Veteran’s Affairs

Location: 537 Lafayette Circle
Phone: (843) 545-3330
Fax: (843) 545-3312
Email: Veteran´s Affairs
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, Closed 12:00 – 1:00 for lunch
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 421270, Georgetown, SC 29442-1270
Point of Contact: Natrenah Smith

Department Functions:

To assist veterans and their dependents in filing applications to determine their basic eligibility and conditions of benefits entitlement as administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes research, preparation, development, presentation and prosecution of claims submitted to the VA Regional Office in Columbia, SC or the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C. Though state-mandated, the local VA Office is County-funded. Additional services include benefits counseling, Veterans assistance and dependents assistance

• Helps veterans file applications for the review of discharge or the correction of military records
• Coordinates with other local and state agencies to render advice and assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors
• Visits VA hospitals and nursing homes as well as veterans’ homes to explain where to go and who to contact when applying for pension or benefit entitlement
• Assists in filing annuity applications for surviving spouses of military and civil service retirees
• Provides veterans with information about how to obtain a VA home loan
• Has applications for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility which is required to secure a VA Home Loan Guarantee
• Provides veterans and their dependents with information about education benefits
• Schedules hospital appointment/assist in re-ordering prescriptions
• Schedules transportation to VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC for appointments and compensation & pension (C&P) examination


The Office does not:

Disburse funds, determine eligibility or entitlement, assist in distribution of benefit claims for estranged or separated spouses, or provide job placement.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How is my eligibility for benefits determined?
A: The V.A. Office will assist veterans in filing a claim to determine eligibility based on individual circumstances, including time in service, degree of disability and, in some cases, annual income.

Q: How long will it take to process my claim?
A: The VA Regional Office in Columbia, SC processes claims in an average of 60-120 days.

Common Terms:


1. SBP (Survivor Benefits Plan) – This is a monthly source of spousal income provided in return for reduced retirement benefits.
2. DD214 – This form is a military separation paper issued to veterans after 1949.
3. Dependents – This includes spouses, children and certain parents of veterans.
4. Entitlement Program – This government program guarantees and provides benefits to a particular group.

History:

On March 22, 1945, the S.C. General Assembly adopted a bill creating a VA Office in each of the 46 counties in South Carolina. This office has records of service men and women dating back to the 1920’s and the Spanish-American War. The Georgetown County VA has records of more than 12,800 veterans.

Department of Veterans Affairs:

VA Website:

VA Regional Office: 1801 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 800-827-1000

VA Medical Center: 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29403
1-888-878-6884

Myrtle Beach Primary Care Clinic: 3381 Phillis Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 477-0177

Florence VA Primary Care Clinic:
Professional Office Bldg. 3, 514 H Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29501
(843) 292-8383

VA Medical Center:
Wm Jennings Bryan Dorn, Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29201
(843) 776-4000