HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mt. Sinai) today unveiled a comprehensive Suffolk County Veterans Resource Guide that will make it easier for veterans and their families to search for available benefits and opportunities that may otherwise be missed. The Veterans Resource Guide is an informational book that supplies contact information to military veterans and their caregivers, and was created as a direct result of legislation (Res. No. 589-2019) that Legislator Anker introduced last year.
“We have an obligation to ensure that our veterans have quick and reliable access to the services on a moment’s notice, and that is what this resource guide accomplishes,” said Legislator Anker. “I encourage any veteran, service member or caregiver to review this informative packet to see if they would benefit from or qualify for any programs outlined.”
Suffolk County has one of the largest military veterans population in the country, and the largest in New York State. Suffolk County’s Veterans Service Agency has a wealth of resources including: benefit programs with information on disability compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation, home loan guarantee, life insurance; legal assistance; and state benefits that offer Vietnam veterans tuition, Persian Gulf veterans’ tuition and veterans tax exemption.
In addition, the county provides assistance with filing claims for benefits from federal & state agencies, filing DD-214, discharge papers and separation papers, and in-home visits to assist the housebound veterans with claims.
“As the daughter of a disabled Navy veteran, I know how important it is to provide assistance to our veterans and their families,” said Legislator Anker. “We have an entire department that has knowledge and guidance to help our veterans who have provided this county with our freedoms. It’s the least we can do for our county’s brave military men and women, and this guide will provide a much-needed bridge for those that are in need of our wealth of resources and opportunities.”
The guide will be available online, as well as printed for those who do not have on-line technology.
For more information about Suffolk County’s Veterans Services call 631-853-VETS (8387) or go to
www.suffolkcountyny.gov/veterans for Suffolk County veterans’ services.
For online access to the Veterans Resource Guide go to:
https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/4/docs/SuffolkCountyVetGuide.pdf?ver=2020-02-10-150412-320