- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Eglin AFB
State veterans service officer site; statewide access is available through FDVA.
100 Veterans Way, Room 108, Eglin AFB, FL 32542Hours are not confirmed. Contact the provider before planning a visit.
Local help and county facts
Okaloosa County, FL Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address
Find veterans benefits contacts serving Okaloosa County, Florida. Compare the listed providers and contact an office directly.
If you live in Okaloosa County, free claims help is available from accredited VSO representatives at FDVA State Veterans Service Officer Site - Eglin AFB, Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Crestview, and Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Shalimar. Call ahead to confirm appointments, hours, and service location before traveling. For Crestview, call the main office; for Shalimar, follow the published schedule and confirm appointment availability. The Okaloosa County Vet Center in Shalimar is 12 miles away, and Eglin Air Force Base VA Clinic is 11 miles away; these are straight-line distances from the county center, not driving distances. AMVETS also offers free remote claims assistance without requiring membership. PVA and FDVA provide referrals or routing to a service officer, not direct claims representation. The largest veteran group served in post-9/11 and Gulf War (1990s); PACT Act exposure questions depend on where and when you served.
Offices for Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Crestview
County veterans services
- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Crestview
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the office for an appointment and ask what to bring.
302 N. Wilson St., Ste 301, Crestview, FL 32536Tuesday only.
Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Shalimar
County veterans services
- Type of help
- Claims assistance
- Location
- Shalimar
County veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the office for an appointment and ask what to bring.
1250 N Eglin Parkway, Ste. 302, Shalimar, FL 32579Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m.
For statewide phone and remote help, see the Florida directory.
Getting help in Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Shalimar: Follow the published schedule and call the office to confirm appointment availability. Okaloosa County Veterans Services - Crestview: Call the main office for appointments. Confirm the service location, hours and appointment with the provider before traveling.
County Veterans Service Officers Directory (opens in a new tab) · Okaloosa County Veterans Services (opens in a new tab)
Office closed right now?
Call the Claim Raven 24-hour VSO prep line to get your records ready before your appointment. Claim Raven is not a VSO office. Your VSO's number is listed above.
Call (833) 387-1649Veterans in Okaloosa County
The ACS estimates about 31,500, give or take 1,350 civilian veterans in Okaloosa County.
By ACS estimates, Okaloosa County has the 18th largest veteran population among Florida's 67 counties and equivalents.
| Measure | Okaloosa County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share with a service-connected rating | 49 percent above the Florida share; above the national share. | 31 percent | 30 percent |
| Share rated 70 percent or higher | 21 percent above the Florida share; above the national share. | 14 percent | 13 percent |
Okaloosa County has about 4,430, give or take 285 veterans 75 and older, making up 14 percent of its veterans compared with 30 percent in Florida.
Veterans under 35 in Okaloosa County number about 3,120, give or take 503; their 10 percent share is above Florida's 7 percent.
Women veterans in Okaloosa County number about 6,000, give or take 689; their 19 percent share is above Florida's 11 percent.
Income, work and education in Okaloosa County
| Measure | Okaloosa County | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income | $69,814 ± $3,904 | $52,753 ± $469 | $54,224 ± $147 |
| Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income | $35,677 ± $798 | $36,879 ± $115 | $41,154 ± $99 |
| Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over | 4.7% ± 1.0 points | 7.6% ± 0.2 points | 7.4% ± 0.1 points |
| Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over | 26.0% ± 2.1 points | 31.0% ± 0.3 points | 30.7% ± 0.1 points |
| Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64 | 75.9% ± 2.8 points | 71.2% ± 0.5 points | 73.9% ± 0.2 points |
| Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64 | 2.1% ± 1.1 points; small survey sample; treat as rough | Not compared | Not compared |
| Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over | 98.5% ± 0.5 points | 95.9% ± 0.2 points | 95.5% ± 0.1 points |
| Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over | 42.4% ± 2.5 points | 35.0% ± 0.4 points | 31.8% ± 0.2 points |
Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.
VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035: about 35,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 37,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in Okaloosa County
VA reports 20,103 veterans in Okaloosa County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
| Rating group | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 0 to 20 percent | 3,402 |
| 30 to 40 percent | 2,057 |
| 50 to 60 percent | 2,222 |
| 70 to 90 percent | 5,659 |
| 100 percent | 6,763 |
FY2019: 15,469 recipients. Change to FY2025: +4,634.
VA does not publish some small counts. Those show as “Not published.” VA county compensation data (opens in a new tab).
VA home loans in Okaloosa County
In 2025, lenders reported 2,420 VA-backed home loans out of 5,596 home loans made in Okaloosa County (43.3% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
Average VA loan amount reported: about $391,000.
The 2026 FHFA one-unit county loan limit here is $832,750. This limit matters for a VA loan only when part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan. VA explains remaining entitlement and loan limits (opens in a new tab).
When they served
The largest reported service groups are post-9/11 and Gulf War (1990s) (about 7,710, give or take 814) and post-9/11 only (about 6,370, give or take 719).
For questions about post-9/11 exposure rules, read the PACT Act guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.
VA money in Okaloosa County
VA reported about $578.7 million in compensation and pension spending and about $124.5 million in medical care spending in Okaloosa County for FY2025.
Nearest VA locations
VA medical center
Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery (opens in a new tab)
215 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36109-3725
New-patient wait for mental health: 20 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
about 124 miles in a straight line from the county center.
VA clinic
Eglin Air Force Base VA Clinic (opens in a new tab)
100 Veterans Way, Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32542-1038
New-patient wait for mental health: 17 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
New-patient wait for primary care: 66 days (VA, as of October 1, 2026).
about 11 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Vet Center
Okaloosa County Vet Center (opens in a new tab)
6 11th Avenue, Suite G-1, Shalimar, FL 32579
about 12 miles in a straight line from the county center.
VA regional benefit office
Montgomery VA Regional Benefit Office (opens in a new tab)
345 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36109
about 123 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Call to confirm hours before you go.
Outside Florida, in Tuskegee, AL, Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Tuskegee (opens in a new tab) is Okaloosa County's second-nearest medical center, about 136 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The second-nearest Vet Center to Okaloosa County is Pensacola Mobile Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Pensacola, FL, about 43 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The state registry lists St. Petersburg RO (station 317); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.
Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes
Nearest open VA national cemetery
Barrancas National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
John Tower Road Pensacola, FL 32508
850-453-4108
About 45.2 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.
Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery
Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort (opens in a new tab)
34904 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL 36527
251-625-1338
About 78.1 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.
This cemetery is in another state. State veterans cemeteries set their own eligibility rules, which can include residency in that state.
National Cemetery Administration lists checked October 2, 2026. Cemetery coverage and distance method.
Cleanup and former military sites in Okaloosa County
Formerly Used Defense Sites
- EGLIN AFB (FEE) (opens in a new tab)
- EGLIN AFB (LEASED) (opens in a new tab)
- EGLIN AFB (PD) (opens in a new tab)
- EGLIN FIELD MX-544 (opens in a new tab)
- GALLIVIER MISSILE TRACKING ANNEX (opens in a new tab)
More former defense sites (4)
Military branch is not listed in the USACE FY2024 property data.
These lists use site points within county boundaries. A site may extend into another county.
For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.
Veterans experiencing homelessness
On one night in January 2024, Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa, Walton Counties CoC counted 29 veterans experiencing homelessness (15 sheltered, 14 unsheltered).
FL-505 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid).
The HUD workbook reports 21 veterans for the 2019 comparison.
This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.
If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.
Your nearest VA medical center by straight-line distance is Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery (opens in a new tab), 334-272-4670. Ask for the homeless coordinator.
Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Okaloosa County
- United Way of Central Alabama: 1-866-460-3827
VA's FY2026 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) intake list names these providers. About VA SSVF (opens in a new tab).
Veterans treatment courts in Okaloosa County
The National Treatment Court Resource Center lists 1 veterans treatment court in Okaloosa County as of December 31, 2025.
These courts connect participating veterans involved in the justice system with treatment and support. Each court sets its own eligibility rules. National Treatment Court Resource Center maps (opens in a new tab).
Cities and towns in Okaloosa County
- Crestview (city): about 28,773 residents
- Wright (unincorporated community): about 27,927 residents
- Fort Walton Beach (city): about 21,025 residents
- Niceville (city): about 16,544 residents
- Destin (city): about 14,077 residents
More places (9)
- Lake Lorraine (unincorporated community): about 6,903 residents
- Ocean City (unincorporated community): about 5,941 residents
- Valparaiso (city): about 4,885 residents
- Mary Esther (city): about 4,061 residents
- Hurlburt Field (unincorporated community): about 2,951 residents
- Eglin AFB (unincorporated community): about 2,778 residents
- Shalimar (town): about 885 residents
- Cinco Bayou (town): about 609 residents
- Laurel Hill (city): about 355 residents
Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.
Free tools and help
- VA disability calculator
- Back pay calculator
- Florida veteran benefits
- Claims guide
- Presumptive conditions
- Condition guides
For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1. VA crisis support (opens in a new tab)
Florida benefits
Qualifying Florida veterans with at least 10 percent disability may receive a $5,000 assessed value reduction.
Florida offers scholarships to eligible children and spouses of veterans with a 100 percent permanent and total service-connected disability.
Get ready for your appointment
- Your DD-214 or other discharge papers
- Any VA decision letters you have received
- Medical records you want to discuss
Starting a new claim? Ask about an intent to file
Ask the office about VA Form 21-0966 to preserve a potential benefits start date while gathering evidence. Check your intent to file deadline.
Search or filter Florida listings
Nearby counties
Sources and method
ACS 2020-2024; VA FY2025; geography/locations/benefits 2026; adjacency 2024. Distances: straight line from county center. The summary paragraph was drafted by AI from the facts on this page and checked automatically against them. Full method.
VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Okaloosa County
Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.
Are you William Simmonds? Update your details and see your referral activity.
Claim this profile, freeJelani Berry
Attorney · Crestview · FL · In your county
Are you Jelani Berry? Update your details and see your referral activity.
Claim this profile, freeStephanie Clark
Attorney · Niceville · FL · In your county
Are you Stephanie Clark? Update your details and see your referral activity.
Claim this profile, freeMatthew Ausley
Attorney · Crestview · FL · In your county
Are you Matthew Ausley? Update your details and see your referral activity.
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Are you Albion Giordano? Update your details and see your referral activity.
Claim this profile, freeVA-accredited attorneys in Florida
Claim Raven is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney or claims agent. Listings come from VA's public accreditation records. Paid placements are advertising. Check an attorney's accreditation on VA's accreditation search (opens in a new tab) before you hire them.
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