Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs is a department of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Our office assists honorably discharged veterans and eligible dependents in applying for County, State and Federal Veterans Benefits. We help fill out a large array of VA forms, referrals, free of charge to veterans and their dependents.
Veterans need to be a Winneshiek County resident and may be able to assist veterans/dependents who are eligible providing temporary emergency county assistance with basic needs (rent, food, utilities, emergent medical services, burial) subject to eligibility guidelines. Contact our office for more information.
We do not work for the Veterans Administration or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and have no direct influence on the granting of VA Benefits. However, we work with the Federal VA and Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to inform veterans of various benefits which they are eligible. We are here to support our veterans & their families.
If you have questions regarding any of the benefits, please contact our office:
- VA Health Care Benefit enrollment
- Compensation for service-connected disability.
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals & materials while in the service
- Pension for non-service-connected disability.
- Surviving spouse/dependent children benefits
- Aid & Attendance for nursing home and Housebound
- VA Contracted Nursing Homes
- Appeals on unfavorable VA rulings.
- Obtaining DD214 & military records
- Flag Holder
- Application for Iowa Veterans Cemetery
- Application for Iowa Veterans Home
- Veteran Designation on Driver’s License or ID (a copy of DD214 or applicable discharge document is required for eligibility)
- Van service to transport veterans to Iowa City VA Medical Center (Tuesday – Friday)
The VA Hospital serving this area is Iowa City VA Medical Center – Iowa City, Iowa
VA Nurse Triage Phone Number 24 Hour: 844-853-3865
Employment Resources:
Home Base Iowa: www.homebaseiowa.gov/
IowaWorks Decorah Office: www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/decorah
IowaWorks Veteran Employment Services: https://workforce.iowa.gov/jobs/worker-programs/veterans
IowaWorks for Veterans Portal: https://iowaworksforveterans.gov/
New PACT Act law expands VA Health Care and Benefits for Veterans exposed to toxins and burn pits (Insert for a list of presumptives for agent orange and burn pit exposures)
New VA Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) for VA Health Care Benefits. Vets never deployed but exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty, may be eligible to enroll.
Click on link to view map of toxins/hazards/locations https://www.va.gov/files/2023-06/PACT%20Act%20Exposure%20Map%20V6.21.2023%201030hrs.pdf
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
- For more information regarding PACT Act benefit or to file claims, contact our office for assistance.
To record Military Documents, contact the Winneshiek County Recorder’s Office, 563-382-3486
United States Department of Veterans Affairs website www.va.gov
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs website: va.iowa.gov
National Center for PTSD: www.ptsd.va.gov
Returning Veterans: OEF/OIF
VA Education & Training: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
24 Hour Homeless Veterans Hotline: 877-424-3838
Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: Dial new number 988 then Press 1 or call 800-273-TALK (8255) and Press 1 or text message 838255:
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp
Women Issues Hotline: 855-VA-WOMEN (82-96636) Mon. – Fri. 7am-8pm & Sat. 7am-5:30pm
Hotline Service for Family & Friends of Veterans. “Coaching into Care” 888-823-7458
VA Dental Insurance Program: www.va.gov/healthbenefits/VADIP/
To give enrolled Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries the opportunity to purchase dental insurance
Iowa Food Assistance/SNAP Program with DHS: For Assistance with an application, eligibility or questions call the Hotline 855-944-FOOD (3663), Mon. – Fri. 8am-5pm
Our office has a Contracted Licensed Psychologist who assists Veterans that are dealing with Combat Trauma, MST, other concerns regarding the military, work & home life. Providing service-connected claim and/or counseling services. This is at no cost to the Veteran, who are eligible. For more information or for setting up an appointment, please contact our office.
To learn more about PTSD development, click on the link below:
Special Presentation: God & Horror – Where Combat & Religion Convene by Greg Clark