By Ralph

For many veterans, leaving military service doesn't

mean leaving paperwork behind.

There's the DD214.

VA claims.

Disability compensation.

Pensions.

Medical records.

Dependent benefits.

Survivor benefits.

And an alphabet soup of forms and programs that can make figuring out what you've earned almost as frustrating as applying for it.

The good news for veterans in Brandon is that you don't have to navigate that system alone—and you don't have to drive across the county to get help.

Hillsborough County operates a Veteran Community Services office at the Brandon Regional Service Center, 311 Pauls Drive, Suite 100.

Even better:

The assistance is free.

More Than 93,000 Veterans

Hillsborough County says nearly 93,400 veterans call the county home.

To help that population navigate available resources, the county employs qualified Veterans Service

Officers who work directly with former service members and their families.

The Brandon office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The phone number is (813) 635-8316.

And this isn't a commercial claims company.

Hillsborough County states plainly that there is never a fee to receive its Veteran Community Services assistance or meet with one of its qualified Veterans Service Officers.

What Can They Help With?

A Veterans Service Officer can help determine which federal, state and local benefits may apply to your situation and assist with navigating the process.

One major area is VA disability compensation.

Veterans who were separated or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and have an illness, injury or disability connected to—or aggravated by—active military service may potentially qualify for disability compensation.

Veterans Services can also help investigate Veterans Pension, a separate needs-based program with different eligibility requirements.

The distinction matters.

Disability compensation and Veterans Pension aren't simply two names for the same benefit. Hillsborough County specifically warns that they're different programs, and although someone could potentially meet eligibility requirements for both, the federal VA will grant only the greater benefit.

That's precisely the kind of issue where having someone familiar with the system sitting across the desk can help.

Before You File Something Yourself

Here's one piece of advice from the county that caught our attention:

Talk to a Veterans Service Officer before mailing in your claim forms.

Hillsborough County recommends contacting or visiting one of its service centers first so an officer can discuss eligibility, available benefits and the documentation needed to support the claim.

Depending upon the type of claim, documents may include:

• Your DD214 or other separation documents
• Relevant medical records
• Information about military severance or separation pay
• Marital history when claiming a dependent spouse
• Additional documentation for Aid and Attendance or other applicable benefits

Once the necessary information is complete, a Veterans Service Officer can submit the application and supporting documentation. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs—not Hillsborough County—then reviews the claim and makes the benefit determination.

Can't Find Your Military Records?

That's another reason to call.

Hillsborough County Veteran Community Services can assist veterans with searching for or obtaining military service records.

Anyone who separated decades ago knows how easily an important piece of paperwork can disappear after several moves.

If your DD214 isn't sitting neatly in a filing cabinet somewhere, that doesn't mean you've reached a dead end.

Ask for help finding it.

This Isn't Only for Veterans

This may be the most important part of today's Community Guide.

Veteran Community Services isn't exclusively for the veteran.

Hillsborough County provides free assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors in accessing benefits.

For example, the county's benefits information specifically notes that qualifying surviving spouses may potentially be eligible for certain pension-related benefits, including increased benefits connected with Aid and Attendance or Housebound status, depending on eligibility.

So if your veteran spouse has died, don't automatically assume the door to veterans benefits closed with them.

There may be benefits available to you.

Ask.

Veterans Who Can't Easily Get to an Office

Not every veteran can simply get into a car and drive to Pauls Drive.

Some are elderly.

Some have disabilities.

Others live in assisted-living facilities or nursing homes.

Veteran Community Services provides information, outreach and support to veterans in assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, private residences and private businesses.

The department can also serve as a connection point between military families and outside agencies when the help someone needs isn't provided directly by the county.

Sometimes knowing who to call first is half the battle.

Don't Assume You Don't Qualify

This may be the biggest takeaway from this guide.

Don't disqualify yourself.

Don't assume you served too long ago.

Don't assume your disability isn't serious enough.

Don't assume your spouse couldn't qualify for anything.

And don't assume that because someone else at the VFW, American Legion or the neighborhood barbecue told you they weren't eligible, you aren't either.

Benefits can depend on military service, discharge status, medical evidence, income, disability, dependents and other individual circumstances.

Let someone who works with these programs look at your circumstances.

The answer might still be no.

But at least it will be an informed answer.

Know Before You Go

Hillsborough County Veteran Community Services — Brandon

Where: 311 Pauls Drive, Suite 100, Brandon, FL 33511
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: (813) 635-8316
Cost: Free

Hillsborough County Veteran Community Services

Veterans interested specifically in disability compensation or pension assistance can also review the county's explanation of those programs before visiting.

Veterans Compensation and Pension Assistance

One Phone Call Is a Good Place to Start

Military service can end in a day.

Understanding everything you've earned because of that service can take considerably longer.

Fortunately, Brandon veterans don't have to start by navigating a federal website alone or paying somebody to tell them what forms to complete.

There's an office right here in town.

There are people whose job is to help.

And the price of sitting down with them is exactly what it should be:

Nothing.

If you served—or you're the spouse, dependent or survivor of someone who did—(813) 635-8316 may be one phone number worth keeping.