The Veterans Service Officer has been trained to assist you and has been accredited by the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs and The American Legion.

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Veteran Services

Our Commitment: The Service Officer’s Code of Ethics

We are dedicated to serving all veterans with integrity, confidentiality, and respect.

1. Confidentiality

We keep the confidence of all veterans. Intimate details learned through military records or personal conversations remain strictly confidential and are shared only with those directly involved in the case.

2. Honesty in Claims

We assist veterans in preparing honest claims, presenting them in the strongest possible light while excluding any information known to be dishonest.

3. Professional Standards

We maintain the highest professional standards in our dealings with fellow service officers and counselors, never criticizing their work.

4. Non-Partisan Service

We are impartial among veterans’ organizations and serve every veteran equally—regardless of affiliation, race, or religion.

A Message to All Veterans, Their Dependents and Survivors

You may be eligible for VA benefits — contact us to learn more!

Compensation Benefits:

  1. Disability incurred during service that worsened
  2. Disease/condition treated in service that recurred

Pension Benefits:

  1. Disabled wartime veteran unable to work
  2. Veteran of any war
  3. Dependent parent of veteran killed in action
  4. Eligible widow of deceased wartime veteran

Educational/Medical Benefits:

  1. Spouse/parent 100% service-connected
  2. Spouse/parent died service-connected

Medical Care Eligibility:

  1. Cannot afford care (resource-dependent)
  2. Service-connected disability
  3. WW1 veteran, POW, Purple Heart

Services Provided

We assist veterans, dependents, and survivors with applications and claims for a wide range of federal and state benefits. Below is a sampling of the services we provide:

Compensation & Pension

  • Disability Compensation
  • Death Pension
  • Pension Benefits
  • Aid and Attendance
  • Housebound Benefits
  • Un-reimbursed Medical Expenses

Medical & Health

  • Medical Care
  • Hospital Care
  • Nursing Home Care
  • Domiciliary Care
  • Prosthetics
  • Rehabilitative Devices
  • Adaptive Equipment
  • Clothing Allowance

Family & Education

  • Children's Benefits
  • Dependent's Benefits
  • Widow's Benefits
  • Educational Benefits
  • Tutorial Assistance
  • Vocational Rehabilitation

Records & Appeals

  • Appeals
  • Lost Military Records
  • Military Discharge Review
  • Change of Address
  • Waivers

Housing & Financial

  • Housing Loans
  • Specially Adapted Housing
  • Homestead Tax Exemptions
  • Insurance
  • Travel Allowances

Special Recognition

  • DV Plates
  • POW Plates
  • Wheelchair Plates
  • Burial Benefits
  • State Identification Card
  • Employment Assistance

Additional Florida Veteran Benefits

Florida offers several additional benefits to honor and support veterans. Below is a summary of key state-level benefits:

Hunting & Fishing License

Permanent state license issued at no cost to residents who are permanently and totally disabled (certified by a physician or VA).

Veteran Identification Card

Issued upon request to permanent Florida residents with a VA-determined 100% service-connected disability rating.

Homestead Tax Exemption

$5,000 exemption for 10%+ service-connected disability. Additional discounts available for combat-related disabled veterans aged 65+.

Discharge Certification

Clerk of the Circuit Court records military discharge/separation certificates at no cost to the veteran.

Specialty License Plates

Disabled Veteran (DV), Prisoner of War (POW), and “Florida Salutes Veterans” plates available with proper documentation.

Employment & Occupational Benefits

Hiring preference in state positions; up to $50 exemption on occupational license taxes for disabled veterans.

VA Resources

Contact Us

Veterans Service

Office Hours

Monday-Friday
(8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.)

Contact Information

Phone: Main Office: (386) 758-3350
Fax: 386 243-8364

Email: rbeasley@columbiacountyfla.com

Location

1486 SW McFarlane Ave
Lake City, FL 32025 (opens in new window)

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 1529
Lake City, FL 32056

Public Records

Public records request policy and fees

Board of County Commissioners
Tel. (386) 758-1326
Fax: (386) 758-2182
Email: publicrecords@columbiacountyfla.com

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1529
Lake City, FL 32056-1529

Citizen Feedback

Let us know how we're doing

ADA Accessibility

Columbia County is committed to ensuring accessibility to this website regardless of disability. If anyone encounters a feature on this website that is inaccessible due to a disability, please contact the Columbia County ADA Coordinator at (386) 758-3344. You may also email that office at pweaver@columbiacountyfla.com and provide a brief description of the inaccessible feature.

Columbia County strives to provide reasonable accommodations to help people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in our public meetings. Please notify our ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting by calling (386) 758-3344.