-1940 
25-Jul-1947		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 26-Jul-1947 
24-Jun-1950		 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
KOREA 25-Jun-1950 
31-Jan-1955		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Korean Defense Service Medal 28-Jul-1954 
(to be determined later)		 90 days of active duty service, last discharge under honorable conditions and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
VIETNAM I 1-Feb-1955 
4-Aug-1964		 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
VIETNAM II 5-Aug-1964 
7-May-1975		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PEACETIME 8-May-1975 
1-Aug-1990		 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Lebanon Campaign* 25-Aug-1982 
(to be determined later)		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Grenada Campaign* 25-Oct-1983 
15-Dec-1983		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
Panama Campaign* 20-Dec-1989 
31-Jan-1990		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
PERSIAN GULF 2-Aug-1990 
(to be determined later)		 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
  • For GUARD MEMBERS to qualify they must have 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime, per the above chart.
  • For RESERVISTS to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty, at which point their eligibility can be determined by the above chart.

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Training Duty Exception

Active duty service in the armed forces shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Minimum Service Exception (for Death or Disability)

It is not necessary that an applicant have completed the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign if he/she served some time in the campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected disability per the Discharge Certificate, or died in the service under honorable conditions.

Eligible Dependents

The following categories of persons may qualify as dependents eligible to receive veterans’ benefits.

  • Spouse of the veteran.
  • Widow or widower of the veteran.
  • Dependent parent of the veteran.
  • Any person who acted as a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the commencement of the veteran’s wartime service.
  • Child of the veteran until his or her 19th birthday.
  • Child of the veteran between 19 years and 23 years of age while the child is attending high school, an institution of higher learning or some other accredited educational institution provided that the applicant is in receipt of benefits under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 115.
  • Child of the veteran 19 years of age or older who is mentally or physically unable to support himself or herself and was affected by the disability prior to his or her 18th birthday.
  • Legally adopted children of the veteran.

Who is NOT eligible?

None of the following shall be deemed to be a veteran:

  • Any person, who at the time of entering into the armed forces of the United States, had declared his/her intention to become a subject or citizen of the United States and withdrew his/her intention under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918.
  • Any person who was discharged from the said armed forces on his/her own application or solicitation by reason of his/her being an enemy alien.
  • Any person who has been proved guilty of willful desertion.
  • Any person whose only service in the armed forces of the United States consists of his/her service as a member of the Coast Guard auxiliary or as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve, or both.
  • Any person whose last discharge or release from the armed forces is dishonorable.

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Veterans Benefits Bill of Rights

M.G.L. ch 115 and 108 CMR (Code of Massachusetts Regulations)

You have a right to:

  • File a written application for veterans' benefits at any time. You can insist upon this right, even if told that you are ineligible. 108 CMR 4:02 (1)
  • Receive assistance from your local veterans' agent in completing your application. (M.G.L.c.115,s.3)
  • Receive a full explanation of the services and benefits available under M.G.L. Ch. 115, as well as other available benefits.
  • Receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial of your application for benefits. 108 CMR 8.02
  • Be treated with dignity and respect and to receive accurate, courteous and timely service.
  • Appeal and request a hearing if you disagree with any action taken in your case. 108 CMR 8.07(1)
  • Expect confidentiality; personal information will not be collected or used except for the purpose of determining your eligibility for benefits. (M.G.L.c.40 s.51)
  • Receive fair and equal treatment without regard to sex, race, religion, handicap, ethnicity or national origin. (M.G.L.c.151B, s.3)

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Public Assistance

Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. Ch. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies, and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependants and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would were the veteran still living.

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How to Apply

Applications for Chapter 115 Public Assistance benefits can be filed with the Veterans Service Officer, John M. MacGillivray, who is located on the first floor of City Hall.  If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call the office at 617-796-1090.

     
    Examples of documents needed for application:

Veterans

  • DD214 or other discharge certificate
  • Income verification (pay stubs, award letters or other documents showing monthly income)
  • Shelter verification (rent receipt or mortgage payment)

To Establish Relationship as a Veteran's Dependent

  • Marriage certificate (for spouse or widow/widower of a veteran)
  • Birth certificate or adoption record with name of eligible veteran as parent (for child of a veteran)
  • Death certificate (for widow/widower of a veteran, child of deceased veteran)
  • Birth certificate of veteran with name of parent (for parent of a veteran)
  • Public record or statements from the veteran or other knowledgeable people, showing that the applicant stood in place of a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the veteran's wartime service (for person in place of a parent to a veteran)

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Return to the Veterans Department's main webpage