VA Reopening Health Care Enrollment to thousands of veterans. 

                      Use the eligibility calculator to see if you are eligible at:

                      https://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/apps/enrollmentcalculator

Meet the Staff:    Debbie Malek, Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                         Michael Franco, Investigator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location:           War Memorial Building, 310 Appleton St., Holyoke, MA 01040

Hours:               Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30

Contact us:        413-322-5630  Fax: 413-534-2339

The MISSION of the Department of Veterans' Services is to provide public assistance and other types of services to veterans and their dependents who are legally domiciled in the city of Holyoke and meet the standards with regard to type of discharge, income and asset levels. The Holyoke Veteran Services Department also advocates for veterans and their families and surviving spouses.  Veteran agents administer the M.G.L. Chapter 115 benefits program which is a needs based program for veterans and their dependents.  Agents provide referrals in numerous areas including, but not limited to, veteran employment and training, bonus/annuity applications, housing/shelter and outreach services for homeless veterans. Our graves officer is responsible for procurement and placement of flags for veteran graves each Memorial Day.  Flag holders are issued for each deceased veteran.  We are also responsible for appropriate disposal of unserviceable American flags.  A summary of benefits are found in the following links:

• Chapter_115_Benefits (pdf)
• Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents(pdf)
• Definition of MA Veteran (pdf)
• Aid and Attendance (Aid_and_Attendance_Flyer.doc)
• Burials are free for eligible veterans in the state cemeteries.  Applications may be obtained in our office. We are burial agents for veterans without sufficient funds under Ch 115 laws
• Hospital/Medical/Fuel - Hospital, doctor bills and co-payments as well as fuel assistance are also available
• Employment - Veterans have a representative at their local one stop career center.  Ask for the Veteran's representative for opportunities, training, and funds available.  Careerpoint (413) 532-4900
• Disabled American Veterans
• Discharge Records   
• Education Benefits
• Flag Etiquette
• Fuel Assistance
• MA Real Estate Abatement - Disabled Veterans
• If you entered the military from a city in Massachusetts, you can obtain your discharge paperwork from: War Records Department, Room 1004, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02203: 1-617-727-2964 or online at Military Record Retrieval
• Motor_Vehicle_Benefits
• Suicide_Hotline_pdf - 1-800-273-TALK
• Returning Iraqi Veterans  (see Welcome Home Bonus)
• VA Healthcare
• Veterans_Laws_and_Benefits.pdf
• Vet Centers

                                                                                                           Veteran Charities ICA Certified 

(Ind.Charities of America)                 

Angel Flight for Veterans

Blinded Veterans Association

Coalition to Support America's Heroes*

Coming Home Project*

Fisher House Foundation (FHF)

Homes for Our Troops

Injured Marine SemperFi Fund

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF)

MA Soldiers Legacy Fund *

Memorial Path Agawam Cemetery 

Operation Homefront

VFW Foundation

  Veteran of the Year 2010                                                           * Not certified by ICA