Reminder to Veterans, 
     You should never pay an individual or an organization to file your VA disability or pension claim.  There are organizations and individuals that will make you big promises for a high fee.  This is against the law ... this is criminal and if you hear of people doing this they should be reported to the VA Office of the Inspector General.  

     Also, make sure you have an Accredited Representative to help you file claims.  Gillespie County Veterans Service Officer, Tami King, is Accredited with the Texas Veterans Commission, VFW and American Legion, and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. 

     Please share this information with other Veterans who may fall victim to these criminals.

VAMC Kerrville Shuttle Schedule to VAMC Audie Murphy, San Antonio - Reservations Required 

VAMC Kerrville Shuttle Schedule     (Arrival Times Are Approximate as of:  16 Feb 2023) 
Schedule Your Seat on the Shuttle with the Travel Office (David): (830) 896-2020 ext. 12418 
(If you miss the shuttle coming back to Kerrville call Patient Travel Office at VAMC Audie Murphy, San Antonio: (210) 617-5300 ext. 15333) 
Departs Kerrville and Arrives At ALM 
7:30a.m. -  8:45 a.m. 
11:00a.m.   -  12:15 p.m. 
1:00 p.m.  -  2:15 p.m. 
3:00 p.m.  -  4:15 p.m. 
=================
Departs ALM and Arrives at Kerrville 
7:30 a.m.  -  8:45 a.m. 
11:00a.m.  -  12:15 p.m. 
1:00 p.m.  -  2:15 p.m. 
3:00 p.m.  -  4:15 p.m. 
=================
Pick up and Drop off Locations
at Kerrville – Canteen Entrance
at Audie L. Murphy – Outbound Lane Only except during inclement weather or severity of patient. 

Benefits:  General Veteran Assistance

April 2025:   Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Legal Clinics Calendar:  This list is compiled and maintained by the State Bar of Texas.  Most legal clinics require an appointment to attend.   NOTE: Income restrictions may apply. Veterans should contact the clinics directly for more information or to sign up.   
About Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans:
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) is a program implemented by the State Bar of Texas and 2010-2011 State Bar of Texas President Terry Tottenham to address a specific need, providing pro bono civil legal clinics throughout the state to veterans and their families who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to essential legal services.  The TLTV initiative is a collaborative effort of the local bar associations, legal aid groups, and volunteer attorneys across the state by providing free legal assistance. 

January 2025:  The VA has released the 2025 Veterans Benefits Guide and is available online at https://news.va.gov/137659/spread-the-word-the-2025-veterans-benefits-guide-is-now-available/ .   The handbook contains a comprehensive listing of VA programs, including phone numbers and websites for easy reference. The annual Federal Benefits Guide hosts a wealth of information on most VA benefits and services, including: 

  • Compensation.
  • Life insurance.
  • Pension and fiduciary services.
  • Education benefits.
  • Economic development and employment.
  • Home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance.
  • Mental health resources.
October 2024:  Department of Veterans Affairs proposed grant to help veterans that have a Less Than Honorable Discharge.  Earlier this year the VA released an update to assist veterans in a similar way, but this grant will increase access to earned benefits.  (see link below) 
If you, or a veteran you know would like to request a Discharge Upgrade, then check out this link for more information: https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/

May 2024:  What Do Spouses of Veterans & Surviving Spouses Need to Know? Click to view information presented by Tami King. 
a. Our Office Check List on reviewing the associated benefits following a disability compensation rating decision by the VA.

b. Our Check List for Surviving Spouses of potential benefits

c. Handout for Retired Military. 

Remember that every Veteran and Spouse/Surviving Spouse have many similar benefits but is based on what each individual Veteran is entitled to.   Our office will make the initial death notifications to Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration and DFAS-Defense Finance and Accounting Service if you are Retired Military.  We will also file all of the claims to the VA and DFAS for the Surviving Spouse or other designated family member.  

February 2024:  This year's Texas State Veterans Benefits book.  

November 2023:  All WWII Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care and nursing home services:  VA health system to provide or pay for all WWII Veterans nursing home level care in a VA medical facility or VA medical facility contract with a civilian nursing home.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that all World War II Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care.  All WWII Veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under this expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums.  VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their health care needs.

“These members of Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, it’s our job to serve them in every way that we can,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today.”

All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the best, most-affordable health care in America for Veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. 

Veterans who were not approved for VA health care in the past due to income limits should apply again; income levels no longer apply due to this expansion. VA cannot automatically enroll these Veterans in health care; WWII Veterans must apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled.

This expansion is made possible through the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 (Cleland-Dole Act), signed in December 2022. To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic.

September 2023:  AACOG Weatherization Assistance Program is funded by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and United States Department of Energy.  Program is designed to help low-income people overcome high cost of energy by installing weatherization energy conservation measures in their homes - at no cost. Program is open to applicants whose overall household income falls at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Level.  Home owners and renters can apply.

click here for Weatherization Assistance Program Brochure...

click here for AACOG WAP Information Flyer...

click here for AACOG WAP Application...

click here for Weatherization for Rental Properties Available...

click here for Housing for Texas Heroes Grant information...

April 11, 2023:  Buddy Check Day - 11th of Each Month - Texas Govt. Code: The 11th of each month was established by the State of Texas as "Buddy Check Day" in 2021.  The 11th day of each month is Buddy Check Day to encourage veterans to contact other veterans, including those with whom they served, who may need assistance. 

January 2022: Change to DV Texas License Plates & ADA Handicap Parking Spots:  As of January 1, 2022, anyone parking in a disabled parking space must have a disabled person license plate or a disabled parking placard that features the International Symbol of Access (ISA). Currently, disabled veteran license plates do not feature the ISA.
Texans with disabled veteran license plates wishing to use disabled parking spaces in 2022 may apply for a disabled parking placard or for a new disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA. The veteran must meet the eligibility requirements for a disabled parking placard or disabled person license plate featuring the ISA. Not all disabilities that qualify a veteran for disabled veteran license plates will qualify a veteran for a disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA.
As of January 1, 2022, you may apply for a disabled parking placard and/or disabled veteran license plate at the office of your local county tax assessor-collector. 
This is the link to apply for the ADA Placard:    https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/disabled-parking-placards-plates
September 2021:  National Park passes - Free for Veterans:  Are you eligible?  For purposes of this program, a Veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of valid (unexpired) identification:

For more information: https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/80547/veterans-gold-star-families-get-free-entrance-national-parks-refuges-public-lands/?utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&utm_id=VetResources+Sep+15+2021

Disabled Veterans eligible for free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass:  Veterans who have been medically determined to have a disability are eligible for the Lifetime Access Pass—with three options for obtaining the pass:

First, Veterans with disability documentation can order the Access Pass onlinefor a $10 processing fee which includes standard shipping. Documentation required includes:

  • Proof of residency
  • VA disability award letter, VA summary of benefits, or proof of SSDI income

Second, the Interagency Access Pass may be obtained through the mail. Download a paper application from https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass. Follow the instructions on the website and pay the document processing fee of $10.  Once the application package is received by USGS, the documentation will be verified and a pass imprinted with the pass owner’s name will be mailed to the applicant.

Passes ordered online or through the mail will be delivered 3 to 4 weeks after receipt of documentation and processing payment.

A third option is for disabled Veterans to visit a participating federal recreation site where interagency passes are issued, present photo identification (e.g., Driver’s license, State ID, birth certificate, Passport, or permanent resident card), provide documentation of permanent disability, or read and sign a Statement of Permanent Disability affidavit. That’s It. The Pass is free and issued at the time of entry.

Gillespie County
Veterans Service Office
95 Frederick Rd Suite 200
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Telephone: (830) 997-3758
Fax: (830) 997-3245