Do you need to apply for VA benefits? What to know before you file.

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families Service and Benefits Program provides assistance to the men and women who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States, 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. In FY24, DVMF had a 95% approval rating for claims presented to the VA on behalf of veterans and family members. All of our veteran benefits specialists are accredited by the VA.

WHAT DOES VA ACCREDITED MEAN?
The Department of Veterans & Military Families (VA) accredits three types of representatives—Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, attorneys, and agents—to help ensure that claimants have access to responsible and qualified representation on their VA benefits claims.

The VA Office of General Counsel maintains a list of VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals that are authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.

Learn more about VA accredited representatives, attorneys, and agents, here.

IS THERE A COST FOR ASSISTANCE?
It is important to know that VA-recognized VSOs, and their representatives, always provide their services on benefit claims free-of-charge. Unlike VSOs, VA-accredited attorneys and agents may charge you a fee for their representation in appealing or requesting additional review of an adverse VA decision. Only VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge you fees for assisting in a claim for VA benefits, and only after VA has issued an initial decision on the claim and they have complied with the power-of-attorney and the fee agreement requirements.

DVMF veterans benefits specialists DO NOT CHARGE for services.

It is recommended that you first speak to the VSO before you submit your online request. Read more below on how to contact DVMF veterans benefits specialist who can assist and answer questions.

What can I expect when I meet with DVMF veterans benefits specialist?

Military separation discharge document review
VA system review: Healthcare, Benefits, and Cemeteries
DVMF programs review: Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and Cemeteries
Disability compensation/pension claim submission (if discharge paperwork supports the claim)

If a claim is submitted, what to expect next:

Claim processing tracking
Additional claim development (if needed)
Decision review and explanation of benefits

Are you already receiving VA benefits but need to change your direct deposit information? The VA requires completion of an SF1199-A which can be found here.

Unless otherwise noted, all DVMF Service Program offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00, by appointment only. Please call an office near you to schedule an appointment in advance of visiting.

Baltimore: Regional Office

Phil Munley, Director
Gerry Taylor, Deputy Director
Stacy Travers, Chief, Veterans Appeals
Cardell Bass, Western Area Supervisor
Sharron Hall, Veterans Benefit Specialist II
Jeanie Paeng, Administrative Aide
31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 3020
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-446-4926, ext. 6450
800-446-4926, ext. 1 (office secretary)
Fax: 410-230-4445

Baltimore VA Medical Center (Monday and Friday, 9:00-3:00)

Vacant, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
VA Maryland Healthcare System
10 North Greene Street, 6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-299-0304

Bel Air

Michael Cantrell, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Jermaine Wesley, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Motor Vehicle Administration
Bel Air Service Center
501 W. Macphail Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-638-6501 (benefits specialist)
410-638-638-6507 (office secretary)
410-683-6549 (fax)

Camp Springs

Vanessa Roberts, Benefits Specialist II
Corey Bryant, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Mikele Moses-El, Office Secretary III
Harriet Hunter Building, 6420 Allentown Road
Camp Springs, MD 20748
301-248-0463

Carroll County Veterans Services Program (Supported by, but not DVMF service office): Call for information on hours

125 Stoner Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
410-386-3800

Charlotte Hall

Aaron Awkward, Veterans Benefits Specialist
Yvette Carey, Office Secretary III

29449 Charlotte Hall Rd., Bldg. 3, Room 105
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
240-249-0474

Cumberland

Aaron Clark, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Cumberland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
13300 Winchester Road, SW
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-729-4676

Easton

Ashley Lahm, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
11 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD 21601 (physical address)
P.O. Box 1148
Easton, MD 21601 (mailing address)
410-690-7181

Elkton

James Wilkes, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Elkton Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
105 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite A
Elkton, MD 21921
667-225-6870

Frederick

David Skisano, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Patrice Saavedra, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Veterans Service Center
1750 Monocacy Blvd
Frederick, MD 21701
240-651-8896

Gaithersburg

Christina Williams, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Gaithersburg Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
15 Metropolitan Grove Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-987-8412/301-987-8413
(Fax) 301-987-8496

Glen Burnie

Kiana Hinton, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Antione Strange, Veterans Benefits Specialist II

Jynell Proctor, Office Secretary III

Motor Vehicle Administration
Glen Burnie Service Center, Building A, Ground Floor
6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
410-424-3039
410-424-3047 (fax)

Hagerstown

Andrea Jones, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
240-527-6894
FAX: 240-527-6893

Laurel

Katherine Perkins, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Howard County Multi-Service Center
9900 Washington Blvd., Suite I
Laurel, MD 20723
410-313-0229

Rosedale (Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, excluding federal holidays)

Debra Hynes, Veterans Benefits Specialist
VA Eastern Baltimore County
Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Franklin Square Professional Center
5235 King Avenue, Suite 200
Rosedale, MD 21237
410-804-6053

Salisbury

Jodi Satterfield, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Salisbury Branch
251 Tilghman Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
(O) 410-219-7256 (voice mail is monitored)
(F) 410-219-7257

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data shows that veterans represented by accredited organizations receive significantly greater disability benefits than their non-represented counterparts. To read more about VA benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration website for fact sheets and benefit brochures. Still have questions? Contact a Veterans Benefits Specialist for assistance. See below for service office locations.