Veterans Services

Union County provides veterans and their families with the following assistance:

• Benefit information and eligibility qualifications
• Filing, reopening or appealing claims
• Transportation to VA medical centers in North Carolina
• Property tax exemptions for 100% permanent and total disabled veterans
• Guidance regarding how to access state and federal resources such as burial resources and applying for veterans identification cards

Federal VA benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Assistance with claims for service-connected diseases or disabilities due to military service
• Applying for VA pension
• Health care
• Vocational rehabilitation
• VA education benefits
• VA life insurance
• VA home loan certificates
• Burial information and benefits

State benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Scholarships for the children of disabled or deceased North Carolina veterans
• Special hunting and fishing license based on disability percentage
• Special license plates
• Property tax exemption
• State veterans cemeteries
• State veterans nursing homes
• County and State representation for claims at the VA Regional Office and Board of Veteran Appeals

How do I get in touch with a Veterans Affairs (VA) representative, VA hospital or clinic?

• The VA general assistance line is 1-800-827-1000.
• The Salisbury VA Hospital can be reached at 1-800-469-8262.
• The Charlotte VA Health Care Center can be reached at 704-329-1300.
• The Charlotte VA Outpatient Clinic can be reached at 704-597-3500.
• The Union County Veterans Services Office is willing to assist with any of these contacts. Veterans Services Officers are trained and accredited in navigating these applications.
• Another option is to register on the VA website so that you can have access to your information more quickly: www.ebenefits.va.gov. Once registered on the website you can also use the secure, live instant messaging communication tool.

How can I obtain a copy of my DD 214?
There are two ways: You must have access to a printer and a fax machine to send in signature verification. The process to obtain a DD 214 through this website may take up to five (5) weeks.

• You can order it through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
• You may request your DD 214 by using the SF 180 form and mailing it to the appropriate service address: www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/115958.

Once you obtain your DD 214, our office will hold on to a copy of it for you upon request so that you may access it easily in the future.

Am I able to receive healthcare at a VA clinic or hospital? How can I enroll to receive care?
You can apply for enrollment at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/. The process will take about five weeks and after accepted, you can schedule an appointment usually four to six weeks out.

To ensure that those with less healthcare options receive the care that they need, income does play a part in determining who has access to clinic and hospital services. To learn more about financial qualifications, visit: www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/financial_assessment.asp.

How do I get a Veterans Identification Card?
You can obtain a Veterans Identification Card at the VA Hospital in Charlotte or Salisbury; however, there are specific criteria that need to be met. To learn more about the criteria needed to obtain an ID card, visit: www.va.gov/healthbenefits/assets/documents/publications/IB-10-443_Veterans_Identification_Card.pdf.

You may also opt to get a Veteran identifier on your driver’s license.