We Work For The Veteran And Their Family . . . Not The VA.
The El Paso County Veteran's Services office was established by State law to advise and assist veterans, their dependents, and their survivors concerning any VA benefits which such person may be, or may have been, entitled to receive under the laws of the United States or the State of Colorado. The office is not a part of the Department of Veteran Affairs, which is a Federal government agency, but serves as a liaison between the claimant and the VA.
Copy of Discharge Papers
Members of the armed forces are provided a discharge record, DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, on completion of total military service, including active and reserve service. Your discharge (DD214 or equivalent) is a very important document, because your eligibility for all VA benefits is determined by it. There are a number of sources from which you may be able to get certified copies or photo-copies your discharge papers. You can obtain a copy of your DD214 from http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs or contact the Veterans Service Office and we will assist you with your request.
Certain VA benefits require service during wartime. Under the law, VA recognizes these war periods:
Mexican Border Period: May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
World War I: April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6 1917, through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
World War II: December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946.
Korean War: June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955.
Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975.
Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
Are there any state benefits?
Special Vehicle License Plates: The State provides plates at no cost to the Veteran include: recipients of the Medal of Honor, recipients of the Purple Heart, to certain disabled wartime Veterans, special disabled (50%+)Veterans license plates, and special license plates for former POWs. Plates for honorably discharged Veterans may be purchased for nominal fee. January 2007, There will be issued a “Valor Plate” for those veterans who have received the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross ,Air Force DSC, and Survivors of Pearl Harbor and/or their surviving spouse.
Small Game Hunting and Fishing License: Free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license. Eligibility: Resident Veteran with a service-connected disability of 50% or more.
Property Tax Exemption: 100% Permanent and Total Veterans may qualify Property Tax Exemption
For more information on Colorado state benefits: http://www.dmva.state.co.us/page/va
Updating Personal Information
To update personal information such as an address or phone number, please call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Our office can also assist you providing the information in writing.
Changing Direct Deposit
To change your direct deposit information, call 1-877-838-2778. Our office can help you obtain the form required to cancel a direct deposit.
Since the time of the Civil War, veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in the appointments to Federal Jobs. 5 Preference points can be added to the passing examination score of a veteran who has served on active duty for at least 180 days and have an honorable discharge. A 10 point preference can be added to the passing score of a veteran who has a service connected disability rated by the VA and is in receipt of compensation for the disability. There are additional provisions for unmarried spouses or mothers of deceased veterans or veterans that are totally & permanently disabled. Preference points are not applicable for Guard & Reserve members who perform Active Duty for Training. For further information on Veterans Preference go to http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsInfo.asp or contact the County Veteran Service Office.
Apply for VA Home Loan Guarantee
Bring your discharge papers (DD Form 214) to our office. We will assist in obtaining a form and send it in to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) office to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. You will present the Certificate of Eligibility to your lender when applying for a home loan. It is important to compare rates, fees and programs offered by your lender. For more information see Home Loan Guaranty Services - Dept of Veterans Affairs.