Most notably are filings for VA Health Care, Service-Connected Compensation and Pension and Aid and Attendance (A&A) Benefits.
Click the below links if you are NOT a Madison County, IL resident and are looking for Administrative Case Work Assistance in your geographical area:
- Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions (IACVAC)
- National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO)
- Find other Veterans Service Organizations
- How to check your VA claim, appeal, or decision review status online
- Contact the VA National Call Center directly at 800-827-1000
Prior to attending a scheduled appointment it is highly encouraged that you set up a VA.gov account provided by the VA at www.va.gov.
All walk-ins for casework will be scheduled for a future appointment as appropriate.
In limited situations, if your work hours do not allow you to make a casework appointment during normal VAC business hours, staff can make arrangements to open the office outside of normal hours or complete a phone and/or video appointment. If you are housebound, staff can also arrange to meet at your home or living facility.
Bus Tokens are available for Madison County, IL Transit to get to and from scheduled VAC casework appointments for those lacking transportation.Administrative Casework:
- VA Health Care Enrollment
- VA Compensation, Pension and Survivors Pension
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance (A&A)
- VA Pre-Need National Cemetery Burial Program
- VA Life Insurance
- VA Education and Training Benefits (Local Colleges and Universities Assistance Offices)
- VA Burial Benefits and Memorial Items
- Assistance in obtaining and recording True Certified Copies of DD214/s
- Assistance in obtaining military records and medical documentation needed to file a VA Claim
- The VAC DOES NOT house or maintain medical records and documents. If you need copies of your medical records and documents, you will need to contact the VA Release of Information Office, access them via VA Blue Button or obtain them from the Private Provider directly.
- Assistance navigating VA.gov and information on how to obtain a VA Benefits Summary Letter to apply for the Illinois Disability Homestead Property Tax Exemption via the Madison County, IL Assessment Office
- Assistance in navigating and information on how to set up an Illinois ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) disability savings and investment account offered and administered through the Illinois State Treasurer.
- Assistance in navigating and information about various Local, State, and Federal benefits and services and referrals as appropriate agencies that administers said benefits and services.
- Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (AFLAN) - For Civil Legal Services call 855-452-3526 to talk about discharge upgrades, benefits appeals, and civil legal problems like Family, Housing, and Consumer issues.
- VA DAV Van Medical Appointment Transportation Program (These are NOT VAC Programs or Services)
- To arrange a ride or to reach the local DAV Van Transportation Program contact 314-289-6443 option 2
- To learn more about other VA transportation options for Veterans, please click here
- To learn more about VA travel pay reimbursement, please click here
- Vet Center one-on-one counseling (This service is provided by the Vet Center)
- Co-hosted Weekly Community Veteran Outreach Group (This group is provided and hosted by the Vet Center)
- Collection of and proper disposal of unserviceable flags
Documentation Typically Needed to Assist in Administrative Casework:
- Military Discharge Papers - DD-214/s from all Periods of Military Service
- Driver's License/State ID/ VA ID
- Social Security Card/s
- Marriage License/s
- Birth Certificate/s
- Death Certificate/s
- Divorce Decrees
- Medical Information (names and contact information of all physicians and hospitals)
- Military Medical Records for In-service Injuries, Illnesses and Hospitalizations
- Private Medical Records for past and on-going treatment related to In-service Injuries, Illnesses and Hospitalizations
- Power of Attorney/s and Guardianship/s
- Financial Statements
- Wills, Trust, and Estate Documents
- Direct Deposit Bank Information
Education and Training Associations and Accreditations:
- National Association of County Veterans’ Service Officers (NACVSO)
- Illinois Association of County Veterans’ Assistance Commissions (IACVAC)
Contact Us:
If you are or know of a local Veteran, Veteran Family, Unremarried Widow of a Veteran or Adult Disabled Children of a Veteran who was disabled prior to the age of 18 in need of assistance or services, please contact the Veterans' Assistance Commission (VAC) at 618-296-4554 or via email at mcvac@madisoncountyil.gov
Crisis Response:
The VAC is NOT a Crisis Response Agency or Medical Provider. See below to contact a Crisis Response Agency.
- Emergency dial 911 or 988
- Centerstone 24/7 Crisis Response - dial 855-608-3560
- Chestnut Health Systems 24/7 Crisis Response - dial 618-877-0316
- VA Mental Health Services has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public.
Any Veterans in Active Crisis or in need of immediate Medical Attention should call 911, go to the nearest Emergency Room and/or call 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.