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About Us

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HISTORY

Originated in 1926, The Erie County Veterans Service Agency was the first of its kind in the State of New York.  Due to the increased demand for such services, and accelerated by World War II, the Agency became a part of the county government on January 1, 1945.  Since that time, this office has provided service to many thousands of Erie County veterans and their dependents.

DESCRIPTION

The Erie County Veterans Service Agency is mandated by New York State Executive Law, Section 357. The directive of this office is to provide quality service, advocacy, and guidance in a timely manner for Erie County veterans and their families. The office works with clients to assist them in applying for earned benefits.

MISSION

To inform veterans, current service members, and their families of the many federal, state, and local benefits that they may be eligible for. Through community involvement, the office will remain a strong force in Erie County by working collaboratively with local veteran organizations and the veteran community to foster relationships and increase awareness with veterans and their families.

SERVICE OFFICER ADVOCACY

The Director and staff are passionate, caring, and concerned representatives and, as such are able to present claims for further development, institute appeals from Veterans Administration decisions, and follow through to final disposition with representation in Washington. In this manner, the Office of Veterans Services offers a personalized service not available from other sources.

Erie County Veteran Service Officers will help you navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs' bureaucracy, and our services are free. We will help with gathering the information necessary to support a claim, filing the claim, and tracking the claim through the VA system. We can also assist with filing appeals for denied claims. We strongly recommend that you make use of the services provided by County Veterans Service Officers. Our expertise can help you avoid the pitfalls and delays that missing paperwork or improperly filled out claim forms can cause.

In addition to the normal benefits provided by law to survivors of deceased veterans, this is the only agency charged with and responsible for processing, at county expense, of the burial of indigent veterans and next-of-kin of veterans.

Accredited American Legion Service Officers (716) 858-6363

A specialized service of your ERIE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

A fully trained office staff, experienced in every detail of claims processing, assures the claimant of efficient, confidential, and sympathetic service with the least possible consumption of time and a minimum of "red tape".