Veterans, military families, caregivers and surviving spouses in Asheville and Western North Carolina can get help understanding and applying for federal, state and local veterans benefits.

Benefits can include disability compensation, pensions, health care, education, home loans, survivor benefits, burial benefits, property tax relief, license plates and other support. A county Veterans Service Office or state Veterans Service Center can help veterans and families understand what may apply to their situation.

This guide is a starting point for veterans and families looking for benefits information, claims help or a local Veterans Service Officer in Western North Carolina.

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Start with a Veterans Service Officer

A Veterans Service Officer, often called a VSO, can help veterans, dependents and surviving spouses understand benefits, prepare claims, gather records and navigate VA or state benefit systems.

North Carolina’s State Veterans Service Centers and County Veterans Service Offices offer personal assistance to veterans, military members and their families. The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs says its qualified benefits specialists are trained to help veterans and family members obtain benefits and services.

Start here: N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Benefits & Claims

Use the state page to find a State Veterans Service Center or County Veterans Service Office near you.

Mountain Region State Veterans Service Centers

The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs lists State Veterans Service Centers serving the mountain region, including Canton, Hickory and Morganton.

Canton Veterans Service Center

Canton Veterans Service Center
472 Main St.
Canton, NC 28716

Phone: 919-664-1095

Hickory Veterans Service Center

Hickory Veterans Service Center
1985 Tate Blvd. SE, Suite 113
Hickory, NC 28602

Phone: 919-664-1040

Morganton Veterans Service Center

Morganton Veterans Service Center
305 E. Union St., Suite A135
Morganton, NC 28655

Phone: 919-664-1055

County Veterans Service Offices in Asheville and Western North Carolina

County Veterans Service Offices can help veterans and families understand and apply for benefits. Call ahead before visiting, since hours, appointment requirements and locations can change.

Buncombe County Veterans Services

Buncombe County Veterans Services helps veterans, service members and family members, including dependents and surviving spouses or children.

Buncombe County lists services and benefits including burial benefits, dependent and survivor benefits, disability benefits, education and training, health care, home loans, life insurance, and vocational rehabilitation and training.

Phone: 828-250-5726

Henderson County Veterans Services

Henderson County Veterans Services assists veterans and dependents in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs.

The office advises veterans and dependents about benefits under federal and state laws and helps them obtain federal and state veterans benefits.

Haywood County Veterans Services

Haywood County Veterans Services assists veterans and families with benefits support in Haywood County.

Address:
63 Elmwood Way, Suite B
Waynesville, NC 28786

Phone: 828-452-6634

Madison County Veterans Services Office

Madison County Veterans Services Office provides local veterans service support by appointment.

Phone: 828-649-0767

Transylvania County Veterans Services

Transylvania County Veterans Services assists veterans in applying for benefits they are entitled to receive.

Address:
106 E. Morgan St., Room 237
Brevard, NC 28712

Phone: 828-884-3276
Email: veterans.service@transylvaniacounty.org

Find a Veterans Service Office anywhere in North Carolina

Veterans and families outside the Asheville area can use the state directory to find a County Veterans Service Office or State Veterans Service Center.

Find local offices: N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs accredited offices

This is useful for veterans in surrounding Western North Carolina counties, including Avery, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Yancey and other mountain communities.

VA disability compensation

VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free payment for eligible veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military or whose service made an existing condition worse.

Veterans may file a disability claim for physical conditions, mental health conditions or other service-connected conditions.

Start here: VA disability compensation

Veterans who need help filing a claim should contact a Veterans Service Officer before submitting paperwork.

VA pension benefits

VA pension benefits provide monthly payments to eligible wartime veterans who meet certain age, disability, income and net worth requirements.

This benefit is different from VA disability compensation. A Veterans Service Officer can help veterans understand which benefit may apply.

Start here: VA pension benefits

Survivor benefits

Surviving spouses, dependent children and parents may qualify for VA survivor benefits, depending on the veteran’s service, cause of death and other eligibility factors.

VA survivor benefits may include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, known as DIC, Survivors Pension, burial benefits, education support or other assistance.

Start here: VA survivor benefits

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit for some surviving spouses, children or parents of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who died from a service-related injury or illness.

Survivors Pension

VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans who meet income and net worth limits.

Surviving spouses and family members should contact a Veterans Service Officer for help understanding what may apply.

Burial and memorial benefits

Veterans and families may be eligible for burial and memorial benefits through VA. Benefits may include burial in a VA national cemetery, burial allowances, a headstone or marker, a burial flag or a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

Start here: VA burial and memorial benefits

Families who paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral may also ask about VA burial allowances.

A Veterans Service Officer can help surviving family members understand eligibility, deadlines and required paperwork.

Education benefits and scholarships

Veterans, service members and eligible family members may qualify for VA education benefits, GI Bill benefits or state scholarship programs.

Start here: VA education and training benefits

The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also administers the North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans, which applies to North Carolina schools and may support eligible children of North Carolina veterans.

Students and families should review eligibility carefully and contact the state or a Veterans Service Officer for help.

Home loan benefits

Eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses may qualify for a VA-backed home loan or related housing benefits.

Start here: VA home loan benefits

A VA home loan can help eligible borrowers buy, build, improve or refinance a home. Eligibility, lender requirements and property requirements may apply.

North Carolina disabled veteran property tax relief

North Carolina offers a disabled veteran homestead property tax exclusion for eligible disabled veterans or certain surviving spouses.

The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs says the disabled veteran homestead exemption is the first $45,000 of assessed real property value. Veterans must complete the NCDVA-9 form and take it to a local Veterans Service Office for certification.

Start here: N.C. veterans property tax relief

Property owners should also contact their county tax office to confirm local filing deadlines and requirements.

Military records and discharge paperwork

Veterans may need discharge paperwork, including a DD214, to apply for many benefits.

Start here: Request military records through the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Veterans can also request records through the National Archives: Request military service records

If records are missing, a Veterans Service Officer may be able to help identify next steps.

VA benefits letters and claim status

Veterans can use VA.gov to check claim status, download benefit letters, manage health care, update direct deposit and review VA records.

Start here: VA.gov

Veterans who are unsure how to manage an existing claim, appeal a decision or understand a letter from VA should contact a Veterans Service Officer for help.

What to have ready when asking for benefits help

When possible, have these items ready before contacting a Veterans Service Office:

  • Photo ID
  • DD214 or discharge paperwork
  • Social Security number
  • VA claim number, if available
  • VA decision letters or benefit letters
  • Medical records related to a claim
  • Marriage certificate, birth certificates or death certificate, if applying for dependent or survivor benefits
  • Banking information for direct deposit
  • Property tax information, if asking about property tax relief
  • School information, if asking about education benefits
  • Any letters or forms received from VA

Do not delay asking for help if you do not have every document. A Veterans Service Officer can explain what is needed.

When to contact a Veterans Service Officer

Veterans, spouses, caregivers or surviving family members may want to contact a Veterans Service Officer when:

  • Filing a first VA claim
  • Appealing or reviewing a VA decision
  • Applying for disability compensation
  • Asking about VA pension
  • Applying for survivor benefits
  • Asking about burial benefits
  • Applying for education benefits or scholarships
  • Requesting discharge paperwork
  • Asking about North Carolina property tax relief
  • Updating a claim after a new diagnosis or disability rating change
  • Trying to understand a VA letter or decision

A Veterans Service Officer can help explain options before paperwork is submitted.

Be cautious with paid claims help

Veterans and families should be careful with businesses that charge fees to prepare claims or promise a certain disability rating. Free help is available through county Veterans Service Offices, State Veterans Service Centers and accredited veterans organizations.

Before paying anyone for claims help, veterans should confirm whether the person or organization is accredited to assist with VA claims.

Search for accredited representatives: VA accredited representative search

Explore the Veterans Guide

The 828newsNOW Veterans Guide includes local and regional resources for veterans, military families and caregivers in Asheville and Western North Carolina.