Supporting Our Local Heroes

A Veterans Resource Guide Provided by Assemblyman Brian Manktelow

Assemblyman Brian Manktelow served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant after graduating from Williamson High School. Brian is passionate about helping his veterans in any way he can, which is why he has compiled the following information. As a member of the Assembly, Brian plans on fighting for continued funding for veterans services, programs and organizations along with supporting legislation to help the men and women who have served our country. If you have a suggestion for an addition or amendment to any of the information on this page, please contact Brian’s district office at (315) 946-5166 or e-mail him at manktelowb@nyassembly.gov.

The NYS Assembly is dedicated to supporting the brave men and women who have honorably served our country. In order to show our appreciation for their sacrifices, we offer many services, programs and legislation to benefit the veterans of our great state.

Interested veterans can find important phone numbers and information below:

Emergency Phone Numbers

Healthcare Benefits………………………………....1-800-222-8387

Veterans Crisis Line………………………………....1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

National Suicide Prevention…………………….…...1-800-273-8255

Wayne County Department of Social Services……...(315) 946-4881

Cayuga County Department of Social Services……..(315) 253-1011

Oswego County Department of Social Services……..(315) 963-5000

VA Medical Centers......................................................1-877-222-8387

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital...........................(315) 332-2022

Canandaigua VA Medical Center..................................(585) 394-2000

Syracuse VA Medical Center.........................................(315) 425-4400

Auburn Community Hospital..........................................(315) 255-7011

Geneva General Hospital.................................................(315) 787-4000

Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic.................................(315) 462-9561

F.F. Thompson Hospital ..................................................(585) 396-6000

Oswego Hospital...............................................................(315) 349-5511

Rochester General Hospital..............................................(585) 922-4000

Strong Memorial Hospital................................................(585) 275-2100

Upstate University Hospital..............................................(315) 464-4540

Important Phone Numbers

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)……….......1-800-827-1000

Cross Servicing………………………………......…..1-866-213-1714

Health Eligibility Center (HEC)……………......…....(404) 828-5423

Income Verification Match (IVM)…………......…...1-800-929-8387

Military OneSource......................................................1-800-342-9647

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)...............................................................1-866-966-1020

Veterans Affairs:

  • Enrollment and Eligibility…........................….1-877-222-8387
  • Billing................................................................1-866-400-1238
  • Payment by Phone.............................................1-888-827-4817
  • Veterans Choice Program..................................1-866-606-8198
  • Community Care Call Center............................1-877-881-7618
  • Pension Maintenance Center (VARO)..............1-877-294-6380
  • Home Loans.......................................................1-877-827-3702
  • Education Information........................................1-888-442-4551
  • Defense Finance & Account Service (DFAS)...1-800-321-1080

Identity Theft Helpline…………………………........1-855-578-5492

My HealtheVet………………………………….......1-877-327-0022

Treasury Offset Program (TOP)...................................1-800-304-3107

Counseling & Emotional Support

Wayne Behavior Health Network
1519 Nye Road
Lyons, NY 14489
(315) 946-5722

Oswego County Mental Health Association
74 Bunner Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-3535

Cayuga County Community Mental Health Center
146 North Street,
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 253-0341

Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency, Inc.
28 East Main Street,
Clifton Springs, NY 14432
(315) 462-9466

Health Care Information

VA Health Administration
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?STATE=NY&dnum=ALL

VA Health Care System
Buffalo - https://www.buffalo.va.gov/

VA Medical Centers

Batavia VA Medical Center
222 Richmond Avenue,
Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 297-1000
https://www.buffalo.va.gov/locations/batavia.asp

Bath VA Medical Center
76 Veterans Avenue,
Bath, NY 14810
(607) 664-4000
https://www.bath.va.gov/

Canandaigua VA Medical Center
400 Fort Hill Avenue,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-2000
https://www.canandaigua.va.gov/

Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Oswego Community Based Outpatient Clinic
437 State Route 104E,
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 207-0120
https://www.syracuse.va.gov/locations/Oswego_Community_Based_Outpatient_Clinic.asp

Rochester Community Based Outpatient Clinic
465 Westfall Road,
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 463-2600
https://www.canandaigua.va.gov/locations/rochester.asp

Vet Center

Rochester Vet Center
200 S. Winton Road, Building 5, Suite 201,
Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 393-7608
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=465&dnum=All

Employment & Education Information

NYS Department of Labor
Central NY (Cayuga & Oswego County)
450 South Salina Street, Suite 302,
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 479-3362
Roy.jewell@labor.ny.gov

Finger Lakes (Wayne County)
276 Waring Road,
Rochester, NY 14609
(585) 258-8875
Jason.kirchhoff@labor.ny.gov

Veterans Tuition Awards

These awards may be granted to full-time and part-time eligible veterans who are matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate institution or in an applicable vocational program in New York State.

http://www.veterans.ny.gov/content/veterans-tuition-awards

GI Bill Programs

Educational programs and scholarships, ranging from the reserve educational assistance program to the veterans retraining program, can be found on this vast list of federally supported educational resources for eligible veterans.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
1-888-442-4551

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. A specific component, the Yellow Ribbon Program, is available for degree-granting institutions in the U.S. or at an eligible branch for those residing outside the U.S. The program enables approved institutions of higher learning and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition & fees that exceed the already established thresholds of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Government Services

US Department of Veterans Affairs
1-800-827-1000
www.va.gov

NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs
1-888-838-7697
www.veterans.ny.gov

Housing Services

Homes for Veterans Program

The Homes for Veterans Program offers qualifying veterans low fixed-rate mortgages through the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA). Veterans must have served in the active military and have discharged under any other conditions other than dishonorable. Active duty service members, honorably discharged National Guardsmen or Reservists who are first time homebuyers can take advantage of the program benefits if they fit the qualifications. Please visit the following links to learn more and see if you, or your loved one, qualifies!

https://veterans.ny.gov/content/homes-veterans-program

http://www.nyshcr.org/Topics/Home/Buyers/SONYMA/HomesforVeteransProgram.htm

VA NY Harbor Health Care System – Homeless Veterans

https://www.nyharbor.va.gov/services/homeless/index.asp

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
1730 M Street NW, Suite 705
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-VET-HELP
info@nchv.org
http://nchv.org/

The Aid & Attendance Benefit

At the state and federal levels, our government recognizes the steep costs affiliated with long-term, at- home or nursing home care. In an effort to ease financial burdens, there is a benefit to assist eligible wartime veterans and their families with costly day-to-day living expenses. In the event of sudden disability, veterans and their family members should consider this valuable benefit.


http://www.veterans.ny.gov/content/aid-and-attendance-benefit

To find out if you or a loved one is eligible for any of these important services or to schedule an appointment with a Veterans Benefits Advisor, please call the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs Help Line at 1-888-838-7697 (VETSNYS).

Transportation

Veterans Transportation Program (VTP)

The VA’s VTP offers travel solutions to veterans to and from VA health care facilities at little or no cost to eligible veterans.

https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/

DAV – Need a Ride?

Across the country, the DAV provides free transportation through the use of a fleet of vehicles to get veterans who are ill, injured or need medical attention to VA medical facilities.

https://www.dav.org/veterans/i-need-a-ride/

Membership Organizations & Other Services

County Veterans Service Officers Association (CVSOA)

“The mission of the County Veterans’ Service Officers is to provide entitlement information and advocacy assistance to military personal, to military veterans, and to their dependents in matters relating to veterans’ law.” – CVSOA Mission

Services Offered Statewide:

  • VA life insurance
  • VA pension for non-service-connect disabilities
  • VA burial benefits and grave markers
  • VA home loan guaranties
  • Military records
  • NYS blind annuity
  • VA compensation for service-connected disabilities
  • VA health care
  • Federal, State & Local medals or awards
  • VA compensation/pension to family members of deceased veterans
  • VA, State & Local employment and reemployment
  • VA education and vocational rehabilitation
  • Other Federal, State and Local benefits

Services Offered at Some Locations:

  • Notary service
  • In-home visits to assist the housebound with claims for entitlements
  • Assistance and training for veterans’ organizations
  • Transportation service to VA Medical Centers
  • Assistance in obtaining legal documents (marriage, birth, military, etc.)
  • Satellite offices for the convenience of their constituents
  • Cooperative programs with other agencies (employment, welfare, etc.)
  • Information to community service organizations
  • Assistance with community affairs (memorial services, job fairs, etc.)
  • Local veterans’ cemetery programs

Wayne County Veterans Service Agency

(VARO/Buffalo)

Director – Jason Eldridge
jeldridge@co.wayne.ny.us

Veterans Service Officer – Renee Maybee
rmaybee@co.wayne.ny.us

Burial Specialist – Christina Savage
csavage@co.wayne.ny.us

7376 Route 31, Suite 1300,
Lyons, NY 14489
(315) 946-5993
https://web.co.wayne.ny.us/index.php/veterans-service-agency/

Oswego County Veterans Service Agency

(VARO/Buffalo)

Director – Jamie Hamlin
Jamie.hamlin@oswegocounty.com


Veterans Services Assistant – JoAnne Pantaleo
Joanne.demong@oswegocounty.com

Veterans Service Assistant – Sue Manno
Susan.manno@oswegocounty.com

200 North Street,
Fulton, NY 13069
(315) 591-9100
http://www.oswegocounty.com/veterans/

Cayuga County Veterans’ Service Agency

(VARO/Buffalo)

Director – Larry W. Wilt
lwilt@cayugacounty.us

Deputy Director – Lindsey D. Wilkinson
lwilkinson@cayugacounty.us

Veterans Service Officer – Chris Steinbacher
csteinbacher@cayugacounty.us

95 Genesee Street, 3rd Floor,
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 253-1281
veterans@cayugacounty.us
https://www.cayugacounty.us/318/Veterans-Service-Agency

National:

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America
85 Broad Street, 16th Floor,
New York, NY 10004
(212) 982-9699
https://iava.org/
info@iava.org

Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.
1811 R Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-6280
jwv@jwv.org
https://www.jwv.org/

Catholic War Veterans & Auxiliary of the United States
237-20 92nd Road,
Bellerose, NY 11426
(703) 549-3622
admin@cwv.org
http://www.cwv.org/

National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.
1-877-NABVETS
https://nabvets.weebly.com/

Blinded Veterans Association
125 N. West Street, 3rd Floor,
Alexandria, VA 22314
800-669-7079
bva@bva.org
http://www.bva.org/BVA

Disabled Veterans National Foundation
4601 Forbes Boulevard, Suite #130,
Lanham, MD 20706
(202) 737-0522
info@dvnf.org
https://dvnf.org/

American Ex-Prisoners of War
https://www.axpow.org/default.htm

Military Order of the Purple Heart
membership@purpleheart.org
https://www.purpleheart.org/

AMVETS
4647 Forbes Boulevard,
Lanham, MD 20706
1-877-726-8387
http://amvets.org/

Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 Eighteenth Street NW,
Washington, DC 20006
1-800-424-8200
info@pva.org
https://www.pva.org/

Student Veterans of America
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 223-4710
https://studentveterans.org/

Wounded Warrior Project
370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802
New York, NY 10001
(212) 629-8881
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc.
Send Applications & Renewals to:
NACVSO Membership
P.O. Box 878
Brunswick, Ohio 44212
May checks payable to NACVSO
/www.nacvso.org/

County Veterans Service Officers Association of the State of New York, Inc.
Send completed application & payment to:
Ellen M. Androw, CVSOA Executive Director
Madison County Veterans Service Agency
P.O. Box 546, Wampsville, NY 13163
Make checks payable to CVSOA
www.nacvso.org

Direct membership inquires to:
Ellen M. Androw, CVSOA Executive Director
(315) 366-2397
cvsoa@madisoncounty.ny.gov

American Veterans Center

The World War II Veterans Committee
1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 910,
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 302-1012
info@AmericanVeteransCenter.org
https://www.americanveteranscenter.org/

Regional:

Department of Veterans Affairs
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #601,
Buffalo, NY 14202

AMVETS
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #623,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3115

Regional Director – Denise Marie Bugaj
Denise.bugaj@va.gov

National Service Officer – Bill Siegel
William.siegel@va.gov

Disabled American Veterans
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #620,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3354

National Service Officer – Timothy McGowan

Military Order of the Purple Heart
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #624,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3346

National Service Officer – Carl Wampler
Carl.wampler@va.gov

Paralyzed Veterans of America
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #621,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3352

National Service Officer – Nona Nixon
nonan@pva.org

Vietnam Veterans of America
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite 629#,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3344

Veterans Service Officer – Dolores Garcia
Dolores.garcia1@va.gov

Veterans Service Officer & Administrative Assistant – Norbert Steinwandel
Norbet.steinwandel@va.gov

Patriot Guard Riders of New York
www.pgrny.org

State Captian – Bill Schaaf
pgrnysc@gmail.com

Assistant State Captain (Regions 1-3) – Nigel Heaton
nigelvh@aol.com

Region 2 – Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Chemung, Tioga, Broom

Region 3 – Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Lewis, Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer

Help On The Homefront Program (HOTH)
HOTH is a volunteer outreach program which provides support to veterans, the families of deployed service members and Gold Star families.

HOTH Acting Director – Dave Kern
patriotgriderny@gmail.com

Veteran Recovery Program (VRP)

The mission of the VRP is to locate, identify and inter any unclaimed remains of veterans to provide a final resting place to pay respect to lost and forgotten heroes.

Local:

Vietnam Veterans of America
VVA Chapter #205
135 State Street,
Auburn, NY 13021

VVA Chapter #704
PO Box 1484,
Auburn, NY 13024

Korean War Veterans Association

Cayuga County
15 Henry Drive,
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 729-4793

Finger Lakes #1
15 Reed Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
(315) 539-2928

Disabled American Veterans

VA Regional Office
130 S. Elmwood Avenue, Suite 620,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3354
https://www.dav.org/

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Regional

130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #626,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3348

Director – Thomas Todaro
Thomas.todaro2@va.gov

Department Service Officer – Stephen Lutter
Stephen.lutter@va.gov

Wayne County

Post 5092 Lyons Memorial Post
202 Geneva Street, PO Box 286, Lyons, NY 14489
(315) 946-6263
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Monday

Post 2883 Arcadia Memorial Post
225 E Union Street, Newark, NY 14513
(315) 331-6529
Meeting: 7:30 p.m. 1st Thursday

Post 947 Bud Hinman Post
26 Sodus Street, Clyde, NY 14433
(315) 923-5351
Meeting: 6:00 p.m. 1st Wednesday

Post 6778 Palmyra Memorial Post
4306 Route 31, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315) 597-5683
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 4th Wednesday

Post 7417 Charles W. Hall Post
11972 W Main Street, Wolcott, NY 14590
(315) 594-8963
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Thursday

Cayuga County

Post 8137 Thurston-Schramm-Reynolds Post
513 Erie Street, Montezuma, NY 13117
(315) 776-4714
Meeting: 6:00 p.m. 2nd Wednesday

Oswego County

Post 5885 Quattrini-Dehm Post
14 Bronson Street, Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 343-1786
Meeting: 6:30 p.m. 1st Wednesday

American Legion

Statewide

Department of New York
112 State Street, Suite 1300,
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 463-2215
info@nylegion.org
https://nylegion.net/

Regional

The American Legion Office
130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite #613,
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 857-3361

Department Service Officer – Anthony Druzbik
Assistant Department Service Officer – Bert deVirgilio

Wayne County

NY Post 494, Philip Steiger, Inc.
76 Main St., Macedon, NY 14502
(315) 986-4527
Meeting: 7:30 p.m. 3rd Thursday (Sept-June)

NY Post 1430, Marion Memorial
4141 Witherden Rd., PO Box 42, Marion, NY 14505
(315) 926-5571
Meeting: 6:30 p.m. 1st Monday

NY Post 286, August Mauer
200 E. Union St., Newark, NY 14513
(315) 331-2150
Meeting: 7:30 p.m. 3rd Thursday

NY Post 428, Meyers-Ingraham
6180 Knickerbocker Rd., Ontario, NY 14519
(315) 524-9542
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 3rd Wednesday
http://www.nylegionpost428.com/

NY Post 120, James R. Hickey
132 Cuyler St., Palmyra, NY 14522
(315) 597-2412
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Monday
http://palmyraamericanlegion.com/

NY Post 436, Peterson-Hall
Red Creek Conservation Club
6924 Waters Rd., Red Creek, NY 14502
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 3rd Monday

NY Post 582, Miner-Youngs
PO Box 461, North Rose, NY 14516

NY Post 1343, Arthur T. Meehan
1663 Main St., Savannah, NY 13146
(315) 365-3723
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 3rd Tuesday

NY Post 910, Frank B. Verschoot Memorial
6977 Maple Ave., Sodus, NY 14551
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday

NY Post 1208, Meade-Price
4926 Old Bath Rd., Wayne, NY 14893
(607) 292-6223
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Monday

NY Post 394, Williamson
6206 Lake Ave., Williamson, NY 14589
(315) 589-3851
Meeting: 7:30 p.m. 2nd Thursday
http://williamsonlegion394.com/

NY Post 881, Wolcott
10675 Ridge Rd., Wolcott, NY 14590
(315) 594-2122
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 1st Thursday

Cayuga County

NY Post 911, La Buff-Cole
2558 Legion St., Cato, NY 13033
(315) 626-6737
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Thursday

Oswego County

NY Post 1552, Prior-Stock, Inc.
226 Rochester St., Hannibal, NY 13074
(315) 564-6427
Meeting: 7:30 p.m. 2nd Monday
http://www.hannibalpost1552.org/

NY Post 486, Leadbetter-Brinklow, Inc.
Minetto Town Hall
6 Community Dr., Minetto, NY 13115
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday

NY Post 268, Williams S. Monaghan
69 W. Bridge St., Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 343-7130
Meeting: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Tuesday