"Providing entitlement and advocacy assistance to all honorably discharged military personnel and their dependents in matters relating to veterans law."

This bureau serves veterans and their dependents from as far back as WW II. The Albany County population includes 21,000 male and female veterans.

Veterans, their families and dependents are urged to avail themselves of the services provided to them by the Albany County Veterans Service Bureau.

What We Do

The Albany County Veterans Service Bureau provides information on the various veterans benefits. We assist in filing claims, obtaining important documents and determining possible eligibility for the benefits and services you have a legal right to. We frequently aid veterans and their families with such state and federal entitlements as:

• Disability and education benefits
• Burial allowances, headstones and flags
• Pension and/or compensation benefits
• Aid and attendance benefits
• Upgrading military discharges
• Certificates of eligibility for VA loans to purchase homes, mobile homes, or business needs
• Obtaining copies of lost discharges (DD-214) and medical records 

It is important for all veterans to safeguard their Military Separation Papers (DD-214) and their Discharge. These forms may be filed, free of charge, at the Albany County Clerks Office. Once the forms are filed with the County Clerk a certified copy will be forwarded to the Veterans Bureau. That copy will then also be kept on file at our office.

Veterans should know that their records and files are protected by both New York State law and the Federal Privacy Act. All records are kept under lock and key and no one except the veteran or his designee may gain access to them.

Homeless Veterans

The "Capital District Veteran's Stand-Down " for homeless veterans is an annual event where free services and assistance are provided in such areas as employment, medical screenings and legal assistance. For those in need, free food and clothing are available at this Stand-Down.

World War II

Each year, the Veterans Bureau in conjunction with the USS Slater Association hosts a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on December 7th. This ceremony remembers our service members who lost their lives in the attack on that Sunday morning and the survivors of the attack who have left us since that Day of Infamy. Special guests are the living Capital District survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack. While the ceremony is held each year on December 7, the location and time does change. This site will be updated each year with the location and time of the ceremony.

2009 PEARL HARBOR CEREMONY

Monday, December 7, 8:30am
Joseph E. Zaloga Post No. 1520
4 Everett Road, Albany, NY 12205