All Things VA

Gulf coast veterans health care system

Serving the Gulf Coast

Since 1932, VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. The VA Gulf Coast Veterans HCS is privileged to serve over 70,000 veterans. Additionally, it provides support to readjustment counseling centers and VA National Cemeteries along the Gulf Coast.

In addition to our main facility Biloxi VA Medical Center in Biloxi, MS, we offer services in 4 community-based outpatient clinics. These clinics are located in —

Mobile, Alabama

Eglin, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

Panama City, Florida

myVA311 — Dial 1-844-MyVA311 (1-844-698-2311)

Website: https://www.biloxi.va.gov/locations/MOPC.asp

vet center

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.

VA Vet Center outreach efforts continue to help Veterans everyday!
All Veterans are encouraged to seek Vet Center services. Any Veterans and active duty Service members, to include members of the National Guard and Reserve components, are eligible if any of the following applies:
Have served on active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility∗ (see footnote)
Experienced a military sexual trauma
Provided direct emergent medical care or mortuary services, while serving on active military duty, to the casualties of war, or
Served as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat zone or area of hostility.
Vietnam Era Veterans who have accessed care at a Vet Center prior to January 1, 2004.
Vet Center services are also provided to family members of Veterans and Service members for military-related issues when they aid in the readjustment of those who have served. This includes bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death.

Helpful information about Vet Centers:

Active duty service members who served in a combat or war zone are eligible for counseling at Vet Centers. The services offered include:

• Individual, group, and family readjustment counseling to assist active duty service members in making a successful transition from combat, to garrison, or civilian life.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment and help with other related problems that affect functioning within the family, work, school or other areas of everyday life.

• Military sexual trauma counseling for active duty service members of both genders.

Service members will be required to provide documentation by their third visit indicating they have served in a combat or war zone to continue counseling. A copy of one of the following documents will meet this requirement: deployment demobilization order, enlisted record brief, officer record brief, or an award citation indicating service member served in a combat zone. These services are also available to family members of active duty combat service members, as well as any combat Veteran.

Vet Center staff respects the privacy of all clients and holds client information in strict confidence. No information will be communicated to any person or agency without written consent except in necessary circumstances to avert a crisis.

For more information on Vet Center services or hours in the Gulf Coast region, please call the Vet Center in your area:

• Biloxi Vet Center – 228-388-9938

• Mobile Vet Center – 251-478-5906

• Pensacola Vet Center -- 850-456-5886

• Okaloosa County Vet Center – 850-651-1000

• Bay County Vet Center – 850-522-6102

Learn more about VA Vet Centers here: www.vetcenter.va.gov. Veterans can speak confidentially with a Vet Center counselor at any time by calling 1-877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387).

WEBSITE: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/?fbclid=IwAR09PKhXWDSFPp_YMHRaIlYhw1LqN7nYCUhYBzOqQuooWm9nGiTA274TOMk

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The website is informative on many topics pertaining to Veterans

Is the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? (Find more info in the FAQ link on the website. )

No, the ADVA is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We are a State of Alabama department that assists former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents in numerous capacities. We provide services that complement those of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes the preparing of claims for and securing compensation, hospitalization, education, vocational training, and other benefits or privileges which veterans may be qualified for under Federal or State Law, or regulation, by reason of their military service. Among our many facilities, we operate state veterans homes, a state veterans cemetery, and numerous Veterans Service Offices (VSO) around the state.

Veterans Service Offices

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) has veterans service offices located in 50 counties throughout the State of Alabama. The primary function of the ADVA service offices is to assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors in the application and processing of claims for benefits and entitlements available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the benefits provided for veterans by law from the State of Alabama earned by honorable service in the armed forces of the United States.

Services include the processing of compensation and pension applications; appeal VA decisions; file for survivors death benefits; apply for aid and attendance and housebound benefits; certification of claim documents; request for military service records; upgrade military discharges; apply for special veteran license plates.

ADVA veterans service officers are accredited to perform claims actions by nationally chartered veterans service organizations to include the American Legion, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Fleet Reserve Association, and Blinded Veterans Association.

WEBSITE: https://va.alabama.gov/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/alsdva/

***For the most recent SMVF Resource Guide, see PDF version at the bottom of this page

Veterans service offices

Where to Find Your VSO

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICES IN ALABAMA

The Alabama Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ADVA) has Veterans Service Offices located in 53 counties throughout the State of Alabama. While we do not have an office in every county, we have taken steps to ensure anyone seeking assistance can find it close to their home.

To locate the nearest Veterans Service Office to you, click on the desired county using the below at this link. https://va.alabama.gov/serviceofficer/

The primary function of the ADVA service offices is to assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors in the application and processing of claims for benefits and entitlements available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the benefits provided for veterans by law from the State of Alabama earned by honorable service in the armed forces of the United States.

ALL Things VA and ADVA

ON THIS PAGE