What are Veteran Services Officers?
Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) are appointed by the mayors in cities and by the board of selectmen in towns to administer Chapter 115 benefits to Veterans. One person may serve as a VSO for two or more communities. VSOs process applications for emergency assistance benefits that are paid to veterans and/or their dependents for periods of time when they may not be able to support themselves. They also administer benefits for burial expenses of veterans and their dependents who die without sufficient means to pay for funeral expenses. VSOs work out of City or Town Halls and are knowledgeable about an array of federal, state, and local benefits to which Veterans and dependents may be entitled. His or her job is to help Veterans in the community learn about, apply for, and in some cases, receive benefits. Every VSO is a Veteran.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers a need-based program of financial and medical assistance for Veterans and their dependents known as M.G.L. Chapter 115 (Chapter 115). Qualifying Veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel, and medical care in accordance with a formula which considers the number of dependents and income from all sources.
Eligible dependents of deceased Veterans are provided with the same benefits as if the Veteran were still living.
Every city and town has a VSO who administers this program for those with a discharge under honorable conditions. Applications are available from the VSO in the community where the veteran resides. The VSO can help veterans complete their application for Chapter 115 benefits.
Boston Regional Office for Veterans
List of town VSOs:
Ashburnham
11 South Street, Westminster, MA
978-874-7461
Cory Hassleman
Ashby
95 Pleasant Street, Room 14, Gardner, MA 01440
978-630-4017
Cory Hassleman
Ayer
Town Hall, 1 Main St. Ayer, MA 01432
978-456-6848
Mike Detillion
Berlin
Town Hall, 23 Linden St. Berlin, MA 01503
978-838-2560
James Cabral
Bolton
Town Hall, 23 Linden St. Berlin, MA 01503
978-838-2560
James Cabral
Clinton
Town Hall, 242 Church St. Clinton, MA 01510
978-365-4112
Brendan Bailey
Fitchburg
City Hall, Room 103, 718 Main St. Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-829-1797
Michele Marino
Gardner
City Hall, Room 209, 95 Pleasant St. Gardner, MA 01440
978-630-4017
Cory Hassleman
Groton
51 Main Street, Dunstable, MA 01827
978-649-3919
Maureen Heard
Hubbardston
Hubbardston Public Library, 7 Main Street Hubbardston, MA 01452
978-928-1400 x244
Lauren Wright
Lancaster
39 Harvard Road, Lancaster, MA 01523
978-534-7538
Christopher Davis
Leominster
100 West St. Leominster, MA 01453
978-534-7538
Richard Voutour
Lunenburg
960 Massachusetts Ave, PO Box 135 Lunenburg, MA 01462
978-582-4176
Michelle Durkee
Pepperell
Town Hall, 1 Main St. Pepperell, MA 01463
978-433-0342
Meghan Murphy
Princeton
6 Town Hall Dr. Princeton, MA 01541
978-630-4017
Cory Hassleman
Shirley
Town Clerk’s Office, 7 Keady Way Shirley, MA 01464
978-456-6848
Mike Detillion
Sterling
100 West St. Leominster, MA 01453
978-534-7538
Richard Voutour
Templeton
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd. Room 8, Templeton, MA 01438
978-894-2785
Michelle Durkee
Townsend
Memorial Hall, 272 Main Street Townsend, MA 01469
978-433-0342
Natalie Call
Westminster
95 Pleasant Street, Room 209 Gardner, MA 01440
978-630-4017
Cory Hassleman
Winchendon
Town Hall 109 Front St. Winchendon MA 01475
978-297-0500
Stephen Bassett
Veteran Service Officers may change, please check the VSO lookup tool for up-to-date information: Website
Other Veteran Service Centers:
Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center
268 Central St., A
Gardner, MA 1440
978-632-9601
Veteran Homestead
3 Victory Lane
Gardner, MA 01440
978-632-1271
VA Outpatient Clinic
881 Main St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-342-9781
Disclaimer: This resource comes as a courtesy from ASNCM. You are hereby notified that Aging Services of North Central MA does not recommend, guarantee, or assume liability for the performance or lack thereof, for any of the resources listed.
Compiled by the Information & Referral at Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts. (Updated annually 10/2024)