State Veterans Service Officers
Nature of work:
The State Veterans Service Officer advises local veterans and their dependents of their rights and entitlements under various federal and state laws, counsels them, and actively assists them by filling out necessary forms and papers and obtaining documents and affidavits.
Work is generated through inquiries concerning veterans’ benefits or through action of the service officer in seeking out those who need and may be entitled to assistance.
The work is complex and exacting due to the numerous state and federal laws involved and the regulations by which they are administered. These laws cover many and varied benefits including compensation, pension, insurance, death benefits, hospitalization and education.
State Veterans Service Officers act as POA in representing Veterans and their Dependants claims with the Federal VA in acquiring benefits.
These services are provided at no charge to the Veterans and their dependants.
Contact Information:
Fargo:
| Veterans Benefit Specialist: | Tom Sumers |
| Email: | Thomas.sumers@va.gov |
| VA Regional Office: | 2101 Elm St. Room 208, Fargo, ND 58102 |
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 9003, Fargo, ND 58106-9003 |
| Office Hours: | 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday |
| VA Regional Office Phone: | 701.451.4644 |
| VA Regional Office Fax: | 701.451.4671 |
| Accreditation: | AL, M.O.P.H., NCO Assn., ND DVA, V.V.A. |
| Training: | Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of Claims (T.R.I.P.) |
| Women Veterans' Coordinator: | Betty Helmer |
| Email: | Betty.helmer@va.gov or bhelmer@nd.gov |
| VA Regional Office: | 2101 Elm St. Room 208, Fargo, ND 58102 |
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 9003, Fargo, ND 58106-9003 |
| Office Hours: | 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday |
| VA Regional Office Phone: | 701.451.4645 |
| VA Regional Office Fax: | 701.451.4671 |
| Accreditation: | AL, AMVETS, DAV, M.O.P.H., NACVSO, NCO Assn., ND DVA, Ret. Enlisted, V.V.A. |
| Training: | Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of Claims (T.R.I.P.) |
Bismarck:
| Veterans Benefit Specialist: | Gene Kouba |
| Email: | gkouba@nd.gov |
| Addresse: | 1929 N Washington; PO Box 7184, Bismarck, ND 58507 |
| Office Hours: | 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday |
| Work Phone: | 701.328.5465 |
| Fax: | 701.328.5468 |
| Accreditation: | AL, ND DVA, Vets of WW I, V.V.A. |
| Training: | Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of Claims (T.R.I.P.) |
