Imperial County

Veteran Services

Our Mission

The Imperial County Veterans Service Office is charged with ensuring that all Imperial County veterans, their spouses and dependents receive their benefits earned for having served their country—and receive them in a respectful, courteous and professional manner.

Our Second Mission

Our office has also taken on the responsibility to be a leading resource for veterans who are seeking employment. We will provide veterans with information related to employment and training opportunities as well as veteran specific job-seeker resources.

Overview

The Imperial County Veteran Services Office is one of 55 offices in California authorized by State Legislature to assist veterans in establishing eligibility for veteran, spouse and dependent benefits and assisting with filing related claims.

Description

This office is not a Federal Veterans Affairs office. However, the VSO and VSR staff members are certified by the California Department of Veteran Affairs Office (CDVA), National Association of Veteran Services Officers (NACVSO), American Legion (AL), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and related veteran organizations to assist and represent veterans, spouses and dependents with all benefits and claims.

General Information

We can assist veterans and family members with the preparation, completion and submission of documents and forms required to prove eligibility for the following:

Medical Benefits – initial and renewals
Compensation for Service-Related Disabilities
Employment and Job Search Resources
Service Member Life Insurance
Educational Benefits
California College Fee Waiver
Vocational Rehabilitation
Home Loan Certificate
Military Survivor Benefits Plan
Pensions
Burial Benefits

If you have any questions related to veterans’ benefits and eligibility, feel free to stop by our offices located at 217 South 10th Street, El Centro, CA, 92243 during our office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or contact us at (442) 265-3200

Contact Information

Imperial County Veterans Service Office

217 South 10th Street

El Centro, CA

(442) 265-3200

(442) 265-3208

davidhernandez@co.imperial.ca.us

Complete filable application, print, attach required information and bring to the VSO. If you need to order your DD-214 go to NPRC and complete the online request.

NPRC Website

Once you have created your PREMIUM ACCOUNT, you will need to prove who you are. There are two ways:

If you are in receipt of COMPENSATION or PENSION benefits you can call: 1-800-827-1000 You will need a valid ID and know the your compensation or pension information.

After the welcome message, Press 1 then 7 for E-Benefits PREMIUM Account proofing (Proving your Identification). After the second message press 0 to hold.

E-Benefits Brochure

If you are NOT in receipt of a compensation or pension benefit then you will need to go to the Veterans Administration San Diego Regional Office: 8810 San Diego River Drive, San Diego, CA.

You will need your a valid identification, DD-214 and have your PREMIUM ACCOUNT login and password information.If you have any questions or need additional information feel free to visit our office.

Complete filable application, print, attach required information and bring to the VSO. If you need to order your DD-214 go to NPRC and complete the online request.

Transportation

From Imperial County to Mission Valley VA Clinic and La Jolla VA Regional Medical Center. A 10-day advanced notice and scheduled appointment are required

Toll Free: 1-858-552-7470 For Non-Wheelchair accessible
Toll Free: 1-858-552-7575 For Wheelchair or other ambulatory needs

Health Care, Imperial County VA Outpatient Clinic

From Imperial County to Mission Valley VA Clinic and La Jolla VA Regional Medical Center. A 10-day advanced notice and scheduled appointment are required

Local: 760-352-1506
Fax: 760-371-9375

Health Care, San Diego VA System.

Toll Free: 1-858-552-8585

Press 2 for Appointments,
Press 3 for Eligibility for Health Services,
Press 4 for General Information,
Press 0 for Assistance,
Extension 7564 for Audiology

Claims Follow-up or Inquires, VA San Diego Regional Office

(Includes E-benefits assistance and more) 1-800-827-1000

The MEANS TEST

In order to access Health Benefit Services most veterans must complete a yearly MEANS TEST. A Means Test is simply an Application for Health Benefits VA Form 1010-EZ or, in the case of veterans who are renewing, a 1010-EZR. This is required even if a veteran is enrolled in the VA Health System elsewhere in the State or Nation. Unfortunately, neither the clinic nor this office has access to VA ELIGIBILITY Medical Records to determine eligibility or previous year income.

The reason for the yearly application (Means Test) is that Health Benefits are based on Priority Rating 1 through 8 and/or the veteran’s household income. Some veterans qualify year-to-year based only on household income. Those veterans MUST assure to submit a yearly Means Test as early in the year as possible to prevent cancellation of appointments or retroactive billings.

To enroll locally a veteran will need to complete a VA Form 1010-EZ Application for Health Benefits. In order to properly complete the form this office will need the veteran to provide:

DD214
Some form of Identification
Dependent information:

Spouse
Children

Family Health Insurance Information to include:

Private Insurance Policy
Medical cards
Medicare

You will be asked to provide family household income and financial information

Income (earned or other)
Financial Information

Income
Savings
Holdings
Real Estate (Excluding Primary Home)

A veteran can refuse to provide financial information. Refusing to do so may delay the eligibility date for services. Typical time frames for confirmation of eligibility are between 10 to 30 days.

Yearly Renewals

Veterans who are registered with this office and have been enrolled into Health Benefits, need only provide information related to changes in:

Personal Status
Dependent (family member) status<
Insurance coverage (Private or Public)
Income or net worth as noted for new registrants

Yearly Eligibility Anniversary

Eligibility must by confirmed at the start of each new calendar year (January to December). This requires that a Means Test be submitted before your eligibility anniversary (the day you were initially deemed eligible). We, however, recommend that you submit your Means Test as early in the year as possible to prevent RETORACTIVE CHARGES for medical services.

Retroactive Charges

An important aspect of receiving medical benefits or services based on income is to assure a veteran does not incur charges for these benefits or services if the veteran’s previous year’s income increased beyond the ALLOWABLE INCOME THRESHOLD.

Let us explain.

As an example we will use the year 2011 as the year to establish eligibility for services in 2012.

In 2011 a veteran was unemployed and had no income. The veteran applied for Health Benefits (late in the year) in October of 2012 and was found eligible due to Zero (0) income. In this case his anniversary will be October 2013.

During 2012, however, the veteran became employed and earned enough income that elevated the household income beyond the allowable threshold. In early 2013 the veteran attends some medical appointments, has lab work done and buys medication through the VA health system.

The veteran now dutifully submits the Means Test in September 2013. The veteran then receives a letter form the VA indicating ineligibility for services at no cost or reduced rates because the 2102 income exceeded the allowable income threshold. The veteran must now pay for any co-pays or other billable amounts the veteran incurred early in the year.

Remember: The current income eligibility is based on the previous calendar year income. Not from the veteran's anniversary date. In order to prevent these surprise charges it is best to provide a means test as early in the year as possible.

Press 2 for Appointments,
Press 3 for Eligibility for Health Services,
Press 4 for General Information,
Press 0 for Assistance,
Extension 7564 for Audiology

Remedies

The VA understands that, in some instances, these charges will impose a hardship on the veteran. In these cases a veteran can request to be set on a payment plan to pay back the charges or request a waiver of the charges. Each case is reviewed on its merits. The veteran must submit an explanation on a VA Form 21-4138 - Statement of The Case and complete VA Form 5655 - Financial Status Report indicating how the charges will impose a hardship.

Feel free to contact this office you have any questions or need assistance for any veteran related matter. We are here to assure you receive all the benefits you rightfully deserve.

The VA has a national education online site where you can get information about VA education benefit programs.

Visit Site

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Link or you can find answers to common questions about our education claim by choosing the: "Ask a Question and Find Answers" option. You will need an account to access this and additional features.

Create an Account

If you need help with your VA education benefits you can call toll free. From the U.S dial: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

If you are hearing impaired call: 1-800-829-4833

The below listed military related handbooks are available for online viewing, printing and\or downloading from National Resource Directory (NRD.gov) sources. The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a website that connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans, retirees, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them.

VA for Vets helps Veterans and transitioning Military Service Members find federal or non-profit careers. The VA for Vets Career Center tools provide opportunities to translate military skills, build federal resumes and search and apply for open positions. VA for Vets is the flagship initiative of the Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO)

Imperial Valley Transit (IVT)

Imperial Valley Transit (IVT) is a countywide fixed route general public bus service.

792 East Ross Road B

El Centro, CA 92243

(760) 482-2900

www.ivtransit.com

Imperial Valley Transit Access (IVT Access)

Imperial Valley Transit Access (IVT Access) is an advanced reservation, curb-to-curb transportation service for mobility disadvantaged persons certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA of 1990