Connecticut State Department of Veterans Affairs

Commissioner Ron Welch (BG Ret.) and the Middletown Council of Veterans invites Veterans and members of the public to join us on Memorial Day to honor and remember our fallen heroes. The remembrance ceremony will take place on Monday, May 27th, 2024 at 2:00pm at the State of Connecticut Veterans Cemetery located in Middletown, CT. For more information press here

State of CT Guide to Benefits


About the Department


The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs was created by the General Assembly in 1987.  The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor and is responsible for the administration of the Department.  The mission of the Department is “serving those who served” by assessing the needs of veterans as they emerge and developing resources which address these needs.  Within the Department there are four distinct organizational offices:

  • Office of the Commissioner
  • Office of Advocacy and Assistance including Cemetery Services 
  • Residential Facility including Patriot’s Landing 
  • Sgt John L. Levitow Healthcare Facility

The Office of the Commissioner is tasked with administrative authority for the Department, outreach to veterans and community agencies, liaison with legislature, statutory and legislative authorities and veteran service organizations.

The Office of Advocacy and Assistance is responsible for assisting veterans and their families to access benefits and entitlements.

The Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill provides direct care to veterans in need of rehabilitative services, care for chronic disease, substance abuse treatment and hospice care.  A unique feature of the Home is our residential program for low income and homeless veterans.

The Connecticut State Cemetery System consists of three state cemeteries, Col. Raymond Gates Cemetery located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut State Veterans’ Cemetery located in Middletown, and Spring Grove Cemetery located in Darien, which was closed for internment in 1964.

Office of Prime Responsibility

DOVA: Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs appointed by the Governor of Connecticut, confirmed by the General Assembly.

Services and Programs

DOVA:          

1 Health Care Facility

1 Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (Veterans’ Recovery Center)

1 Domiciliary

3 Cemeteries, Darien, Middletown and Rocky Hill

5 District Offices located in each Congressional District and 11 Satellite Offices throughout the state for the Office of Advocacy and Assistance

Area of Responsibility

DOVA:            310,000 Connecticut Veterans

Definition of a Veteran

Connecticut statutes contain several definitions of the term “veteran.”  Some definitions exist especially for particular benefits programs.  If not otherwise specifically defined, however, eligibility is determined according to the general definition that defines a veteran as an individual honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty in the armed forces.

Some benefits require ninety (90) days of active duty during defined periods of war in order to qualify, unless the veteran was separated earlier due to a service-connected disability or the period of war lasted less than 90 days.  Certain veterans must have served in a combat or combat-support role (see below).  The law lists relevant periods of war ranging from the Spanish-American War to the Persian Gulf War.  These periods of war are defined in CGS Sec. 27-103(a).