Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

Representing the 1st District of Maine

Help for Veterans

Learn more about legislation concerning veterans

I am honored to represent a state with so many veterans who have served our country bravely. I think it's our responsibility to take care of those who have taken care of us. Please call my Portland office at (207) 774-5019 if you have questions or concerns about the benefits you've earned, including assistance with VA claims, VA health care, and replacement military medals and awards.

chellie sig

Jobs | MST | GI Bill | Benefits | Healthcare | Readjustment Support | Memorials |Long-term Care | Legal Assistance | Financial Assistance | Veteran Homelessness

 

Jobs

The VA, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of Education have created an integrated online job board where veterans can search for openings that fit their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).  Other resources on the site include access to career counseling and a resume builder. Go here for the Veterans Employment Center.

US Department of Labor Employment Workshop Participant Guide

Military Sexual Trauma

Go here for a list of resources and organizations who offer assistance to MST survivors

GI Bill

Find out more about applying for education funding through the GI Bill.

Veterans Benefits

Togus VA Maine Medical/Regional Office Center
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a variety of services and benefits to honorably discharged Veterans of the U. S. Military and their Dependents. Go hereto find the nearest VA facility to inquire about their Veterans benefits or health care services.

Health care

Augusta: VA Maine Healthcare System-Togus
Togus is a 67-operating bed facility with general medical, surgical, intermediate and mental health beds, as well as a 100-bed Nursing Home consisting of 50 Skilled and Longer Stay beds, and a 50-bed Dementia Unit. The oldest veterans' facility in the country, having opened in the fall of 1866, Togus is located five miles east of Augusta.

Community Based Outpatient Clinics
In addition to its main facility, the VA offers services in six community-based outpatient clinics in Maine.
Bangor: Bangor Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Calais: Calais Outpatient Clinic
Caribou: Aroostook County (Caribou) Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Lincoln: Lincoln Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Rumford: Rumford Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Saco: Saco Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Mental Health

The VA operates two mental health clinics in Maine.
Houlton: Houlton Satellite Clinic
Portland: Portland Mental Health Clinic

Readjustment Support

Vet Centers offer a wide range of services to help veterans and their families make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Services include individual and group counseling, marital and family counseling, bereavement counseling, medical and benefits referrals, and employment counseling

Bangor: Bangor Vet Center
Caribou: Caribou Mobile Vet Center
Caribou: Caribou Vet Center
Lewiston: Lewiston Mobile Vet Center
Lewiston: Lewiston Vet Center
Portland: Portland Vet Center
Springvale: Sanford Vet Center

State Programs

Bureau of Maine Veterans Services
Offices in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Machias, Portland, Springvale, Waterville, andTogus
Maine Veterans' Services is a state agency established in 1947 to ensure Maine veterans and families receive all entitlements they are due, offer support during times of financial hardship, and provide educational opportunities.

Veterans Memorial Services

Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System
Part of Maine Veterans' Services, the system has three cemeteries: in Augusta, Caribou, and Springvale.

Military Funeral Honors Program
The Maine Military Funeral Honors Program was established in 2003 in support of the great need to provide honors for Maine's Veterans. For more information or to request Military Funeral Honors, please visit their website atwww.funeralhonors.org.

Togus National Cemetery
Togus National Cemetery is located in Kennebec County, in the town of Chelsea, on the grounds of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center.

The Summit Project
The Summit Project is a living memorial that pays tribute to every fallen service member from Maine who died in the line of duty since September 11, 2001. Volunteers hike stones that represent each of the fallen up mountains in Maine.  Family members gather the stones from significant places in the veterans' lives.  Find more information at mainememorial.org or by email.

The Summit Project is a living memorial that pays tribute to every fallen service member from Maine who died in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.   Volunteers will hike stones that represent each of the fallen up mountains in Maine beginning with Mt. Katahdin over Memorial Day weekend 2014.
 
Collecting memorial stones that honor our fallen Maine heroes is one of the primary missions of The Summit Project.  

Longterm Care

Maine veterans homes 
Dedicated to caring for those who served, the Maine Veterans’ Homes operates 640 beds in six facilities across the state, providing a continuum of care and support services for residents and families.

Legal Assistance

Pine Tree Legal is a nonprofit organization providing free legal counseling to Maine veterans.

Stateside Legal helps veterans access benefits, connect with legal resources, and with legal questions.

Financial Assistance

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau offers financial management resources to veterans and their families, information about veterans-specific laws and programs, and help with problem lenders. Go here to file a complaint.

Veteran Homelessness

Preble Street Resource Center runs programs in York County, Cumberland County, and Bath to support homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless.  For more information, call 207-956-6556 or 1-800-377-5709.