Kings County Veterans Service Office

Kings County Government Center
1400 W. Lacey Blvd
Law Bldg. # 4
Hanford, CA  93230

(559) 582-3211- Ext.2669

Office Hours:

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday through Friday

Visit our site at http://www.countyofkings.com

About the Veterans Service Office

The Kings County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) aggressively seeks out veterans and their families to provide assistance and service.  To meet this objective the CVSO seeks to increase awareness of eligibility, entitlements, benefits programs and services provided to veterans by Federal, State and Local government agencies.  Information is provided through outreach, counseling and referral services.

We Offer the following services

• Comprehensive benefit counseling
• Claim development, preparation and submission
• Case management
• Initiate appeals when appropriate
• Networking with federal, state and local agencies
• Public speaking and media relations

Who is Eligible for VA BENEFITS?

• A Veteran with an other than Dishonorable discharge
• A Veteran’s dependent
• A surviving spouse or child of a deceased veteran
• A parent of a deceased veteran

Pertinent Websites

Department of Veterans Affairs

California Department of Veterans Affairs

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO)

Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits

Disability Benefits - VA administers two disability programs.  Both pay monthly benefits to disabled veterans. 

Disability Compensation - VA may pay disability compensation if the veteran is at least 10% disabled as a result of military service.

Disability Pension - VA may pay disability pension if a wartime veteran has limited income and or is permanently and totally disabled.

Time Limits - No deadline for Compensation or Pension Applications.

Education and Training - VA pays benefits to eligible veterans and dependents while they are in an approved training program. 

Survivors & Dependents' Educational Assistance Programs - Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for education benefits.

Time Limits - Veteran has 10 years from the date of released from active duty to use the educational benefits. The Spouse generally has 10 years from the date VA first determines eligibility.  Children generally eligible from age 18 to 26.

Vocational Rehabilitation - VA can help certain service-disabled veterans to get and keep suitable employment, if within 12 years of eligibility determination.

Health Care:

• Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy, and prosthetic services.
• Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based residential care.
• Sexual trauma counseling.
• Specialized health care for women veterans.
• Health and rehabilitation program for homeless veterans.
• Readjustment counseling.
• Alcohol and drug dependency treatment.
• Medical treatment for exposure to Agent Orange, radiation, or environmental hazards.

Burial Benefits

Headstone or Marker - VA may furnish a monument to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible Veteran.

Burial Flag - VA may provide an American Flag to drape the casket and present to the family.

Reimbursement of Burial Expenses- VA may pay a burial allowance for veterans who die of service-related causes or are in receipt of VA Pension or Compensation, or the veteran death occurred in a VA facility or nursing home with which VA contracted.

Burial in a VA National Cemetery: - Veterans and dependents are eligible for burial in National Cemeteries.  The veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and must have completed the required period of service (normally 20 years).

Time Limits - There is no time limit  for claiming reimbursement of burial expenses for a service-related death.  In other cases, claims must be filed within 2 years of the veteran’s death.

Additional Benefits

• Housebound, Aid and Attendance Benefits.
• Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
• Death Pension for surviving spouse and children.
• Special adapted housing and auto grants.
• VA Life Insurance
• Many other ancillary benefits and programs.

California Dept. of Veterans Affairs Benefits

College Fee-Waiver Programs - For children and dependents of service connected disabled or service-related ldeceased veterans.  The waiver of tuition fees applies only to California Universities, State and Community Colleges.  Benefits are awarded on an "academic year" basis.  Students are required to reapply each year for continued benefits.

Cal-Vet Farm and Home Loans - The CAL-VET loan program provides low-cost, low interest financing to eligible, qualified veterans to purchase homes, farms or mobile homes in California for use as their primary residence.

Veterans License Plates - Purchase plates where proceeds are used to expand veteran’s services throughout California.

State Veterans Homes - A veteran must be a California resident at the time of application; must be honorably discharged and served during a time of war; must be at least 62 or disabled; must be self reliant at time of entry and live with minimal support at residential care. Spouses are eligible.  Fees are assessed based upon income.

Fishing and Hunting Licenses - Reduced annual fees for fishing and hunting licenses if eligible.

State Parks and Recreation Pass - A lifetime State of California Parks passes for $3.50 if eligible.

Additional Benefits - Employment and unemployment insurance assistance Business license, tax and fee waiver Property tax exemptions, Waiver of motor vehicle registration fees, and Many other ancillary benefits and programs. The County Recorder Office records, free of charge, original military separation and discharge documents.  Personal identification and documentation can make the difference in  receiving benefits or not. 

Please fill in the blanks below and keep this basic information in a safe place.  Be sure your next of kin are aware of its existence and location.

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

SSN: ________________________

Military Service #: ____________________

Date of Birth: ________________________

Place of Birth: ___________________________________

Branch of Service: ___________________

Date Entered Active Duty: __________________________

Date Released Active Duty: ________________________

VA File # (C – File): ______________________________

VA Life Insurance Policy #: ________________________

*********** Location of Important Documents **************

Marriage Certificate: ____________________________

Divorce Decrees: ______________________________

Children’s Birth Certificates: _____________________

Military Discharge: ____________________________