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.
List of town VSOs:
Ashburnham, Hubbardston, & Westminster
Town Hall 11 South St.
Westminster, MA 01473
978-874-7461
Sarah Wyman
Ashby
Town Hall
272 Main St.
Townsend, MA 01469
978-433-0342
Joseph Mazzola
Ayer
Town Hall
1 Main St.
Ayer, MA 01432
978-772-8220
Mike Detillion
Berlin & 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
TBD
Groton
Town Hall
173 Main St.
Groton, MA 01450
978-448-1175
Maureen Heard
Leominster, Sterling, & Lancaster
100 West St.
Leominster, MA 01453
978-534-7538
Richard Voutour
Lunenburg
17 Main St
Lunenburg, MA 01462
978-582-4176
TBD
Pepperell
Town Hall
1 Main St.
Pepperell, MA 01463
978-433-0342
Joseph Mazzola
Princeton
6 Town Hall Dr.
Princeton, MA 01541
978-974-7461
Sarah Wyman
Shirley
Town Clerk’s Office
7 Keady Way
Shirley, MA 01464
978-425-2600 x280
Mike Detillion
Templeton
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd.
Templeton, MA 01468
978-894-2799
Sheila Pelletier
Townsend
Town Hall
895 Main St.
Townsend, MA 01469
978-433-0342
Joseph Mazzola
Winchendon
Town Hall
109 Front St., Dept 15
Winchendon MA 01475
978-297-0500
Scott J. Gauthier
Other Veteran Service Centers:
Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center
268 Central St., A
Gardner, MA 1440
978-632-9601
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
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 9/2021; revised 9/2021)