Effective Tuesday, IDVA's Veterans' Service Office in Blue Island is moving to DHS facility in Harvey

CHICAGO – Effective Tuesday, July 31st, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) Veterans’ Service Office in Blue Island will move to a new location in the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) office, which is located at 16845 South Halsted Street in Harvey, Ill.

The new location will continue to be staffed by Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Charles Lawrence. The new telephone and fax numbers are (708) 225-8030 and (708) 225-8032, respectively. Office hours will be maintained daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Harvey Veterans’ Service Office is part of a statewide network that serves about 800,000 veterans by increasing awareness of available state and federal benefits. Offices are staffed by VSOs who provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, assist with paperwork and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits completely free of charge.

Assistance provided by VSOs includes:

• Compensation Benefits and Document Assistance – Combat and service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214 certificates.
• Survivor and Burial Benefits – Graves registration, grave markers.
• Educational Benefits – G.I. Bill, Troops to Teachers, Scholarships.
• Employment Benefits – Employment preference, Jobs for Vets program.
• Real Estate and Permits – Homestead and Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead exemptions, Adapted Housing exemptions, camping and admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses.
• Referral Assistance – Facilitating access to federal VA health care and counseling services.
• Illinois Veterans Homes – Assist in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes throughout Illinois.

For more information, please visit www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.