The Office of Advocacy and Assistance (OA&A) is here to help Veterans and their families. We assist them in getting federal, state, and local benefits. Our accredited Veteran Service Officers help with the following:

• Helping Veterans file claims for their rights, benefits, and privileges
• Collecting and preparing data for Veterans’ benefits and services
• Surveying nursing homes to find out if resident Veterans or their spouses can get benefits
• Working with service organizations to share information
• Helping with advice on education, health, housing, and jobs
• Representing Veterans on U.S. VA claims and compensation
• Frontline support of and assistance with women Veterans issues

John S. Carragher is the Manager of the Office of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance at the Connecticut Veterans Affairs (CT DVA). He manages Connecticut's Veterans Service Officers at the five district offices across the state. Mr. Carragher is also the Director of Connecticut Veterans Cemeteries. He advises elected and appointed officials and veterans service organizations on military and Veteran issues.

The Municipal Veterans Representative Program is directed by Connecticut General Statutes section 27-135. The purpose of the program is to provide an initial point of contact in each municipality for Veterans seeking assistance. Municipal Veterans Representatives (“VetReps”) are appointed by the chief executive officer of each municipality. In some cases, municipalities choose to form a committee to meet this requirement. Additionally, several municipalities have banded together to work Veterans issues at the regional level. No one knows better the resources available to Veterans than the local VetRep.

Our Veteran Service Officers help CT Veterans apply for several programs run by Connecticut Veterans Affairs. These programs include:

• Connecticut Wartime Service Medal
• Veteran Indicator on Driver’s License or Identification Card
• Veteran License Plates
• Veteran Status Certification
• Veteran-owned Micro-Business Certification

The Office of Advocacy and Assistance also offers help for Connecticut Veterans in applying for federal VA services. Below, you can find information and forms for applying for:

• Disability Benefits
• Veterans Pension
• VA Survivors Pension
• Veteran Readiness and Employment
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
• VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance
• VA Healthcare Enrollment
• Request a Discharge Upgrade

Your feedback is important to us! If you received services or assistance from our main office or from one of our district offices, please take a moment to complete or survey. Please tell us how we did and where we can improve. We also welcome your positive feedback so we can appropriately recognize our hard-working employees!