The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) announced that its mobile veterans outreach vans are available throughout the state to assist veterans in obtaining information and initiating benefit claim paperwork through the assistance of DMVA accredited veteran service officers.

The DMVA brings essential services directly to veterans and can be booked online for community events such as fairs and festivals. The vans offer no-cost, on-site assistance with veterans benefits.

The DMVA also staffs outreach teams throughout Pennsylvania communities that build relationships with veteran advocates and connect veterans in need of specific services with those advocates.

Over the past year, outreach efforts supported 190 events - including 35 by scheduling an outreach van - with nearly 4,000 veteran interactions. These teams also coordinate events with county directors of Veterans Affairs, veteran service organizations, and local and state officials to maximize awareness and attendance.

A wide range of federal, state, and county benefits are available to qualified veterans and their families. These benefits include service-connected disability compensation, pensions, Veterans Affairs health care benefits, burial benefits, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation, active service bonuses, and veterans homes long-term care.

For more details on how to request a van for a community event, visit http://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Miscellaneous/Pages/MobileVeteransOutreachVans.aspx. Information about DMVA by is also available at http://www.facebook.com/padmva or http://www.twitter.com/padmva.