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.
VETERANS CORNER
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
Unemployability & DD 214/discharge paperwork & Fill the Cruiser
Individual Unemployability, also called Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) allows VA to pay certain Veterans at the 100-percent disability rate even though their service-connected disabilities are not rated as 100-percent disabling. Veterans may be eligible for this rating increase if they are either unemployed or unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because of their service-connected disability (or disabilities).
Substantially gainful employment is simply full-time employment that provides a wage greater than the poverty level. For the 48 contiguous states in 2025, the poverty threshold is $15,650 for a household of one, $21,150 for a household of two, $26,650 for a household of three, and $32,150 for a household of four. (HHS.gov). For example, a Veteran trained to drive a truck who cannot work because of service-connected back and stomach conditions, may qualify for Individual Unemployability.
To qualify for Individual Unemployability, a Veteran must have one of the following:
1) a 60-percent or more disability evaluation based on a single service-connected disability
OR
2) a 70-percent combined disability evaluation based on multiple service-connected disabilities, with at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more.
AND
You cannot hold a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. Odd jobs (marginal employment) do not count. (va.gov)
In some cases, separate related conditions can be put together to come up with the “single service-connected disability” to meet the above criteria:
1) Disabilities of one or both extremities, or one or both lower extremities, including bi-lateral factors
2) Disabilities resulting from a common etiology or single event
3) Disabilities affecting a single body system, e.g., orthopedic, digestive, respiratory, etc.
4) Multiple injuries incurred in action
5) Multiple disabilities incurred as a POW (NVLSP)
These conditions are simply added together using standard math (not VA math).
When filing a claim for Individual Unemployability you may have to provide evidence (supporting documents like a doctor’s report or medical test results) showing that your disability prevents you from holding down a steady job. The VA will review your work and education history.
Forms for Individual Unemployability benefits: Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940), Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-256ez), and Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192).
Susquehanna Veterans Affairs will gladly help any Veteran who thinks they may qualify for Individual Unemployability to apply to the VA for this benefit.
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 apply for at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. The Veteran will need an ID.me account to apply online, however, the option is to fill out the Standard Form 180 and mailing it to the National Personnel Records Center is also available on the site. Our office can assist you with applying to the National Archives for DD214 upon request.
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 for Wartime Period Veterans with Veteran income cap $114,637-not including VA compensation; 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 18th
Fill the Cruiser Veterans Food Drive on Saturday October 18th 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.
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans’ Support Group at Lenox VFW, November 3rd and every, first Monday of Month at 5:30 PM.
Vietnam Support Group at Lenox VFW, October 20th, November 3rd, and every 1st and 3rd Monday at 10:30 AM.
Our office can be reached at the following:
P.O. Box 218 /31 Lake Avenue Montrose, PA 18801 (Courthouse-side entrance facing the green)
Phone: 570-278-5955 or 570-278-4600 Ext. 3045
Fax: 570-278-5977
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