Frequently Asked Questions
  • No. Veterans' Services is not part of Veterans Affairs. However, we do assist with VA benefits applications. Veterans' Services is under the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services. Along with assistance with VA related benefits, we work with unique state veterans benefits, such as Chapter 115.
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  • Definitions of Massachusetts Veterans
    M.G.L. ch.4, s.7, cl. 43 (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 43)
    To be a “veteran” under Massachusetts law a person is required to have either:
    • 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions –OR–
    • 90 days of active duty service, one day of which is during “wartime” per the chart which follows, and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions, except for Vietnam I, which requires 180 days of active duty service.
    Guard members
    For Guard Members to qualify they must have either:
    • 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions –OR–
    • Members who were activated under Title 10 or Tile 32 of the U.S. Code of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during “wartime,”. The members’ last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.
    Reservists
    For Reservists to qualify, they must have been called to regular active duty, at which point their eligibility can be determined.
    Minimum service exception (for death or disability)
    It is not necessary that an applicant have completed the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign if s/he served some time in the campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected disability per the Discharge Certificate, or died in the service under honorable conditions.
    Training duty exception
    Active service in the armed forces, as used in this clause shall not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the armed forces of the United States.
    Merchant Marine
    Any Merchant Marine who served for a period of 90 days in armed conflict between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, and who received an honorable discharge from the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard of the United States.
    Eligible dependents
    The following categories of persons may qualify as dependents eligible to receive veterans’ benefits: • Spouse of the veteran; • Widow or widower of the veteran; • Dependent parent of the veteran;
    • Any person who acted as a parent to the veteran for five years immediately preceding the commencement of the veteran’s wartime service;
    • Child of the veteran until his/her 19th birthday;
    • Child of the veteran between 19 years and 24 years of age while the child is attending high school, an institution of higher learning or some other accredited educational institution;
    • Child of the veteran 19 years of age or older who is mentally or physically unable to support him/herself and was affected by the disability prior to his/her 18th birthday;
    • Legally adopted children of the veteran.
    Who is not eligible?
    None of the following shall be deemed to be a veteran:
    • Any person, who at the time of entering into the armed forces of the United States, had as his/her intention to become a subject or citizen of the United States and withdrew his/her intention under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918;
    • Any person who was discharged from the said armed forces on his/her own application or solicitation by reason of his/her being an enemy alien;
    • Any person who has been proved guilty of willful desertion;
    • Any person whose only service in the armed forces of the United States consists of his/her service as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve, or both;
    • Any person whose last discharge or release from the armed forces is dishonorable or other than honorable.
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  • Chapter 115 is a form of public welfare for veterans and their dependents. Eligible applicants can qualify for financial assistance as well as reimbursement of out of pocket medical expenses. This is done confidentially to protect your privacy.
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  • First, you must be a Massachusetts resident. If you are a single veteran, or the widow(er) of a veteran and your total income is $1815.00 or under, with assets under $3200 (without life insurance); or a married veteran and your combined income is $2452.00 or under, with assets under $7000 (without life insurance), you probably qualify.
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  • To apply, see your Veterans' Service Officer in your city/town. EVERY veteran has the right to apply.
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  • Yes. In most cases, a copy can be acquired in the office. Occasionally, a request must be sent to the National Military Archives. In that case, it can take several weeks.
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  • You can drop off your old or tattered US flag to this office. It will be properly retired in accordance with the U.S. Flag code.
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  • After contacting Corporate for both Home Depot and Lowe's, both policies are the same. Optimally, they are looking for a VA photo ID, issued after enrollment in the VA HealthCare System. Or a military retiree photo ID. These cards allow the holder to take advantage of a 10% discount on purchases up to $500.00. This policy is in effect on three weekends a year: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans' Day weekends. If the holder provides proof of a VA disability rating, the discount is provided all year round.

    Research indicates individual store policy varies from region to region, state to state, and store to store. Best advice is to call first, get a manager on the line, and ask what they will accept. Sometimes a DD Form 214 is all you need, depending on where you go, and the degree of leeway a manager will grant, as he interprets the chain corporate policy.

    This advice applies to any large chain, not just building supply stores. Going to Best Buy? Pep Boys? Costco? Sears? Call ahead, you won't know until you ask.
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