Veterans Affairs

Dennis R. Hutchings, Director
Email:  dhutchings@juniataco.org
Phone:  717-436-7728
Fax:  717-436-7769
Office location:  The Bousum Building, 26 North Main St., Mifflintown
Office hours:  9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday); 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Thursday)
(Please call for an appointment so that we may better serve you.)
Postal address:  Courthouse Annex, P.O. Box 68, Mifflintown, PA 17059

Flag Collection Box Initiative

The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) have proudly partnered to provide our county with a free flag collection box to place in your community. NACo and CCAP are honored to join forces to ensure that our nation’s banner receives a proper retirement. Helping residents properly dispose of worn U.S. flags is consistent with our commitment to public service and community engagement. When an American flag becomes worn out or torn, the U.S. Flag Code dictates how to respectfully retire it. Too many of our residents are unsure of how to care for our nation’s symbol, and county leaders can play a key role in informing them. Learn more at NACo.org/flag.

Juniata County Veterans Honor Roll Launched

The Juniata County Veterans Council has just released a new online system containing the names of veterans who are believed to have a connection with Juniata County.

Online Honor Roll

Our Mission

The County of Juniata Department of Veterans Affairs is an advocate dedicated to serving veterans and their families or the survivors of veterans. This service includes assisting veterans and their dependents when applying for Federal, State and County benefits and all other rights to which they are entitled in the most expedient manner possible, providing support to county veterans service organizations, promoting public recognition of US Veterans and fostering one-hundred percent Americanism and patriotism.

Our Purpose

The office of Veterans Affairs is a Department of County Government. The Director is a fully accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) as authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and recognized by the Pennsylvania State Adjutant Generals Office. The Director is also an accredited member of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs (PSACDVA), whose purpose it is to monitor all benefit legislation, both Federal and State, with regards to program impact as it may affect Juniata County veterans, their families, or surviving family members.

Our Services

The Juniata County Veterans Affairs Office provides the following services:

  • Provides benefit counseling for veterans and their dependents (Federal, State, County).
  • Assists the veteran in filing for Compensation (Service-Connected) or pension (Non-Service Connected) claims.
  • Assists the veteran or the survivors of veterans in filing for reinstatement of discontinued benefits, or the reopening of an original claim.
  • Assists widows in filing for Widows Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims.
  • Assists in researching and obtaining the necessary documentation and records in support of claims.
  • Assists in obtaining military and service medical records.
  • Assists in obtaining supportive service and discharge documents.
  • Assists veterans by recording their Honorable Discharge documents (i.e., WDAGO Form or DD214) free at the Courthouse (Recorder of Deeds) and provide free certified copies upon request.
  • Assists veterans and widows of veterans in completing their annual Eligibility Verification Report (EVR Form).
  • Assists the veteran or veteran’s surviving spouse by filing for State Benefits (e.g., Emergency Assistance, Educational Gratuity, Real Estate Tax Exemption, blind Veterans Pension, Paralyzed Veterans Pension, etc.)
  • Assist veterans to enroll in the VA Health Care System, thereby obtaining individual health care at VA Medical Centers or Outpatient Clinics.
  • Assists veterans or the widows of veterans in completing applications for non-service connected pension with aid and attendance benefits in support of nursing home care.
  • Provides Federal Burial Benefits counseling for surviving family members of deceased veterans (e.g., burial in a National Cemetery or applying for a headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, or the reimbursement of burial expenses.)
  • Provides County Burial Benefits counseling for surviving family members of deceased veterans (e.g., applying for reimbursement of burial expenses and a headstone or marker, or a flag holder.)
  • Assists with the admission process into a State Veterans Home.
  • Assists with the admission process of veterans children into the Scotland School for Veterans Children.

Administration

  • Processing claims for County reimbursement of burial expenses (e.g., Veterans $100, Widow(er) $100, Headstone or marker $100).
  • Record and maintain Juniata County Veterans Burial records.
  • Purchase and distribute for installation, flag holders for veterans graves.
  • Purchase and distribute Memorial Flags for veterans graves annually, prior to Memorial Day each year.

LINKS

Department of Veterans Affairs
Pennsylvania Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Accredited Online Colleges – a comprehensive resource that provides Veterans with tons of information about using the money awarded to them by the GI Bill to help pursue a university education. It contains a database that allows our service men and women to search for Online Colleges.
Veterans and Mesothelioma