How Alpena Dept. of Veteran Affairs Helps Local Veterans

When exiting the service, many veterans aren’t sure of what their next step is going to be. They may not have a plan once they finish their service. This is where the Department of Veterans Affairs can help.

The Department of Veterans Affairs helps Alpena County veterans apply for benefits through veterans affairs. They help with such things as disability incurred in service, pensions for surviving spouses, and possible healthcare benefits.

“The most important step that every veteran can take is number one; bring your discharge papers into this office, and we will help you through the process of applying for and checking on the availability of these benefits,” says William Stypick of the Alpena County Department of Veterans Affairs. Stypick says according to his data, there are around 2500 veterans in the Alpena area, but only roughly 800 are registered in their office. He’s hoping more veterans will reach out so they can help them.

“These are the benefits that you were promised when you signed that blank check,” he said. “But unfortunately, when you get out, the onus is on you to come in here and take advantage of those benefits.”

Caring for veterans and helping them transition back into public life has made progress in the last couple of years. There’s still a ways to go, but that progress has been encouraging.

“Most people getting out are given the opportunity, and they’re being told by whatever branch of service, whatever is available for them out there, they’re supposed to attend transitioning classes to explain this stuff to them,” said Stypick.

Stypick and the DVA want to help as many veterans find benefits as they can, but the first step for veterans is reaching out.

“Step number one is, you got to come in the door in order for us to help you or we just don’t know you’re out there,” he said.

If you are a veteran in Alpena and are looking to find out what benefits you are entitled to due to your service, you can call the Alpena County Department of Veterans Affairs office at 989-354-9671.