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 Brians 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
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 VAs 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