How to Apply for Benefits
The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families’ Service and Benefits Program assists veterans, service members, and their families in understanding and applying for the benefits they have earned. Our VA-accredited Benefit Specialists provide knowledgeable, in-person support to eligible veterans, dependents, and survivors seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the State of Maryland, and other veteran-serving programs, helping ensure the application process is conducted clearly, accurately, and with appropriate support.
Before You Apply
If you already receive benefits, but just need to change your direct deposit information: The VA requires completion of an SF1199-A which can be found here - PDF .
It is recommended that you first speak to the VSO before you submit your online request.
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.
How to ApplyMake an appointment with a DVMF specialist:
Find a DVMF Service Office near you (see below) and call that office directly to make an appointment. Service Program offices are open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm, by appointment only.
During the appointment with the specialist, you can expect the following:
- 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)
DVMF Service Program Offices
The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families' Service Program Offices provide assistance from VA-accredited Benefits Services Specialists to veterans and their families with filing VA claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland as well as other agencies that provide benefits to Veterans or family members. The assistance provided is at no cost—veterans should never have to pay to access the benefits they earned through their service. Our accredited specialists work with the veteran/family to the USDVA, DOD, State of Maryland or other agencies that administer benefits to veterans/dependents or survivors. We will assist in guiding individuals through the claims process and advocate on their behalf. Veterans are encouraged to be cautious of individuals or organizations that charge fees or are not VA-accredited, by the USDVA. Oftentimes fees can be applied not only to a current claim but to any claims for increase that may arise in the future.
Baltimore: Regional Office
31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 3020
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phil Munley, Director
Stacy Travers, Chief, Veterans Appeals
Cardell Bass, Western Area Supervisor
Sharron Hall, Veterans Benefit Specialist II
Joeanne Johanson, Veterans Benefit Specialist II
Jeanie Paeng, Administrative Aide
800-446-4926, ext. 6450
800-446-4926, ext. 1 (office secretary)
410-230-4445 (fax)
Annapolis
Annapolis Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
160 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Kiana Hinton, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
410-573-4786 or 4787
Bel Air
Bel Air Service Center
Motor Vehicle Administration
501 W. Macphail Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
Michael Cantrell, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Jermaine Wesley, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
410-638-6501 (benefits specialist)
410-638-638-6507 (office secretary)
410-683-6549 (fax)
Capitol Heights
Prince George’s County Health and Human Service Headquarters
9187 Central Avenue
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Corey Bryant, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
301-248-0463
Carroll County Veterans Services Program
125 Stoner Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
(Supported by, but not DVMF service office)
410-386-3800
(Call for information on hours)
Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
29449 Charlotte Hall Rd., Bldg. 3, Room 105
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Aaron Awkward, Eastern Area Supervisor
Yvette Carey, Office Secretary II
240-249-0474
Cumberland
Cumberland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
13300 Winchester Road, SW
Cumberland, MD 21502
Aaron Clark, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
301-729-4676
Easton
11 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD 21601
(physical address)
P.O. Box 1148
Easton, MD 21601
(mailing address)
Ashley Lahm, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
410-690-7181
Elkton
105 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite A
Elkton, MD 21921
James Wilkes, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
667-225-6870
Frederick
Veterans Service Center
1750 Monocacy Blvd
Frederick, MD 21701 David Skisano, Veterans Benefits Specialist Advanced
Patrice Saavedra, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
240-651-8896
Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
15 Metropolitan Grove Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Christina Williams, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
301-987-8412
301-987-8413
301-987-8496 (fax)
Glen Burnie
Glen Burnie Service Center, Building A, Ground Floor
Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Antione Strange, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
Jynell Proctor, Office Secretary III
410-424-3039
410-424-3047 (fax)
Hagerstown
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Service Center
18306 Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Andrea Jones, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
240-527-6894
240-527-6893 (fax)
Laurel
Howard County Multi-Service Center
9900 Washington Blvd., Suite I
Laurel, MD 20723
Katherine Perkins, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
410-313-0229
Rosedale
VA Eastern Baltimore County
Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Franklin Square Professional Center
5235 King Avenue, Suite 200
Rosedale, MD 21237 Debra Hynes, Veterans Benefits Specialist
410-804-6053
(Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, excluding federal holidays)
Salisbury
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Salisbury Branch
251 Tilghman Road
Salisbury, MD 21804 Jodi Satterfield, Veterans Benefits Specialist II
410-219-7256
410-219-7257 (fax)
Waldorf
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
11 Industrial Park Drive
Waldorf, MD 20602
Vanessa Roberts, Veterans Benefits Specialist
301-632-5784
301-632-5785 (fax)