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.

Education Benefits for Dependents of Veterans & Operation Green Ligh
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer

Adding school age dependents to your VA disability compensation rate:

A well-kept secret is the various education benefits that a veteran’s dependent, aged 18-23 who are attending college or trade school, may qualify for based on Veteran’s eligibility.  Veterans receiving disability compensation from VA, who have a disability rating of 30% or higher, can add dependents to their compensation benefits. Adding dependents, like a spouse or children, means the veteran is eligible for higher disability payments. This benefit expires if the dependent is a child who turns 18.   However, the veteran can apply for school attendance dependency if that same child is attending college or trade school, full time. The veteran would receive an even higher compensation rate for that child (Currently additional $334.49/month for each child 18-24 attending college or trade school). The veteran and student need to fill out a Request for School Attendance VA form 21-674 and submit a Current Enrollment Verification Certificate from the school the student is attending, to receive this benefit. 

Eligible Veterans can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill to their dependent prior to leaving service. Veterans can then change the percentage the dependent(s) receive of the Post-9/11 GI Bill at any time even after they completed their service:

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be redeemed at the below rates for active-duty service:

Reserve Duty That Counts Toward Post-9/11 Eligibility

The time that a Reservist was ordered to active duty to receive authorized medical care, be medically evaluated for disability, or complete a Department of Defense (DoD) health care study on or after September 11, 2001, now counts as active duty toward eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. An individual may use this entitlement to pursue a course of education beginning on or after August 1, 2018.

Purple Heart Recipients

Servicemembers and honorably discharged Veterans who were awarded a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 will be entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100-percent benefit level for up to 36 months. This was effective on August 1, 2018.

Benefit Levels

An individual with aggregate service of 90 days but less than six months of active-duty service (excluding entry and skill training) qualifies at the 50-percent benefit level. An individual with aggregate service of at least six months but less than eighteen months of active-duty service (excluding entry and skill training) qualifies at the 60-percent benefit level. 

Those dependents receiving the Post 9/11 GI Bill are eligible to receive a Monthly Housing Allowance Based on the Campus where a Student Attends the Majority of their Classes

The law under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program requires the monthly housing allowance (MHA) to be calculated based on the zip code of the campus where the student physically attends the majority of classes, rather than the location of the institution of higher learning where the student is enrolled. (va.gov)

Note: For dependents attending college or a trade school, the tuition reimbursement is at the rate of a State University.  If the student attends a Private or State-related University, the student pays the difference in the tuition.  However, if the school is a Yellow Ribbon School, the school waves the difference in tuition rates (locally the University of Scranton is an example of a Yellow Ribbon School). 

VA Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents:

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) —also called Chapter 35

Find out if you’re eligible for VA education benefits for dependents and survivors (also called Chapter 35 benefits). If you’re a dependent spouse or child—or the surviving spouse or child—of a Veteran, you may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits or job training through a GI Bill program.

Am I eligible for education benefits?

You may be eligible for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) if you’re the child or spouse of a service member with 1 of these descriptions listed below: 

• The service member died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, or
• The service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or
• The service member was detained (held) by force while in the line of duty by a foreign government or power, or
• The service member is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. A service-connected permanent and total disability is a disability resulting from your service that doesn’t go away.
• The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
• The Veteran died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.

If you’re a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement to you while they were on active duty. (va.gov)

Fry Scholarships

Learn about the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship), a scholarship for children and spouses of certain Veterans. If your parent or spouse died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, while serving in the Armed Forces, or was a member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for this benefit. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible for education benefits through this scholarship.

Am I eligible for Fry Scholarship benefits?

You may be eligible for Fry Scholarship benefits if you’re the child or surviving spouse of:

• A member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty while serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or
• A member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty while not on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or
• A member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001

As the child of a service member

• You can be married or unmarried.
• If you turned 18 or graduated from high school before January 1, 2013, you can get a Fry Scholarship until you’re 33 years old.
• If you turn 18 or graduate from high school after January 1, 2013, you can get a Fry Scholarship at any age over 18 or after you graduate (whichever comes first).
• If your parent was a member of the Selected Reserve and died from a service-connected disability while not on active duty, you can get a Fry Scholarship at any time, no matter how old you are.
• If your parent died in the line of duty before August 1, 2011, you may qualify for both the Fry Scholarship and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. But you can use only one program at a time. We cap combined benefits at 81 months of full-time training.
• If you’re receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), you’ll need to give up those payments when you start to use the Fry Scholarship.

As the spouse of a service member

• If you remarry, you’ll no longer be eligible for the Fry Scholarship.
• You can still get Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments while using the Fry Scholarship.

Note: If your parent or spouse was “not on active duty,” this means they were a member of the Reserve serving on active duty for training or inactive duty training. This term doesn’t include Army and Air National Guard members who were on State orders (sometimes called “State Active Duty”).

NOTE: If you qualify for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA, you’ll need to choose which program you want to use. Once you choose, you can’t change your mind. Exception: If your parent died in the line of duty before August 1, 2011, you can use both the Fry Scholarship and DEA. You can get up to 81 months of full-time training, but you can use only one program at a time. (va.gov)

In State Tuition for DEA chapter 35 recipients

Note: Starting August 1, 2022, if you’re using benefits through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, you’ll be eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Example: Once a student is eligible for chapter 35, DEA benefits, they are eligible for instate tuition, even if they are attending an out of state school.  For example if a PA student is attending a school in Vermont and paying out of state tuition rates, then their parent becomes 100% service connected VA disabled, and subsequently the student is granted DEA chapter 35 Educational Benefits, the student is then entitled to in state tuition at the Vermont school. 

PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATIONAL GRATUITY:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides financial assistance (up to $500 per term/semester up to eight semesters) to children of veterans who meet the following criteria:

Veteran Eligibility:*

• Died in service during a period of war or armed conflict,

or

• Honorable Discharge

• Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

• Veteran must have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Child Eligibility:

• Must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within Pennsylvania five years prior to application and must attend an approved school within the state 

• Applicant must demonstrate a financial need

Application:

Contact us at Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs to apply for this program.

*Must first apply for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) —also called Chapter 35

Upcoming Veteran Events:

Susquehanna County and Veterans Affairs Office support the National Association of Counties’ and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers’ Operation Green Light for Veterans by passing the following resolution: “BE IT RESOLVED, with designation as a Green Light for Veterans County, Susquehanna County herby declares from October through Veterans Day, November 11th 2024, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” and further encourages its citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence.

Veterans Day Monday, November 11th at Montrose VFW Post 5642 the Auxiliary will be sponsoring a free breakfast to all Veterans from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Veterans can order items off the menu.

October 7th and every, first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM- Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans’ Support Group at Lenox VFW.

October 7th & 21st, every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM-Vietnam Support Group at Lenox VFW.

At Veterans Affairs of Susquehanna County, we have two Veteran Service Officers who are ready and willing, to assist any Veteran seeking to secure any of the above-mentioned school benefits for dependents. The Veteran Service Officers can also assist Veterans to file for VA Compensation conditions, that Veterans think were caused by and can be linked to their military service, including any of the presumptive conditions (presumed service connection for toxic exposures).

DD 214/discharge paperwork can be filed at the County Courthouse free of charge.

Submitted By: Jeffery Mead

Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer

The many programs and benefits available to Veterans require a key to open the door to those benefits, which is the Veterans Discharge, or DD 214. Having this key to benefits on file at the County serves many purposes including: safe guarding a copy of this important document against it getting misplaced, lost, or destroyed; making it available to the Veteran’s family who may need to access it to assist the veteran in applying for benefits; making it available to family members to apply for various survivor benefits after the Veteran passes; and making it available to the Veteran in the courthouse where the Veterans Affairs Office is located. Two Veteran Service Officers work in the Veterans Affairs Office located in the Susquehanna County Courthouse who are available to assist veterans in applying for many Veteran Administration (VA), and State benefits. The VA programs including disability compensation, pension, and survivor benefits can be seen on va.gov.  The state programs, Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) can be viewed at dmva.pa.gov.

Even if a Veteran is not ready to apply for any benefits, we highly recommend they put their discharge papers/ DD 214 on file at the Courthouse through the Veterans Affairs office for future use by the veteran and/or the veteran’s family.   The veteran can also get a free Susquehanna County Veteran ID, which can be used to get discounts at many county businesses. 

If a veteran or veteran’s family does not have a DD214, they can be applied for at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and our office can assist you this is requested.

At Veterans Affairs of Susquehanna County, we have two Veteran Service Officers who are here ready and willing to assist any Veterans seeking to file for VA compensation, pensions, and surviving spouse benefits. We also provide assistance accessing PA veteran benefits including: Real Estate Tax Exemption for 100% service-connected disabled, Wartime Period Veterans; Veterans Temporary Assistance Program (one-time financial assistance-$1600.00 maximum); Amputee & Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension; Blind Veterans Pension; Educational Gratuity Program; and Military Family Relief Assistance Program.

Upcoming Veteran Events:

Fill the Cruiser-Veterans Food Drive-October 19th

Fill the Cruiser Veterans Food Drive on Saturday October 19th from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M facilitated by Officer Andy Genneken. Please bring your non-perishable donations to the parking lot of Scarfalloto’s Hometown Market at 16749 State Route 706, Montrose, PA 18801. The donations will be packed by the VFW Auxiliary to go to our local veterans to use in the upcoming holiday season.

Susquehanna County and Veterans Affairs Office support the National Association of Counties’ and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers’ Operation Green Light for Veterans by passing the following resolution: “BE IT RESOLVED, with designation as a Green Light for Veterans County, Susquehanna County herby declares from October through Veterans Day, November 11th 2024, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” and further encourages its citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence.

Veterans Day Monday, November 11th at Montrose VFW Post 5642 the Auxiliary will be sponsoring a free breakfast to all Veterans from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Veterans can order items off the menu.

Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans’ Support Group at Lenox VFW, November 4th and every, first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM. 

Vietnam Support Group at Lenox VFW, October 21st, November 4th, and every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM. 

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

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