Information

Resources

Department of Veteran Affairs

Download the VA app on google play or apple store

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) main information hotline is 1-800-698-2411 (available 24/7), which serves as a central point for all veterans and their families. For immediate crisis support, veterans can call 988 and then press 1. Other key numbers include:

VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET)
VA Health Care Hotline: 877-222-8387 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET)
GI Bill Hotline: 888-442-4551 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET)
VA Loan Guaranty: 877-827-3702 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET)
Life Insurance (SGLI/VGLI): 800-419-1473 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET)
TTY (Text Telephone): 711

Key Services & Contacts

1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411): The main number for general information, which can connect callers to specific VA experts.
VA.gov Technical Support: 866-279-3677
Veterans Service Organization Locator: 888-777-4443

Regional and Specialized Contacts (Ohio Examples)

VA Inspector General: 800-488-8244
Cleveland Regional Office: 216-522-3600
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center: 614-257-5200
Chillicothe VA Medical Center: 513-861-3100

Military Veteran Resource Center

https://ohiocares.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ohiocares/providers/resource-map/military-veterans-resource-center

Veterans Care Network provides veterans with the resources they need to lift their families out of poverty and lead successful lives

NEOPAT

https://neopat.org/

We’re a non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and remembering those we have lost fighting for our freedoms. NEOPAT has made the promise to do whatever it takes to support and serve our local military members and families and to remember those who have gone before us.

Ohio Military Friendly

https://ohiomilitaryfriendly.com

A Summary of Ohio’s Programs for Active Duty Service Members, National Guardsmen, Reservists, Veterans, and their Families

Veterans Care Network

Military Veterans Resource Center https://ohiocares.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ohiocares/providers/resource-map/military-veterans-resource-center

Veterans Care Network provides veterans with the resources they need to lift their families out of poverty and lead successful lives

Find Veterans Service Offices

Department of Veteran Services Ohio

https://dvs.ohio.gov/

Find Veterans services office

https://dvs.ohio.gov/what-we-do/find-a-cvso

Military Organizations

DAV

https://ohiodav.org/

AMVETS

https://www.ohamvets.org/

American Legion

https://www.ohiolegion.com/

VFW

https://vfwoh.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp

First Fisher Group

https://www.fisherhouse.org/about/

Established to provide "homes away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at military and VA medical centers. It has grown to over 100 houses.

Homestead Act

Ohio’s homestead exemption allows honorably discharged veterans with a 100% service-connected, permanent disability to exempt up to $50,000 of their home's market value from property taxes. This program helps lower property tax bills for eligible primary residences and does not have the income restrictions that apply to the standard senior citizen homestead exemption.

Key Details of the Ohio Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption:

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating or individual unemployability rating, and own/occupy the home as their primary residence on Jan 1.
Benefits: Exempts $50,000 (roughly $52,300+ depending on local tax rates in some years) of the home's market value from taxation.
Application: File form DTE 105I, along with a DD214 and VA disability rating letter, with your local County Auditor.
Surviving Spouses: The benefit continues for a surviving spouse if the veteran was receiving the exemption at the time of death.

Important Notes:

Application Deadline: Applications for the Homestead Exemption must be submitted by December 31st of the tax year.
Non-Service Connected: A general "permanently and totally disabled" designation can also qualify, but it may have different income requirements.
Expansion Efforts: As of 2023-2025, there are legislative proposals to expand this program to veterans with 50%–70% disability ratings, but the current, active law requires a 100% rating.

For more specific information on how to file, you should reach out to your county auditor.

Driving with hearing loss

1800law1010.com/driving-with-hearing-loss/

BMV

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/military.aspx

Free Driver's License

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/military-veteran-gratis-driver-license.aspx

Free Plates

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/military-veterans-with-disabilities-plates.aspx

CDL Waiver

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/military-veteran-cdl-testing-waiver.aspx

Driver's License/ID renewal 6 months prior to separation

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/military-veteran-dl-id.aspx

Bringing your vehicles home

To register a vehicle brought from another state, Ohio requires veterans/residents to obtain a physical VIN inspection, present their out-of-state title (or registration if a lienholder holds the title) to a County Clerk of Courts Title Office, and pay registration fees. Active-duty military stationed outside Ohio can maintain Ohio registration by mail.

Key Requirements for Out-of-State Vehicles in Ohio:

VIN Inspection: A physical inspection (Form BMV 3787) is required for used vehicles from another state. This can be done at any Ohio deputy registrar license agency or dealer.
Title Transfer: If you are a new resident, you must transfer your out-of-state title to an Ohio title at a County Clerk of Courts title office.
Registration by Mail (Active Duty): Active-duty members stationed outside Ohio can use BMV 4625 Application for Registration by Mail to register vehicles.
Out-of-State VIN Inspection: If you are a military member currently living out of state, the inspection can be done by a commanding military authority.