The County Veterans Services Office is an office established by the Butte County Board of Supervisors to assist veterans, their dependents and survivors, and the general public in obtaining benefits from federal, state, and local agencies administering programs for veterans. 

We are a county agency and NOT the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Purpose We provide advocacy to the veteran community regarding entitlement rights to federal, state and local benefit programs. 

**Filing your claim through the Butte County Veterans Service Office will greatly improve your chances for a successful, well-documented, claim to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. County Veteran Service Officers and Representatives are certified, skilled professionals trained in developing veterans' claims for benefits by reviewing and applying relevant legislation, current law, protocols and important medical evidence.

2022 Butte County Stand Down

The 2022 Butte County Stand Down is coming soon.

WHERE: Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Ave
WHEN: ONLY during the following times (There is no sleep-over.):

Thursday, September 29, 11 AM – 4 PM
Friday, September 30, 11 AM – 4 PM
Saturday, October 1, 11 AM – 2 PM

WHO: The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 582, is pleased to sponsor the 2022 Veterans Stand Down. This is a collaborative effort by many nonprofits, government, service provider agencies, and volunteers.

During this 3-day event, United States Military Veterans receive guidance on services and resources they may be eligible for, gear, and a hot meal. Information regarding housing, Assistive Technology, counseling, health care, and more is shared. The primary focus is to provide resources for veterans experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless, and veterans facing food insecurity. Last year’s event served nearly 200 veterans.

This year, there is an additional opportunity for Veterans (especially aged 60+) to participate in a one-time Listening Session and share their opinion regarding Housing, Transportation, and Health Care in our rural communities. The nonprofit session, sponsored by the Disability Action Center (DAC), www.actionctr.org, in partnership with The SCAN Foundation is scheduled Friday, September 30, 2022, 11:30 AM at the event.

Registration for service providers and volunteers is open at the nongovernment website: www.buttecountystanddown.org through Sunday, September 25. Volunteers need not be Veterans. Veterans planning to participate will register at the event the day they attend.

Ron Matheson, VVA Chapter 582 President and Chair of last year’s Stand Down states, “If we get one Veteran off the streets and into housing, or a Veteran thinking of Suicide scheduled to see Mental Health Professionals, then it is another success story.”

For attendees:

Attendees must be Veterans of the US Military and may be accompanied by a spouse or caregiver.  Proof of Veteran status in the form of a VA medical card, or photo ID with DD-214, is helpful.  If an attendee does not have a VA medical card or DD-214, providers will be available to check proof of status.

Transportation to and from the event throughout Butte County is available. B-line bus #7 stops in front of the Elks Lodge. The # 4 stops at close walking distance. A finalized schedule will be posted to the website closer to the event. Please leave your name and contact phone number with DAC at (530) 715-5366 to receive a call from Stand Down coordinators.

For questions, E-mail: info@buttecountystanddown.org

Services and Programs

• Comprehensive benefit counseling
• Claim Preparation, submission and tracking
• Requesting discharge documents (DD214)
• California College Tuition Fee Waiver
• Information and referral for: Employment, Public Assistance, VA Medical Care, Benefits, Education, and Housing
• Butte County Veteran ID Card Program

Additional Services

We can assist you with the following:

• Compensation (disability) claims
• Pensions (Veterans Administration)
• Pensions (NSC Pension Description & Orientation Instructions)
• Dependency Indemnity Compensation
• Aid and Attendance
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Home loans (VA)
• Home loans (CAL-VET)
• Education benefits (GI Bill)
• Education benefits (CDVA Dependent Fee Waiver)
• Life Insurance
• Requests for military records and decorations
• Discharge upgrade and records corrections
• State Veterans Homes
• Burial benefits
• CHAMPVA
• List of resources for Veterans with phone numbers and web links
• Any questions you may have concerning your benefits as a veteran or veteran's dependent
• Problems with alcohol or drugs
• Suicide
• Group therapy and peer support  
•  Assisted Living

It is important to have documentation and vital information available for your VA claims. The following is a simple checklist for gathering appropriate documents for your claim:

• Discharge papers (DD214)
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Birth certificates for dependents
• Social Security documents
• Death certificates

The Butte County Veteran Service Office assists the Butte County sheriff's office and Northwest ASPCA with the Sheriffs 'second Chance Canine Companions For Veterans Program'.  The 'Second Chance Canine Companions for Veterans' is a dog rescue and rehabilitation program designed to improve the lives of those in custody, who will train and care for the canines, and for the Veterans who will later adopt the dogs.  Dogs are specifically picked from the animal shelter to be trained under the guidance of a certified dog handler/trainer for a 10+ week program to then be given to veterans as companion animals.

If you are a veteran and would like to apply to adopt a free companion dog, please contact the Butte County Veteran Service Office at 530-552-6608 or email vso@buttecounty.net

Connect with Veterans Services Office

We are located in the Butte Community Employment Center - Chico