About Us

​​​​​The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) was created by the State Legislature in 1999 as an executive agency with the mission of leading veterans, service members, and their families through life’s transitions. The Department’s origin follows the history of the Maryland Veterans Commission back to 1924, when the Soldiers’ Relief Fund Commission was formed to administer a State relief fund for disabled veterans of World War I.

Under the Department of Veterans and Military Families are five major programs:
  • The Service and Benefits Program provides assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland and other programs for veterans and their families. 
  • The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home offers a 168-bed assisted living program, 286-bed skilled nursing program, and memory care in secure units.
  • The Cemetery and Memorial Program offers our honored veterans and their eligible dependents a final resting place at one of five state veterans cemeteries located throughout Maryland.
  • The Communications, Outreach, & Advocacy Program works closely with multiple local, state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations to coordinate efforts to locate and inform Maryland’s veterans as well as to expand benefits and services available to Maryland veterans.
  • The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund makes grants, funded by donations and contributions, to veterans and their family members who are in dire financial situations or to private organizations that help veterans.