Veterans Benefits

Veterans

A Veteran is an individual who:

  • Served in active military, naval, air, or space service;  or
  • Died while in service; or
  • Has a service-connected disability, and
  • Is separated from service under conditions other than dishonorable.

Note: An individual is not eligible for Veterans' Benefits if they are currently on active duty.

Veteran's Dependents

The following persons are considered to be a Veteran's dependents:

  • The spouse of the Veteran is:
    • Currently married or separated but not divorced.
    • Divorced but not remarried.
    • Legally married at the time of the Veteran's death.
    • Divorced from a Veteran and any subsequent marriage(s) were terminated before the Veteran's death.

    • Important: California is not a “common-law” state. An alleged spouse must produce a marriage certificate to support their claim. An alleged widow who does not have a marriage certificate must provide evidence that a marriage was established in a “common-law” state.

  • The parents of the Veteran.
  • Any natural or legally adopted child(ren) or stepchild(ren).

    • Important: An illegitimate child can be recognized as a dependent or surviving child of a Veteran only if the Veteran acknowledged paternity in writing or if paternity was established by a court order. In the case of a deceased Veteran, paternity can be established by secondary evidence. A referral to CVSO for assistance in developing secondary evidence should be completed.

County Veterans Services Office (CVSO)

The County Veterans Services Office (CVSO) provides information and assistance for filing Veterans Administration (VA) claims for compensation, hospitalization, pensions, and other benefits that may be available to applicants or recipients for public assistance.

Note: CVSO may also be referenced as the Veterans Services Office (VSO) or the Office of Veterans Services. 

 

The CVSO can assist with the following:

  • Disability Compensation Claims
  • Pension Claims
  • Special Monthly Compensation
  • Burial Benefits
  • Death Pension
  • Dependent's or Survivor's Benefits
  • Housebound, Aid and Attendance 
  • Appeal of Veterans Services Decisions
  • Health Care Enrollment Applications
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Applications
  • Education Benefits
  • State College Fee Waiver Program
  • Discharge Upgrades
  • Request for Military Records
  • DMV Veteran License Verification

CVSO Contact Information 

     Office of Veterans Services 
     68 N. Winchester Blvd.
     Santa Clara, CA 95050

     (408) 918-4980 or (408) 553-6016
     email: vets@vets.sccgov.org

     Website: Vets.santaclaracounty.gov/home

     Hours: 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm

Note: Hours may vary, and appointments are recommended.

Forms

Military Verification and Referral Form (MC 05)

The Military Verification and Referral Form (MC 05) must be completed to refer a Medi-Cal only case. Specific instructions for completing the MC 05 are on the back of the form. Section A of the form must be as complete as possible. The MC 05 does not require a signature. 

Veterans Benefits Verification and Referral (CW 5) Form

The Veterans Benefits Verification and Referral (CW 5) form must be used to refer all cases that are not Medi-Cal only cases.

Specific instructions for completing the CW 5 are on the back of the form. Section 1 of the form must be as complete as possible. The CW 5 requires a signature. 

Note: Disregard the "Distribution and Filing of the CW 5" portion of the instructions.

 

Eligibility Workers (EWs) are required to send the applicable MC 05 or the CW 5 referral forms to the CVSO at Intake, Re-evaluations (RE), or anytime a client provides information that indicates a connection to the military, or possible Veterans benefits. 

When completing the MC 05 or the CW 5, the following information, at a minimum, must be provided:

  • CalSAWS case number and Aid Code,
  • Veteran’s name (first and last),
  • The complete Veteran’s Social Security Number (SSN),
  • Branch of Service the veteran served under (dates of service are not required).

Reminder: The complete SSN must be entered and not just the last four digits. 

Referrals

Required Referrals

In the following situations, the EW must use the DEBS Referral App to email the MC 05 or the CW 5 to the CVSO:

  • At Intake, if the applicant indicates a connection with the military or potential Veteran's benefits.
  • At RE, if the client reports new information or a change in status that indicates possible eligibility for Veteran's benefits.
  • Any other time that additional information indicates possible Veteran benefits.

Referral NOT Required

A referral is not appropriate in the following circumstances:

  • The serviceperson is on active duty in the Armed Forces, or if their only service was in the Merchant Marine or National Guard.
  • The divorced spouse does not have the Veteran's legal dependent in their custody.
  • The veteran’s SSN and date of birth, Serial Number, or VA Claim Number are not available.
  • There is no legal relationship between the claimant and the Veteran, and it has been determined that paternity cannot be established.
  • The Veteran's Information (Section A) of the MC 05 or (Section 1) of the CW 5 cannot be completed.

Eligibility Worker (EW) Responsibility

The EW must take the following actions:

  1. Review with the applicant/recipient the question on the application that indicates a military connection or potential Veteran's benefits.
    1. When a referral is deemed inappropriate, document the reason on the Journal Detail page in CalSAWS. 
  2. Advise the applicant/recipient that exploration of potential income sources is a condition of eligibility.
  3. Complete the MC 05 or CW 5 referral and Image into the case record.
  4. Scan a copy of the MC 05 or CW 5 for emailing.
  5. Use the DEBS Referral App to generate an email referral directly to the CVSO at vets@vets.sccgov.org. Refer to the DEBS Referral App User Guide for general use instructions of the app if needed.
    1. Ensure all required fields in the Program Information, Client Information, and Agency Information sections are completed fully, and attach the MC 05 or CW 5 form.
    2. In the Program Information section, select: 
      1. A benefit program from the Program dropdown,
      2. Veterans Benefits from the Referral Type dropdown,
      3. CVSO from the Provider Name dropdown, and 
      4. Enter either "MC 05” or “CW 5 " in the Referral Comments field.
  6. Set a CalSAWS Reminder on the case for a 30-day follow-up, refer to Chewable Bytes CB 2024-98: How to Add a Reminder for system entries.
    1. If a response has not been received from the CVSO, call CVSO at (408) 918-4980 to request the status of the referral.
  7. Take appropriate action when the MC 05 or CW 5 is returned by the CVSO and have the returned MC 05 or CW 5 Imaged into the case record. 

    If...

    Then...

    The MC 05 or CW 5 is returned by CVSO, indicating a claim has been initiated,

    The EW must enter a CalSAWS Reminder in the case for a 90-day follow-up.

    If at the end of 90 days, a response has not been received indicating the disposition of the claim,

    The EW must contact the CVSO to determine what communication has been received from the VA regarding the claim, and 

    If... Then...
    CVSO has no information regarding the claim, Contact the client to determine if they have received a determination from the VA.
    Neither CVSO nor the client has received any information regarding the claim,  EW must enter a CalSAWS Reminder in the case for follow-up again in 30 days.

     

    1. Important: The above actions must be repeated until a decision has been received. 

  8. Once the decision on the claim has been received and verified by viewing the completed MC 05 or CW 5, document on the Journal Detail page of CalSAWS, and take appropriate action.