Veterans Affairs
The Susquehanna County Veterans affairs office proudly serves the Veterans of our County and their families.
Anyone with questions about the vast array of benefits available is encouraged to contact the County VA office, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide assistance. The office is located in the County Courthouse at 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, Pa. and the office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. except for scheduled holidays or required Certified Veterans Services Officer (VSO) training.
Individuals may also find complete information on veteran's federal benefits by visiting the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.va.gov and state benefits at www.dmva.pa.gov/veterans/pages
Veterans in crisis or contemplating suicide may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 option 1 or text at 838255 for help
Finally to all our veterans, “thank you for your service” we look forward to serving you.
Veterans Corner
The Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office writes an article once each month that is published in the “Weekender”. These articles called “Veterans Corner” provide information related to veteran’s issues and benefits. The articles are published once per month and can be found in one of the editions of the weekender which is distributed each Friday of the month. The weekender has a wide distribution in Susquehanna County. For your convenience we also make the articles available here on the County website.
Anyone with any questions about the benefits available to Veterans and their family members can call the Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs Office at (570) 278-5955.
Employment Effects on VA benefits & Veteran ID Options
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
Recently I have had several veterans state to me that they put off applying for VA benefits because they were still working. Employment should not stop a veteran from Contacting Susquehanna County Veteran Affairs office about applying for benefits, because it only effects benefits in some cases, and in no cases does it bar a veteran from applying for benefits. Our Veteran Service Officers will gladly discuss the specifics of any veteran’s unique situation with them when they contact us.
For the majority of cases, employment does not affect VA compensation (paid to the veteran for service-connected injuries and/or health conditions). The only exception to this is when a veteran receives 100% Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) compensation benefits. However, a veteran can work while receiving (TDIU) benefits, but there are limitations. TDIU is for veterans unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities. While they can't hold a job that provides a substantial income, they can work in marginal employment, such as part-time or low-paying jobs, without jeopardizing their TDIU benefits. The VA uses the federal poverty threshold as a strict cutoff for individual unemployability benefits. To qualify for TDIU, you must prove that your service-connected disabilities make “substantially gainful employment” impossible and your annual income stays below $15,650 (2025 threshold for single-person households) (va.gov).
The other VA benefit is a VA pension, which is based on the veteran’s income (income for pension purposes is roughly calculated by deducting medical expenses from income), so obviously the more a pension receiving veteran works, the less he will receive in a pension.
Veterans have several options for a veteran’s ID if they have their discharge, DD214. The veteran ID options are the following:
-Next time the veteran renews their PA driver's license, you can check the box for Veteran, and they will add the flag with Veteran printed under it in the right lower corner of the ID.
-If the veteran has VA Healthcare, they can get the VA Healthcare ID Card at the VA Medical Center they use (if the veteran uses a clinic, the veteran will probably need to go to the VA Medical Center the clinic is affiliated with). The VA Medical Centers have walk in appointments for the VA Healthcare ID Card. This ID works for all federal benefits such as free entry into national parks.
-If Veteran retired from Active Duty, the Reserves, or National Guard the veteran can get a retired Department of Defense Identification Card by going to Tobyhanna Army Depot- ID Cards / DEERS phone (570) 615-7409 /website https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/, or the Naval Reserve Center in Avoca phone 570-589-5616.
-Veteran can go to va.gov and search veterans ID and follow the prompts for Apply for a Veteran ID Card (VIC) *Veterans that have a VA Healthcare ID Card are not eligible for this card.
-Veteran can go to Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office, 31 Lake Ave Montrose PA 18801 (side entrance of Montrose courthouse), and file your DD214, and then get a County ID good for discounts in Susquehanna County only.
Upcoming Veteran Events:
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every First Monday of Month at 5:30 PM. Next meeting is August 4th at 5:30PM. No group September 1st.
Vietnam Veterans Support Group at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM. Next meetings are August 4th & 18th at 10:30AM. No group September 1st.
Susquehanna Veterans Affairs office is always here to assist Veterans in accessing Veterans Administration and State benefits.
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO