Veterans Services

Ways for veterans to file disability claims

Veterans who register online can track the progress of their claims and ask questions.
https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal

VA Benefits Information and Claims Assistance. There are eight call centers across the country.
800-827-1000

The following organizations help veterans submit disability claims. Their offices are in the federal building, downtown Pittsburgh, which also houses the Veterans Benefits Administration.

412-395-6233     American Legion
412-395-6265     American Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam
412-395-6241     Disabled American Veterans
412-395-6252     Military Order of the Purple Heart
412-395-6254     Paralyzed Veterans of America
412-395-6226     Pennsylvania Adjutant General
412-395-6257     Veterans of Foreign Wars
412-395-6262     West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance

Source: Veterans Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers many benefits to veterans and their families. Veterans can apply for most services provided by the VA at www.va.gov or any VA office. Below are the phone numbers for specified benefits. 

VA Regional Office
1000 Liberty Ave., Rm. 1606
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-395-6241

Disability Benefits: Veterans can receive disability compensation if they were injured during service, or if a pre-existing injury worsened during their service.

1-800-827-1000

Education and Training: Education and training financial benefits are available to veterans who qualify based on their time of service.

1-888-442-4551

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: The VA evaluates veterans skills and abilities and helps them find proper training, counseling or other services to help them get back to work.

1-800-827-1000

Home Loan Guaranty: Veterans can get help finding a loan through the VA.

1-800-827-1000

Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits: A veteran’s husband, wife, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers all may qualify for benefits if the family member died during or after their service. 

1-800-827-1000

Medical Treatment: The VA provides medical benefits such as hospital services, readjustment counseling, and alcohol and drug dependency treatment.

1-877-222-8387

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System                            

University Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15240
412-688-6000
www.pittsburgh.va.gov

Life Insurance: Traumatic Injury Protection Under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance offers insurance of between $25,000 and $100,000 for the veterans who qualify.

1-800-419-1473

Burial Benefits: The families of deceased veterans can receive a headstone, a burial flag and reimbursement for burial costs, among other things.

1-800-827-1000

Allegheny County Department of Veteran Services

Allegheny County Department of Veteran Services helps Allegheny County veterans receive the benefits granted to them by the federal, state and local governments.

4141 Fifth Avenue, Oakland
412-621-4357
www.county.allegheny.pa.us/veterans

American Legion

American Legion is a nonprofit veterans service organization that sponsors community programs, advocates for national security and provides support for veterans.

Department Service Officers for Pennsylvania

Brian M. Morris
American Legion DSO
135 E 38TH ST
Erie, PA 16504
Phone: 814-864-4240
Fax: 814-864-3405
brian.morris@va.gov

Amber Moore
American Legion DSO
135 E 38TH ST
ERIE, PA 16504
Phone: 814-864-4240
Fax: 814-864-3405
amber.moore@va.gov

Alfreda Zaborowski
American Legion Dept SVC OFCR
PO BOX 42938
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Phone: 215-381-3032
Fax: 215-381-3500
alfreda.zaborowski@va.gov

Traci L. Thrasher
American Legion Dept SVC OFCR
1000 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-395-6231
Fax: 412-395-6234
traci.thrasher@va.gov

Bruce D. Foster
American Legion Dept SVC OFCR
PO BOX 2324
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone: 717-730-9100
Fax: 717-975-2836
bruce@pa-legion.com

Stephen N. Dennison
American Legion Dept SVC OFCR
1000 LIBERTY AVE STE 432D
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-395-6231
Fax: 412-395-6234
stephen.dennison@va.gov

Frederick C. Smith
American Legion Dept SVC OFCR
1123 E END BLVD STE 5
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
Phone: 570-821-2525
Fax: 570-821-2529
fsalwb@ptd.net

American Red Cross

American Red Cross provides a link of communication between military members and their families, as well as financial assistance and counseling centers during times of crisis. 

Southwestern PA Chapter
www.swpa.redcross.org
225 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh
412-263-3100

American Veterans

American Veterans provides its dues-paying members with discounts for hotels, travel and personal health services.

Harry Neal
Mem­ber­ship Direc­tor
301–683-4020
hneal@amvets.org

Car­olyn Taylor-Harrison
Assis­tant To Direc­tor
301–683-4021
ctaylor-harrison@amvets.org

Linda Hud­son
Mem­ber­ship Dues
301–683-4023
lhudson@amvets.org

CareerLink Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Veterans Services

CareerLink Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Veterans Services provides veterans with job counseling, job fair information, apprenticeship information and other services that help veterans transition into the civilian work force.

Downtown Pittsburgh
Regional Enterprise Tower
425 6th Ave., 22nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-552-7100

Robinson Township
Route 60 & Park Manor Drive
Robinson Plaza Two, Suite 410
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-809-3500

Forest Hills
2040 Ardmore Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
412-436-2225

Lawrenceville
118 52nd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-632-1711

Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans is a national collaboration of veterans organizations that provide various services.

www.coalitionforveterans.org/ciav/home

Department of Defense Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury

Department of Defense Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury provides information and resources for veterans and their family members with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injuries.

866-966-1020
www.dcoe.health.mil/24-7help.aspx

Disabled American Veterans

Disabled American Veterans offers veterans membership for a fee, and the organization offers them services in return, such as “attorneys-in-fact” for filling out VA paperwork and counseling.

National Headquarters
3725 Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring, KY 41076
877-I AM A Vet (877-426-2838)
859-441-7300

Disabled American Veterans National Service Office Pittsburgh
1000 Liberty Ave.
Room 1606
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-999-4921

Helmets to Hardhats

Helmets to Hardhats is an organization focused on expediting the transition from the military to a career in construction.

866-741-6210
www.helmetstohardhats.org

Hire Heroes USA

Hire Heroes USA is an organization focused on creating job opportunities for United States military veterans.

1-866-915-HERO
www.hireheroesusa.org

Homeless Veterans

Homeless Veterans works with the community to get veterans off the streets and into homes.

Pittsburgh
Domiciliary/122B
VA Medical Center 7180 Highland Drive Pittsburgh PA 15206
Phone: 412-365-5273
www.va.gov/homeless             

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that focuses on advocacy, awareness and assistance.

New York Headquarters
292 Madison Ave, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-982-9699
Fax: 212-982-8645
www.iava.org

Washington, DC Office
777 North Capitol, NE Suite 403
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-544-7692
Fax: 202-544-7694
www.iava.org

Military Mental Health Screening Program

Military Mental Health Screening Program provides anonymous self-assessments for post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and alcohol problems.

www.militarymentalhealth.org/welcome.aspx

Military OneSource

Military OneSource is a 24-hour service provided by the Department of Defense for military personnel and their families. Military OneSource provides help for a wide range of issues, such as family counseling, financial assistance, employment and other services related to military needs.

1-800-342-9647
www.militaryonesource.mil/MOS/f?p=MOS:HOME:0:

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Military Order of the Purple Heart brings together recipients of the Purple Heart and hosts local activities and events, distributes scholarships to members and provides assistance to all veterans.

National Military Family Association

National Military Family Association offers military spouse scholarships, “Operation Purple Program” which is designed for the children of military service men and women and a family award program.

703-931-6632
www.militaryfamily.org
General Inquiries: Info@MilitaryFamily.org
Membership Inquiries: Membership@MilitaryFamily.org
Donation Inquiries: Donations@MilitaryFamily.org
Website Inquiries: Webmaster@MilitaryFamily.org
Operation Purple Inquiries: OPC@MilitaryFamily.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline helps anyone who is hopeless, depressed or experiencing suicidal thoughts overcome personal, family or other problems.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Veterans Foundation

National Veterans Foundation is an organization dedicated to providing veterans with counseling and support, as well as information on the many benefits a veteran can receive through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Counseling phone number: 1-888-777-4443
www.nvf.org

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Paralyzed Veterans of America advocates for better medical benefits for veterans, increased research for spinal cord injuries and the civil rights of its members.

Healthcare Helpline: 1-800-232-1782
Donor Hotline: 1-800-555-9140
Benefits Helpline: 1-866-734-0857
www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6305401/k.BCBB/Home.htm

Pittsburgh Military Family Support Group

Pittsburgh Military Family Support Group host events and provides support for past and present military members and their families.

www.911thfamilysupport.com
412 474-8544
terrance.stuart@pittsburgh.af.mil

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helps veterans and the general public find information and resources regarding substance abuse and mental health services.

1-800-662-4357
www.samhsa.gov

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a peer support network that focuses on military survivors.

www.taps.org
1-800-959-8277

TRICARE

TRICARE is the health-care program serving many active duty service men and women and their families.

www.tricare.mil/mybenefit

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is conducting a research study on veterans that examines brain activity during sleep and wakefulness.

goodra@upmc.edu           
412-246-6404
www.veteranssleep.pitt.edu

Vet Centers

Vet Centers provide veterans and their family members with readjustment counseling. This counseling includes family counseling for military related issues, substance abuse issues and other service related counseling.

2500 Baldwick Road, Pittsburgh
412-920-1765
www.va.gov/rcs

Oak Park Mall
2001 Lincoln Way, McKeesport
412-678-7982
www.va.gov/rcs

Veterans Breakfast Club

Veterans Breakfast Club brings veterans of all ages together in the South Hills, North Hills, Penn Hills and Moon township to share their stories and have breakfast.

412-623-9029 for reservations
www.veteransbreakfastclub.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Veterans of Foreign Wars fosters camaraderie among veterans and advocates for veterans.

www.vfw.org

Linda Eshenbaugh
VFW Department Service Officer
1000 Liberty Avenue, Room 1601, Pittsburgh, Pa, 15222
412 395-6259/6260
412 395-6261
Linda.Eshenbaugh@va.gov

Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project focuses its programs and services on returning veterans who received a service-related disability after Sept. 11, 2001.

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

1120 G Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202.558.4301
Fax: 202.898.0301
  

--compiled by Michael Ringling, PublicSource intern