The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs reminds veterans the start of the new year is a good time to meet with a professional to ensure they are receiving or maximizing the benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice.

“Often times veterans apply for benefits, accept the results and don’t ever check later to see if there are updates that could work in their favor,” Joel Mutschler, director, Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration and Outreach, said.

“By meeting with an accredited veteran service officer, veterans can see if a life change or an update to benefit policies may have changed their eligibility. There are numerous accredited veteran service officers and veteran service organizations around the state that are eager to help. In this era of the pandemic a benefits review can take place by phone or virtually.”

Mutschler said safeguarding military paperwork, especially the DD-214, which is used to verify military service, is an important first step for securing benefits.

The easiest way to manage military documents is to make sure they are filed in a safe place immediately upon leaving the military.

Veterans often find filing their documents for free at their county courthouse of record is an easy way to secure them until needed, which can often be decades into the future.

Anyone needing assistance locating their military documentation can get assistance from the DMVA by calling toll-free 800-547-2838 or emailing: RA-REQ@pa.gov.

Another key step, Mutschler said, is for veterans to apply for federal health care and state benefits by visiting their local county director of veterans affairs or area accredited veteran service organizations to take a look at what benefits they may be eligible for and to get help applying for those benefits.

A complete list of county directors and their contact information can be found at https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Pages/Outreach-and-Reintegration/County-Directors.aspx.

Contact information for veteran service officers can be found at https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Documents/Veterans%20Service%20Officers/Veteran%20Service%20Officers%20Contact%20Information%20January%202021.pdf.

In addition to connecting with a county director or an accredited veteran service organization, Mutschler recommends every one of Pennsylvania’s nearly 800,000 veterans should sign up for the DMVA Veterans Registry, a free tool that electronically delivers timely information about the many state benefits, programs and services available to veterans.

Veterans, family members and people who work with veterans can register by computer or mobile device at www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

Mutschler cautions veterans and their dependents should never pay for help to apply for veteran’s benefits because an abundance of free, professional help is available.

If someone tries to charge a veteran for this service, the veteran should decline the assistance.

There are about 200 veteran service officers in Pennsylvania who work with organizations such as the DMVA, county veterans affairs offices and several veterans service organizations.

The veteran service officers are experienced, trained professionals who provide veterans with the best advice and assistance at no cost to the veteran.

For more about the DMVA visit www.dmva.pa.gov, www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.