Veterans' Services: What We Do

The Deschutes County Veterans’ Services Office advocates for and assists veterans and their family members in applying to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and other local agencies for all benefits that may be available to them.

These benefits may include:

Service-connected disability compensation
Non-service connected pensions
Widows’ pensions
Death and indemnity compensation
Medical benefits
Burial benefits
Education
Home improvement grants for handicapped adaptability
Specially adapted automobile grants
Vocational rehabilitation
Clothing allowances
Emergency grant funding

The department also provides a federal work study program to assist veterans currently utilizing their GI Bill and to those enrolled in higher education or a VA approved vocational rehabilitation program such as the pilot training program or the truck driving school. This program provides qualified students a place to work in a veterans’ benefits environment, and they are paid by the Federal Veterans Administration.

Assistance is provided in obtaining and compiling the necessary documents required by the federal Veterans' Affairs website to complete the claims filing process. Forms requested include military service and military medical records, discharges and DD214's, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, birth certificates, civilian medical records; information about receiving medals, ribbons and commendations, and any other information that may be required by Veterans' Affairs. In the event the claim is denied, this department also provides help with the appeals process.