Guiding veterans to benefits
Collin County Veteran Services
By Sonia Duggan
Navigating and filing paperwork for benefits available to veterans, their spouses and children can be a complex experience that can potentially overwhelm many individuals.
In Plano, the small staff at Collin County Veteran Services (CCVS) work to make the process a bit easier and fulfill the department’s mission, “to serve the veteran by providing exceptional assistance, guidance and representation in the application process of VA and state benefits for which they are eligible, advocating for the veteran and their dependents.”
Gary Jackson, Veteran Service Officer at CCVS, said in 2023, after reviewing interviews and call activity, they assisted approximately 12,925 people with various questions, claims or general assistance.
“The majority of veterans coming into our office are seeking assistance with filing for service-connected disability claims and don’t know where to start or have tried the process on their own with poor results,” Jackson said.
The CCVS office is a department of, and funded by, the Collin County government, not the Veterans Administration.
As veteran’s advocates, Jackson, along with Veteran Service Officer John Thompson and an assistant veteran service officer, help residents navigate veteran benefits, survivor benefits, burial and funeral benefits and education benefits.
“If coming into our office for assistance with a claim, appeal or survivor benefits you will more likely meet with one of the service officers,” Jackson said. “If [you are] needing a quick questioned answered, wanting to request records or file an Intent to File, those or similar requests may be handled by our Assistant Service Officer.”
When it comes to services, Jackson said they “definitely help bridge the gap between federal or state benefits and the veteran.”
Veteran benefits include disability compensation, pensions, appeal process, specially adapted housing, Veterans Land Board home and land improvement loans, Texas Veterans Portal, Texas State
Veterans Home, vocational rehabilitation and employment, debt waivers, obtaining military awards or decorations, obtaining lost military records and discharge upgrades.
For those looking to obtain survivor’s benefits, Jackson said the most common survivor benefits, among others, include Dependency Indemnity Compensation, pension benefits and burial benefits.
“The paperwork required can be confusing or overwhelming and that’s why our office exists,” Jackson said, “to help that veteran, spouse or child navigate the process from beginning to end.”
An average decision time from beginning to end can range from about six to nine months, said Jackson, which “depends on various factors like the number of issues being filed or the available evidence a veteran or dependent has submitted in support.”
Burial and funeral benefits provided include burial flag, national cemetery and headstones, markers and medallions, burial claims, Texas State Veterans Cemetery Program, Arlington National Cemetery and Presidential Memorial Certificate according to the website.
For veterans who want to take advantage of education benefits offered, the CCVS office can assist with the Forever GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Post – 9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program and a scholarship for children whose parents were killed in action after Sept. 10, 2001.
In North Texas, there are more than 25 nonprofit veteran service organizations that work to connect struggling veterans to food, housing and other support services. Jackson said he was unsure of exactly how many referrals the nonprofits send over or receive from various organizations in the area, “but we do work with several in assisting veterans and dependents with various needs they may have.”
“There are various organizations in the area and each can provide a specific purpose from providing rental or financial assistance, assisting with meals or even providing a ride for a veteran to their doctor,” he said. “Because of this, we view them all as valuable partners in assisting the veteran.”
Jackson said he often hears veterans are unaware of the services offered by Collin County, but he’s hopeful that by spreading the word about the services they offer, it will “help guide others to us or other County Veteran Service Offices for assistance.”
“Don’t wait on inquiring about what benefits you might be eligible for,” Jackson said. “Reach out and make contact with your local Veterans Service Office (most large counties in Texas have one) to find out what benefits you have.”
Collin County Veteran Services
Sub-Courthouse – Plano (900 Bldg), 900 E. Park Blvd., Suite 150, Plano, TX 75074
Call: 972-881-3060
Email: [email protected]
Collin County Veterans Court
Diversion program for qualified criminal defendants whose crimes were materially connected to combat injuries suffered while serving.
(Same location as CCVS)
Call: 469-974-7731 or
Email: [email protected]
Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988 & Press 1
Texas Veterans Commission
Agency created to advocate and provide superior service that will significantly improve the quality of life for all Texas veterans.
Website: tvc.texas.gov
Military Veteran Peer Network
Offered through the Veterans Mental Health Department, the MVPN connects TVC-certified Peer Service Coordinators and peer volunteers creating a statewide network of military trauma-affected veteran peer support.
In Collin County, connect with Dexter Dumas.
Call: 469-659-3196 or
Email: [email protected]