FAQs
Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
Unless otherwise noted, the following Departments are abbreviated to mean:
DVMF – Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families
USDVA – United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families is a Maryland State Government Agency, we collaborate with, but do not have governance over the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), the USDVA Healthcare Administration, USDVA Benefits Administration or USDVA Cemetery Administration.
I have questions about USDVA benefits and military discharge records
DVMF Veterans Benefit Specialists (VBS) are located statewide to provide benefits information and assistance to veterans and family members. For best results, DVMF encourages veterans and family members seeking information or assistance to work with an accredited DVMF VBS. Visit the service program or call 800-446-4926 ext. 6450 for information on benefits and service office locations.
Since October 1979, DVMF has been a repository for military separation discharge documents (DD 214). The Department receives only documents for Maryland residents who, at the time of discharge, elected to have a copy sent to DVMF. Contact the Service Program at 800-446-4926 or 410-230-4444 x 6450 to request copies. If a copy is not available, records can be requested by visiting The National Archives or by submitting Standard Form (SF 180) - PDF to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
USDVA Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime veterans. Veterans or surviving spouses who are eligible for USDVA pension and are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another person may be eligible for an additional monetary payment called Aid and Attendance.
Generally, a veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period (details) to qualify. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, you must generally have served at least 24 months or the full period called to active duty (with exceptions), plus one day during wartime. In addition to service, the veteran must be age 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, a patient in a nursing home receiving skilled care, receiving Social Security disability insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income.
I have questions about assisted living and skilled nursing care
The USDVA provides three levels of per diem to veterans who reside in a State Veterans Home:
Assisted Living Care – $62.20 per day (as of October 1, 2024).
Nursing Home Care – $144.10 per day (as of October 1, 2024).
VP1 (≥ 70% service-connected) – full cost of nursing home care (not for assisted living).
Yes. Private rooms are first assigned for medical necessity (e.g., isolation), then to residents who can pay. Medicaid covers a private room only if medically necessary.
Yes. Residents may wear personal clothing. Laundry can be handled by the Home or the family.
Yes. A non-veteran spouse may be eligible if the veteran spouse meets criteria. The non-veteran spouse is not eligible for USDVA per diem.
Yes. Daily transport to the DC VA Medical Center is free. Other appointments can be arranged, possibly for a fee.
Call the admissions coordinator at 301-884-8171 ext. 5111.
I have questions about Maryland burial benefits and memorials
The DVMF follows USDVA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) criteria. See the National Cemetery Administration site.
Maryland residents who completed Guard or Reserve service and their dependents may submit for interment in a state veterans cemetery. A fee equal to the annual plot allowance (NCA-set) covers labor, administration, marker/niche cover, casket liner, and perpetual care.
Daily gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 4:45 p.m. (extended to 8:00 p.m. on Memorial Day).
No. Services occur Monday–Friday every 45 minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
No. Chapels provide brief committal services (≤ 20 minutes). Families may view from the roadside.
Fresh flowers in metal or plastic containers are allowed anytime; glass is prohibited. Unsightly flowers/containers are removed. Artificial flowers and wreaths are allowed November 1–March 31; wreaths/seasonal displays December 1–January 31. Other times, decorations are removed. Potted plants/wreaths are allowed 10 days before and after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day only. Permanent plantings, statues, lights, glass, or religious items are prohibited. Read more on the policy.
DVMF does not schedule or provide honors. Survivors should request honors through the funeral director.
Sunrise to sunset.
Contact Jessica Mondowney at [email protected].
I have questions about financial assistance in times of hardship
No; the Fund is not for emergencies. Review takes ~4 weeks.
Help is for a set period (e.g., one month’s rent); after that the applicant must show they can pay on their own.
~4 weeks from application to committee review.
No.
Rent/mortgage and utilities. To learn more, contact DVMF at 410-260-3836
Other questions about veteran benefits and services in Maryland
100% disabled veterans (total/permanent) may get a full exemption on their home and yard. Certain surviving spouses also qualify. An application signed by USDVA verifying disability rating must go to the local tax assessment office. More about State Property Tax Exemptions.
Contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Scholarships include the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship and the Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship. Learn more here.
No; USDVA provides a one-time burial allowance ($300–$2,000). Eligibility requirements apply. Learn more at the USDVA Burial Compensation Site.
DVMF has no workforce services. Contact your local American Job Center for the USDOL Veteran Program: contact your closest American Job Center - PDF and ask for an LVER.
Contact the DVMF Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy Program at 410-260-3842 or 410-260-3840.