County of Lycoming

Office of Veterans Affairs

The Lycoming County Veterans Affairs Office provides assistance to Lycoming County veterans and/or their family members in securing local, state and federal benefits for eligible applicants. All services are provided free of charge. You may contact our office to make an appointment or if you have any questions concerning services to veterans and their families. 

Please click here for our VA Brochure.

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Office Hours

Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed weekends and major holidays.

Click here to view: Frequently Asked Questions

Introducing our staff:

We are here to help you . . . please call if you have questions, or to make an appointment.

1 SG Donald L. Cohick (Ret.)
 Lycoming County Veterans Affairs Director

Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Twenty-seven years combined military service

Please call for an appointment: 570-320-2100

Phone: 570-327-2365
E-mail: dcohick@lyco.org

Joan C. Blank
Administrative Specialist

Fully accredited as a Veterans Service Officer by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Please call for an appointment:
Phone: 570-320-8157
E-mail: jblank@lyco.org

To make an appointment, please call:

Kim Sewall – Secretary

Phone: 570-320-2100
E-mail: ksewall@lyco.org

Directions: Our office is located in the Executive Plaza Building at 330 Pine Street, behind the Lycoming County Courthouse (48 West Third Street, Williamsport). Metered parking is available on Pine, Court, Third and Fourth streets or the parking decks on Third Street.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Am I contacting the right office?

Each county in Pennsylvania provides services to their veterans. Application procedures and funding vary, therefore applicants need to seek assistance through their county of residence. If you are not a resident of Lycoming County, please refer to the PA Directory of County Veterans Affairs Directors, which lists the location and phone number of each county’s offices. The director in your county will be able to help you.

Am I eligible for benefits?

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code

Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. For a review of county, state, and federal benefits and services, please refer to the links provided above.

Certain VA benefits require wartime service. Under the law, the VA recognizes these war periods:

DATES OF WARTIME SERVICE:

• War on Terrorism: September 11, 2001 to present (or the cessation of hostilities as determined by U.S. Government including Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom).
• Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990 to September 10, 2001.
• Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975.
• In Country (Vietnam): February 28, 1961 to August 4, 1964.
• Korean War: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955.
• World War II: December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946.

What benefits are available?

For a review of County Veterans Benefits, State Veterans Benefits, and Federal Veterans Benefits, please refer to the appropriate links.

What documents do I need?

Those seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit the original or certified copy of their service discharge form (DD-214, DD-215, or for WWII veterans, a WD form), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service.

Figure #1 (below) is the type of discharge required. If you cannot locate your discharge form, or you have not registered it at your county courthouse Register and Recorders office, you may request one online at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html, or contact our office for assistance.

Figure #2 (below) is not acceptable as proof of your military service.

Figure #1

Figure #2

The following documents will be needed to process a claim related to the death of a veteran:

1. Veteran’s marriage license for claims of a surviving spouse or children.
2. Veteran’s divorce decrees (if applicable) to establish legitimacy of spouse.
3. Veteran’s death certificate if death occurred anywhere other than in a VA health care facility.
4. Children’s birth certificates or adoption papers to determine children’s benefits.
5. Veteran’s birth certificate to determine parents’ benefits.

To obtain copies of these documents, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health/Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce) at this web address: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=168&Q=229939 or contact the state in which these events took place for more information.