Veterans' Services Office

Veterans' Services Office

Paul Cancelliere currently serves as the Veterans Service Officer for the Town of Saugus. Nancy Stead is the Veterans’ Services Office Administrative Assistant. Our office is located on the main floor of Saugus Town Hall. Appointments are encouraged. We can be reached at 781-231-4010 or via e-mail at VeteransServices@saugus-ma.gov., pcancelliere@saugus-ma.gov or  nstead@saugus-ma.gov.

About us

Saugus Veterans’ Services is part of the Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus (MWS) Veterans Services District.  The current MWS Veterans Services District mission statement is: “To advocate on behalf of all the district’s veterans and provide them with guidance on local, state and federal benefit programs, quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need.”

Goals and Objectives

1.) To execute timely and accurate benefit delivery for all veterans seeking help from the Federal, State and Local branches of government

2.) To provide dignity, compassion, respect and privacy to all veterans seeking assistance

3.) To empower veterans through technology, information sharing, and networking; where they can assist themselves and their fellow veterans by connecting services

4.) To continue the fight against homelessness and joblessness within the veteran community

5.) To be honest and forthright with our veterans, researching the correct answer and providing results as quickly as accuracy allows

6.) To see the office as a base of operations, not a home, bringing services to the veteran wherever they are whenever they need

Financial and Medical Assistance Available

Chapter 115 Public Assistance
Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL c 115 and 108 CMR 5.00) the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies, and medical care in accordance with a formula that takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would were the veteran still living.

Veterans, Spouses, and Widows If your Income is below:

Individual … $2,147 a month

married ....… $2,904 a month

                     and

If your liquid asset total (which include money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other property) is less than:

Individual … $8,400

Couple ….... $16,600

You MAY be eligible for benefits from the Saugus Veterans’ Services Office.  Please call, e-mail  or visit the office to see if you are eligible.

To be eligible for veterans' benefits, one must be a "veteran" or a "dependent" of a veteran under M.G.L. c. 4, sec. 7, cl. 43rd as amended by the Acts of 2005, ch. 130.

Pensions
Low-income wartime veterans may be eligible to receive a pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility is income based, and veterans must be 65 years of age or older or be totally and permanently disabled.

VA Health Care System
Veterans can receive health care services from a number of local VA Medical Facilities. Applications are filled out and sent to the desired facility’s eligibility office. Inpatient, outpatient, dental, pharmacy, prosthetic, women’s health services and many others can be received through the VA Health Care System.

Disability Compensation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a tax-free benefit to veterans who currently have a disability that is the result of an injury, disease, or an event in military service. Applications and guidance are offered in the Saugus Veterans’ Services Department for those who are eligible.

Aid and Attendance & Housebound Benefits
In some cases, if a veteran or surviving spouse requires the aid of another person in order to perform his or her activities of daily living, and/or are housebound due their medical condition, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs may issue an additional payment for those who meet set criteria. The benefit is contingent upon eligibility of the basic pension benefit.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may issue monetary benefits to survivors of service members who died on active duty, died from service-related disabilities, or certain veterans who were being paid 100% disability compensation at time of death.

Death Pension
Certain low-income surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans maybe entitled to receive a Death Pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Education Benefits

Various education benefits are available to veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as programs specific to Massachusetts. Applications and information for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Tuition Waivers for Massachusetts Veterans, and all other programs are provided in the Melrose Veterans' Services Office.

Additional information about financial assistance for service members and veterans can be found at http://www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/military/

Burial Benefits

Headstones and Markers
Applications are available to receive Government issued headstones and markers to eligible veterans through The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Additional Programs

The Town of Saugus offers a property tax exemption for disabled veterans.  You can apply through the Saugus Assessor’s Office.

Coronavirus

Call your VA medical center before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room, especially if you have symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Calling first helps us protect you, medical staff, and other patients. Ask your VA health care team about the option of care by phone or video instead of an in-person visit. We also ask that visitors who feel unwell postpone their visits to VA facilities.

Update:  With the recent passing of the SAVE LIVES Act, all veterans, spouses and veteran caregivers are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine through the VA. To register, spouses and caregivers will need their veteran's name and last four of the veteran's SSN.  Veterans can visit  https://www.bedford.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp for Vaccine Clinic details.  Bedford VA Vaccine Clinic phone number is 781-687-4000

Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest coronavirus information. You can also read about VA's public health response. You can access and manage your VA benefits and health care online.  Please refer to the following link for assistance. 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

https://www.va.gov/

Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-veterans-services

Please reach out to us with questions or for assistance.  We may not be available immediately but will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you

 

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Nancy Stead Veterans' Service Administrator 781-231-4010
Paul Cancelliere 781-231-4010
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