The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) advocates on behalf of New York’s Veterans and their families, as individuals and as a group, to ensure they receive benefits granted by law for service in the United States Armed Forces. The Department provides free benefits advising. Experienced and dedicated advisors — each a Veteran — work in a network of field offices across the state and offer Veterans and their families with professional help to resolve social, medical, and economic matters. Veterans Benefits Advisors assist the claimant — whether a Veteran, spouse, child, or parent — in completing applications, obtaining necessary documentation, and filing claims for a broad spectrum of federal, State, local, and private Veterans’ benefits. Veterans Benefits Advisors also assist by responding to follow-up correspondence and, appealing an unfavorable ruling. By working closely with other State, federal, local, and private agencies, the Department of Veterans’ Services utilizes the expertise and resources of others to help Veterans and their families with specific needs, such as economic, employment, rehabilitation, medical treatment, home health care, education, and tax exemption. The Department plans and coordinates outreach services within the community and works closely with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other state agencies. The Department strives to educate the general public and governmental, and private agencies to the special skills and needs of Veterans, particularly those men and women who served in combat and who may have specific medical, employment and other needs or skills uniquely resulting from wartime experience. A toll-free information and referral hotline — 1-888-VETS-NYS (1-888-838-7697) — is available to refer Veterans and their families to the nearest Veterans Benefits Advisor Office.