Veterans Services | Dodge County, WI

Dodge County Veterans Services is here to help veterans and their families navigate services, provide support and coordinate opportunities to connect with other veterans. We strive to keep veterans and their family informed on all relevant veteran information with legislation or benefit changes.

Dodge County Veterans Services has VA Accredited representatives to help from the start of the application process to the final decision. We are not Department of Veterans Affairs employees; we are county employees here to be the advocate for your benefits. Our office serves as a liaison between the veteran and the VA. Veterans Services helps navigate through the barriers to benefits veterans have earned through their service to our country. Remember no two veterans are alike. All benefit eligibility is based on individual service.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Appointment Recommended

Walk-In Wednesday: Every Wednesday from 9:00 pm - 3:00 pm - see below for more information

*Appointments outside of normal customer service hours may be coordinated upon request

Ready to Receive Your Benefits?

What Can Dodge County Veterans Services Help With

Dodge County Veterans Services offers help with:

Federal Benefits:

VA Health Care
Veteran Pension
Service Connected Disability Compensation
VA Appeals
Education Benefits
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
VA Survivor Pension
CHAMPVA
DEA Education Benefit
Burial Allowances
Burial in a National Cemetery
Government markers, medallions, plaque or urn
Cold War Recognition Certificate
Funeral Honors and burial flags
Home Loan Guaranty Program
Veteran Readiness and Employment
Home Improvement and Vehicle Adaption Grants
Mental Health Assistance - Referrals to Vet Centers
Homeless Veteran Programs

State Benefits:

WI GI Bill - Veteran and Eligible Dependents
"Veteran" Identifier on Driver's License
Property Tax Credit for Totally Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses
State Park and Trail Pass
State Grants for Veterans in Need
State Veterans Homes
State Veterans Cemeteries
Referrals to Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program

Local Veteran Benefits:

Veteran Relief Fund for Dodge County Veterans and their Family
Flag Holders and Flags for Veteran Graves*
Record original discharge paperwork with Register of Deeds and Obtain Certified Copies
Referrals to Heat and Rent for Heroes, Energy Assistance, Goodwill Vouchers, CVI, Veteran Employment Representatives and Local Dodge County Offices.
Provide outreach for events
Home visits to housebound veterans and dependents
Request official military personnel file and reissue medals from NPRC

*provided to the cemeteries or organizations for Memorial Day/Veterans Day

And MORE! If there is an item not listed that you would like assistance with, please call or email.

Remember no two veterans are alike. All benefit eligibility is based on individual service. Nearly all VA benefits are not automatic and must be applied for.

Not a Dodge County Resident? Find your County or Tribe VSO!

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Are you coming to the Veterans Services office for an appointment?

Here are all the things you should bring with you to help your appointment go as smoothly as possible.

General Benefits Overview: DD214 (discharge paper. This is the key to all benefits)

VA Health Care: DD214, Spouse/Children DOB, SSN and your marriage date, Last year’s income information and out of pocket medical expenses, Copy of Medicare Card/Private Health Insurance Card

VA Compensation: DD214, private medical records for claimed condition (VA Medical Records not needed), voided check to send with application.

Update Dependents: Children: DOB, SSN, Place of Birth. Spouse: DOB, SSN, Date and Place of Marriage. Past Spouses: Name, DOB, Date/Place of Marriage, and Date/Place of Divorce/Death for all past spouses for Veteran AND current spouse.

VA Pension/Survivor Pension: DD214, all current financial information with statements, medical expenses, current Social Security Statement, Voided Check for submission with claim - Survivor Pension: Also bring marriage certificate and death certificate, any previous marriages will need to be reported with date of marriage and end date.

DIC: DD214, Death Certificate, marriage certificate (information on any past marriages), voided check for submission with claim

Burial Benefits/Government Markers: DD214, Funeral Home Invoice, Proof of plot/internment expenses, death certificate. (A setting fee for the monument company may apply for government markers)

There is no charge for VA benefits. Veterans should never pay someone for these services.

Walk-In Wednesday

Meet with Dodge County Veterans Services every Wednesday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Services Available:

Veteran Identifier on WI IDs and Driver's Licenses
Disabled Veterans and Former POW State Park Pass
Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit Application
Federal and State Education Benefits
Intent to File for VA Pension, Compensation and Survivor Benefits
Emergency Assistance and Gift Cards
Adding a Dependent on your Compensation Award
& MORE

Availability is on a first come first serve basis. Due to time constraints and to serve the most amount of veterans, appointments may be required for some benefits.

Veterans Emergency Relief Fund

Dodge County Veterans Emergency Relief Fund Applications

If you are a veteran or a veteran's spouse who is in need of financial assistance please fill out either the emergency relief fund request or a gift card request.

Fillable VSC Application Updated 6-7-2024

VSC Gift Card Request- Updated

Required Documents for Application to be Considered

1. Proof of Dodge County Residency
2. Copy of Current Bank Statements for Checking and Savings
3. Copy of Bill/Statement for the assistance being requested
4. DD 214 (If Reserves/National Guard: proof of service obligation completed NBG 22 or similar)

Please send all completed applications with supporting documents to Katlynn Rhyner, Dodge County Veterans Service Officer.

If you are emailing the application packet, please do not put complete SSN. Only last 4.

Before a second request can be considered, please review the Community Resource Guide and complete a budget with one of the budgeting resources.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

This is a needs based program with limited funding and additional funds are based on donations. This program is not designed to be supplemental income. If you would like to donate to our Veterans Emergency Relief Fund please reach out to Katlynn Rhyner, Dodge County Veterans Service Officer

Dodge County Veterans Service Commission Fund Guidelines
Type of Service • To receive a grant from the Veterans Service Commission the veteran had to have served on “active duty” at least one day or completed full-service obligation for the National Guard/Reserves. “Active duty for training” does not qualify. Proof of completion of reserve obligation is required (1) • To receive a grant from the Veterans Service Commission the veteran had to have had an “honorable” discharge. An “Under honorable conditions” does not qualify. However, the honorable discharge does not have to have been the last discharge if there were more than one period of service. (2)






Residency Requirement • To receive a grant from the Veterans Service Commission the veteran must provide proof of Dodge County residency (rental agreement, utility bill, telephone bill etc). There is no minimum time of residency required. (3)



Request Limitations • There is no per year or lifetime limit for VSC funds. It is to be handled on a case by case basis. (4) • Prior to second request being considered in one year, veteran/applicant must show proof of financial planning through one of the Budgeting Resources listed in “Dodge County Community Resources” Booklet. (6) • Maximum amount paid for first request: $2,000. Additional Requests made in the 12 month time frame: $1,500. Assistance cannot be paid for two consecutive months for the same issue (6)






Special Authority • Beginning January 1, 2013, the VSC secretary has the authority using their judgment to provide assistance to a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran that does not exceed $200.00 without requiring the completion of the VSC application. This special authority also expands the eligibility for assistance to include those veterans with a character of discharge of Under Honorable Conditions and under legislative changes (Don't Ask Don't Tell, Covid Refusals etc). (5)





(1) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated August 23, 2006, July 26, 2007 & May 31, 2023 (2) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated August 23, 2006 & July 26, 2007 (3) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated July 26, 2007 (4) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated August 7, 2008 (5) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated August ,7 2012 & May 31, 2024 (6) Confirmed by Dodge County Veterans Service Commission at committee meeting dated May 31, 2024

Upcoming Events

DCVSO Team

Meet the Dodge County Veterans Services Staff

Katlynn Rhyner - Dodge County Veterans Service Officer, Army Veteran

Rhyner, Katlynn

I am currently serving in the WI National Guard as a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Specialist. I enlisted in 2013 as a traditional Guardsman but have around 3 years of active duty and served overseas in Eastern Europe in 2021-2022. I come from a military family with three of my grandfathers serving during Vietnam, uncles, cousins, and my brother who all have served, but I am the first female in my family to wear a uniform. My journey with the VA started as a VA work study student at UW Oshkosh Veteran Resource Center while earning my bachelor's degree. Then, I worked as the Senior Benefits Specialist with Outagamie County Veterans Services from 2019-2023 before coming to Dodge County as the Veterans Service Officer. I love being a part of the Veteran community and being able to serve all generations of Veterans. I am a new mom to a little boy. In my free time, I love to travel when I can, attend car shows with my grandpa, and spoil my two cats.

Jessica Bull - Veterans Benefits Specialist, USMC Veteran

Bull, Jessica

I served in the Marine Corps for 8 years in supply, two of which were spent in Okinawa, then three at Paris Island, SC, and three at Camp Lejeune, NC. I am a third generation Marine; my grandpap served during the Korea War era and both my parents and two of my uncles served during the Gulf War. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Marine and wanted to continue serving the veteran community when I got out which is how I ended up as the Veteran Benefits Specialist here at Dodge County. In my free time I run a small horse farm breeding, showing, and training Appaloosa horses with my husband and our two children

Edgar Allan Poet - "Poe"

Poe

VA Math Explained

VA Math - How does it work? VA Math Explained

The VA uses the Whole-Body Concept when combining VA ratings. Every person starts off at 100% and each following service-connected condition takes a percentage of the overall total. You can never be more than 100% service connected. The VA doesn’t add percentages together they combine them.

VA Math: 30 % + 20% + 10% = Combined Rating of 50% (NOT 60%)

How is this possible? Think of a percent of a percent of a percent.

Benefits by Disability Percentage

FAQs

My claim has been submitted. What happens next?

The VA process can be very lengthy especially if this is your first claim. The VA receives the claim. Then it moves to pending initial development (getting the claim established). If needed the VA will request all federal records, service records, and private records (if a release was submitted). The VA then orders a C&P exam to determine the severity of the claimed condition and/or a medical opinion. Once that is done, the VA reviews all the information and the claim is adjugated.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING VA C&P EXAMS

The VA conducts ALL VA Compensation and Pension exams by the following VA Contractors:
- VES - Veterans Evaluation Services
- QTC - Quality Timeliness and Customer Service1
- OPTUM SERVE – or - LHI
The contractors will be reaching out to you and MAY contact you by one or more of the following means: phone, text, e-mail, FedEx, and USPS mail.
Phone calls will come through as “Unknown” and/or different area codes.
Make sure to accept and respond to the inquiries to NOT delay your claim.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, call them at the numbers above to reschedule.Not attending appointment will cause your claim to be denied.
If you have any questions regarding your exam, please contact VES, QTC, or LHI at the numbers they provide to you.

Development Letters

The VA may ask you for more information through a development letter.
These letters with have a “RESPOND WITHIN XX DAYS” in a black bar across the top or be requested on eBenefits/va.gov
CALL YOUR CVSO FOR ASSISTANCE. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT DOCUMENTATON ON YOUR OWN

How long does it take for my claim to be approved?

Click Here to View Current AVERAGE Claim Time

Check Your Claim or Appeal Status

How to change my direct deposit with the VA?

Dodge County Veterans Services is not able to change your direct deposit for you. This can be done by calling the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 or on VA.gov

Can Dodge County Veterans Services help with my VA home loan?

We can request your certificate of eligibility for your VA home loan. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist with any escrow accounts, applying for the loan, looking for houses, or transferring the loan. Those would all have to go through your realtor and your lending agency.

Does Dodge County Veterans Services assist with finding an attorney or creating wills?

Sorry, we are not able to provide any legal services. We are able to represent Veterans to the VA for their claims for benefits. We are not able to create wills or provide legal advice in civilian matters.

The VA offers this information for wills. The VA also lists 12 places that offer free wills or trusts to veterans.

Does the VA pay for dental care?

Yes and no. We know not a very helpful answer. It depends on a number of factors, like your military service history and your current health and living situation. Click here to see if you fall into a category of approved for VA dental care.

The VA does offer the option to purchase supplemental dental insurance if you are enrolled in VA health care. This is the same for dependents using CHAMPVA. See more on this program here.

Dodge County, WI

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