Veterans Affairs, Administrations, and Outreach Centers

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• Department of Veterans Affairs - (U.S.A.)

Questions Regarding VA Benefits and/or Claims

Answers to questions regarding VA benefits in general or a veteran's specific questions about their own claim may be obtained by dialing 1-800-827-1000. This number will put you in contact with a Veterans Benefits Counselor at the VA Regional Office having jurisdiction over your claim.

For example: a veteran calling the 800 number in Nebraska would reach a counselor in Lincoln, Nebraska, while a veteran calling that 800 number in Florida would reach a counselor in St. Petersburg, Forida.

Veterans Outreach Centers

The VA maintains Veterans Outreach Centers at various locations throughout the country. These centers maintain job placement centers, social readjustment counseling, PTSD recovery, and should be able to provide a gateway to related VA programs and possibly other non-VA programs.

It's probably worth mentioning, however, that these are not intervention efforts. The individual must be willing to at least stop by (or be brought by) for a visit. A few of us have been able to get some of the homeless Vets into these centers, and some real miracles were worked here.

There are two of these centers in the DC/MD/North VA area. I assume (hope) that any VA office would be able to put you in contact with this type of center in your area.

Basically, all that is required for entry is a copy of the Vet's DD214; and, if that's not available as it probably isn't in the case of some of the Vets, then the Center can get a copy for them.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Message Board

Access for the Handicapped When Traveling

• A company called Accent Books and Products publishes several travel guides including "Handicapped in Walt Disney World," "Wheels and Waves" (cruises, ferries, barges), "Easy Access to National Parks" (USA), and "Fun Vacations" (an anthology of travel articles from Accent magazine).

  Prices range from $4.00 to $16.00. For further information and to order, write:

  Accent On Living
  
  PO Box 700
  
  Bloomington, IL 61702

  Phone: 309-378-2961
  
  FAX: 309-378-4420

  There is also an 800 number for ordering only: 1-800-787-8444 (Monday-Friday, 0800-1600, Central Standard Time).

  Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped (SATH) has a bibliography of material concerning travel for the handicapped. Address is:

  347 Fifth Ave., Ste. 610
  

  New York, NY 10016

  Phone: 1-212-447-7284

  "A World of Options--Guide to International Educational Exchange, Community Service and Travel for Persons with Disablilites" is available from:

  Mobility International USA
  

  PO Box 10767
  

  Eugene OR 97440

  Phone: 503-343-1284
  

  FAX: 503-343-6812

  Fodor's has a guidebook for US destinations: "Great American Vacations for Travelers with Disabilities." The most recent edition is 1997.

Ann Kelsey
1997

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Revised 05-04-98 by DGS

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