Links and Resources
- VA Office of Inspector General Hotline
Help VA'S Secretary to ensure the integrity of departmental operations by reporting suspected fraud, waste or abuse in VA programs or operations.
Call the VAOIG Hotline toll-free at 1-800-488-8244
[8:30am-4:00pm Eastern Time Monday-Friday excluding Federal holidays]
You may also contact them by mail, e-mail and FAX:
Write the VAOIG Hotline:
VA INSPECTOR GENERAL HOTLINE (53E)
P.O. BOX 50410
WASHINGTON, DC 20091-0410
E-mail the VAOIG Hotline: vaoighotline@va.gov
FAX the VAOIG Hotline: (202) 565-7936 - The White House Agenda on Veterans Affairs
The administration aims to transform the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
US Senate's legislative and oversight committee on veterans affairs. - The House Committee on Veterans Affairs
From the US House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Provides information and links concerning current topics and policies - New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs
- Property Taxes
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- GI Bill Website:
GI Bill Benefits are $1,321 per month for full-time students. The GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after your discharge date, so take advantage soon! - New York State Tuition Award for OEF and OIF campaign veterans:
New York State veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom are eligible for a New York State Tuition Award valued at $2,175 per semester for full-time students (Usually 12 or more credits) effective Fall Semester of 2008. The current rate is $1,000 per semester. - The Center for Veterans Enterprise Web Portal:
A center of resource for enterprising veterans -or- "vetrepreneurs". Find out about the Patriot Loan and how the VA can help you start your own business. - VA Home Loan Form 26-1880:
Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility when applying for a VA Home Loan by filling out VA Form 26-1880. A VA home loan offers you many advantages that you don't receive with a conventional home loan and mortgage. - Request a Copy of Veteran's Military Records Electronically:
A veteran, next of kin, or surviving spouse may request a copy of the military records, commonly referred to as DD form 214, by completing the online application and faxing (preferred) or mailing a signed request to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis Missouri. The online-to-fax method usually takes two to three weeks to receive your copy. The traditional mailing method takes several months to a year.INSTRUCTIONS:
- Step 1: This will bring you to the National Archives Website; scroll down to the bottom of the webpage and click on the red button/bar that says "Request Military Records"
- Step 2: A window will pop up, which will be the application to request your military records
- Step 3: Go through each of the 4 steps; when you get to last part of step 4, verify the information you have submitted and push continue.
- Step 4: Press Print; two pages will print out. One page will have a place to sign, directions along with a fax number to send this paper to. The second paper will just have a place to sign your name. Sign the second piece of paper without the directions and fax it to St. Louis at (314) 801-9049.
* Attention Navy Veterans:
Navy personnel discharged after the year 1995 should request their military records from the Navy Personnel Command. Following is the proper procedure for requesting your separation papers (DD Form 214) or military records from the Navy Personnel Command:
- Call 1-866-827-5672 to verify that your records are indeed stored with the Navy Personnel Command.
- Complete Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) located HERE
- Fax the completed Standard Form 180 to the following number: 901-874-2664 - or - mail form to:
Navy Personnel Command
PERS 312D1
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-3120
Please note that it takes approximately 10-14 days to receive a copy of the Report of Separation (DD Form 214) and approximately one month to receive the entire military records folder from the Navy Personnel Command when faxing the request. If using snail mail, it can take several months.
*Attention Marine Corps Veterans:
Within the past few years, the U.S. Marine Corps began retiring most military personnel records to its Personnel Management Support Branch instead of the National Personnel Records Center. For those who have been discharged/retired after 1997, fax or mail your request using a standard letter format or the Records Request Form and send to the address below with your full name, social security number, home mailing address, type of information requested and your signature:
Manpower Management
Support Branch (MMSB-10)
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico,Virginia 22134Phone: (800) 268-3710
Fax: (703)-784-5792Marines who are requesting a copy of medical and dental records, and were discharged/retired in 1994 or later should call (314) 538-4500 to verify that the records are indeed stored with the Personnel Management Support Branch. You may then mail or fax your request to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Records Management Center
(RMC)
P.O. Box 5020
St. Louis , MO 63115Phone: (314) 538-4500
Fax: (314) 538-4571 - Obtain or File a Certified Copy of a Veteran's Military Records at The Erie County Clerk's Office:
You can obtain a certified copy of the veteran's military records, or DD form 214, at the Erie County Clerk's Office located at 92 Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo. Approximately one in four Erie County veterans have filed a copy of their discharge papers with the Erie County Clerk's Office. This copy is as good as the original and can usually be obtained the same day of your request if you go there personally. Call 716-858-8865 to verify that there is a copy available. - Buffalo VA Medical Center:
The Buffalo VA Medical Center is located at 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Their phone number is 716-834-9200 -or- toll free: 1-800-532-8387 - Buffalo DAV Transportation Network:
The DAV Transportation Network provides transportation for veterans in need of health care. Contact Richard Kloc at 716-862-6544. - Buffalo VA Regional Office:
The Buffalo VA Regional Office is located at 130 South Elmwood in downtown Buffalo. Call 1800-827-1000 to reach them or to find out the status of your claim filed with the VA. - Military Officers Association of America Top Five Benefits Questions
- NIMAC – Niagara Falls Military Affairs Council

- Buffalo VA Medical Staff
- Volunteer
- National Resource Directory
- World War II - The Netherlands
- Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
- National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
- VA's Website for Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF)
This site provides information on benefits and services available to returning service members of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). - Veteran Employment Group of Buffalo Niagara
Goodwill Industries of Western New York
1119 William Street, Buffalo NY 14206-1897
Contact: Julius Gallagher (716)854-3494 or juliusgallagher@hotmail.com
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS - Federal, State and County
Financial
- VA Pension (Non-Service Connected)
- Disability Compensation (Service-Connected)
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)
- Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment
- Annual Income Questionnaire
- Health Care Services
- Home Loan Guaranty
- Home Modification Programs
- Hospitalization and Domiciliary Care
- Application for Replacement of Separation Papers
- Veterans Life Insurance
- Survivors Benefits
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- New York State Veterans Property Tax Exemption
- NYS Gold Star Parents Annuity
- NYS Blind Annuity
- Licenses & Permits
- Employment Resources
- NYS Civil Service Law Section 55-C
- Veterans with disabilities are not required to take a written or oral examination, but they must meet the educational and/or experience qualifications for the position.
Education Benefits
- The Post- 9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33
- Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 30
- Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 1606
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
- Post Vietnam Veterans’ Education Assistance Program (VEAP) – Chapter 32
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance – Chapter 35
- Erie County Educational Institutions Partnerships
- Burial and Plot-Interment Allowances
- Headstones and Grave Markers
- Burial Flags
- Death Compensation
- Military Funeral Honors
- Burials and Memorials
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Survivors Benefits
- Death Pension
- Erie County Indigent Burial Benefits
- In addition to the normal benefits provided by law to survivors of deceased veterans, this is the only agency charged with and responsible for processing, at county expense, of the burial of indigent veterans and next-of-kin of veterans.
The Erie County Office of Veterans Services may also provide assistance to veterans and their families with the following local benefits and services
- Application for Medals
- Correction of Military Records and Discharges
- Discharge Upgrades
- Obtaining Military Separation Papers
- Homeless Assistance
- DAV Transportation Network
- Job Referrals
- Community Outreach
- Press/Media Relations
- Stand Downs & Care Fairs
- Veterans Advocacy
- Veteran Memorial Buildings and Monuments
- Veterans' Recognition Events
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