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Porter County, IN Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address

Find veterans benefits contacts for Porter County, Indiana.

Offices for Porter County

Porter County Veterans Service Office - Valparaiso

Porter County Veterans Service Office

Type of help
Benefits and claims assistance
Location
Valparaiso

Veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the provider to arrange help and confirm what to bring.

Area served: Porter County. Physical office: Valparaiso, Porter County.

Administrative Building, 155 Indiana, Suite 109, Valparaiso, IN 46383-5513

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Type of help
Benefits and claims assistance
Location
Portage

Veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the provider to arrange help and confirm what to bring.

Area served: Porter County. Physical office: Portage, Porter County.

Porter County North County Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Dr., Room 150, Portage, IN 46368

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Other offices serving Porter County

Northwest District Service Officer

Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Type of help
Benefits and claims assistance
Location
Indiana

Veterans benefits and claims assistance. Contact the provider to arrange help and confirm what to bring.

Area served: Benton County, Carroll County, Cass County, Elkhart County, Fulton County, Jasper County, Kosciusko County, LaPorte County, Lake County, Marshall County, Newton County, Porter County, Pulaski County, St. Joseph County, Starke County, Tippecanoe County, White County.

Hours are not confirmed. Contact the provider before planning a visit.

For statewide phone and remote help, see the Indiana directory.

Getting help in Porter County

Contact the listed county or regional service for benefits assistance. Confirm the appointment, eligibility and meeting location with the provider.

Official service information (opens in a new tab) · Official service information (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) 387-1649

Veterans in Porter County

The ACS estimates about 8,160, give or take 532 civilian veterans in Porter County.

By ACS estimates, Porter County has the 8th largest veteran population among Indiana's 92 counties and equivalents.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasurePorter CountyIndianaUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating18 percent

below the Indiana share; below the national share.

27 percent30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher6 percent

below the Indiana share; below the national share.

9 percent13 percent

Veterans 75 and older in Porter County number about 2,590, give or take 254; their 32 percent share is above Indiana's 26 percent.

Porter County has about 398, give or take 160 veterans under 35, making up 5 percent of its veterans compared with 7 percent in Indiana.

Porter County has about 559, give or take 185 women veterans, making up 7 percent of its veterans compared with 8 percent in Indiana.

Income, work and education in Porter County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasurePorter CountyIndianaUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$54,676 ± $5,882$48,849 ± $522$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$43,625 ± $1,076$39,059 ± $236$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over4.5% ± 1.6 points7.0% ± 0.3 points7.4% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over23.3% ± 2.8 points31.6% ± 0.6 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6480.4% ± 4.1 points75.7% ± 0.9 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 643.4% ± 3.5 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over94.2% ± 1.7 points94.7% ± 0.3 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over22.8% ± 3.8 points22.3% ± 0.6 points31.8% ± 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 slightly fewer veterans here by 2035; both years round to about 9,000. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Porter County

VA reports 2,781 veterans in Porter County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent627
30 to 40 percent292
50 to 60 percent302
70 to 90 percent874
100 percent686

FY2019: 1,785 recipients. Change to FY2025: +996.

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 Porter County

In 2025, lenders reported 307 VA-backed home loans out of 4,710 home loans made in Porter County (6.5% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $351,000.

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).

HMDA 2025 and FHFA 2026 sources.

When they served

The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 2,710, give or take 343) and Gulf War (1990s) only (about 1,380, give or take 320).

For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.

VA money in Porter County

VA reported about $70.5 million in compensation and pension spending and about $46.0 million in medical care spending in Porter County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

Outside Indiana, in Hines, IL, Edward Hines Junior Hospital (opens in a new tab) is Porter County's second-nearest medical center, about 46 miles in a straight line from the county center.

Outside Indiana, in Richton Park, IL, Richton Park Vet Center (opens in a new tab) is Porter County's second-nearest Vet Center, about 34 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The state registry lists Indianapolis RO (station 326); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.

Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes

Nearest open VA national cemetery

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
20953 W Hoff Road Elwood, IL 60421
815-423-9958

About 55.1 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery

Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
1415 North Gate Rd Madison, IN 47250
812-273-9220

About 209.9 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

State veterans cemeteries set their own eligibility rules.

National Cemetery Administration lists checked October 2, 2026. Cemetery coverage and distance method.

Cleanup and former military sites in Porter County

Formerly Used Defense Sites

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, Indiana Balance of State CoC counted 252 veterans experiencing homelessness (200 sheltered, 52 unsheltered).

IN-502 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.

The HUD workbook reports 303 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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 312-569-8387. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Porter County

VA's FY2026 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) intake list names these providers. About VA SSVF (opens in a new tab).

VA homeless programs (opens in a new tab)

Veterans treatment courts in Porter County

The National Treatment Court Resource Center lists 1 veterans treatment court in Porter 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 Porter County

  • Portage (city): about 38,082 residents
  • Valparaiso (city): about 34,733 residents
  • Chesterton (town): about 14,446 residents
  • South Haven (unincorporated community): about 7,241 residents
  • Porter (town): about 5,217 residents
More places (14)
  • Hebron (town): about 3,976 residents
  • Shorewood Forest (unincorporated community): about 3,263 residents
  • Kouts (town): about 2,372 residents
  • Burns Harbor (town): about 2,155 residents
  • Salt Creek Commons (unincorporated community): about 1,843 residents
  • Aberdeen (unincorporated community): about 1,490 residents
  • Ogden Dunes (town): about 1,140 residents
  • Beverly Shores (town): about 650 residents
  • Lake Eliza (unincorporated community): about 545 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Town of Pines (town): about 530 residents
  • Dune Acres (town): about 293 residents
  • Wheeler (unincorporated community): about 283 residents
  • Malden (unincorporated community): about 137 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Boone Grove (unincorporated community): about 30 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)

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

For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1. VA crisis support (opens in a new tab)

Indiana benefits

Qualifying Indiana veterans rated 100 percent can deduct 100 percent of assessed homestead value when an eligible nonprofit donated the home.

Eligible children of Indiana wartime veterans with service-connected disability can receive tuition and fee exemptions for up to 124 credits at state universities.

See every Indiana benefit by rating

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

Full appointment checklist

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 Indiana listings

Nearby counties

Sources and method

ACS 2020-2024; VA FY2025; geography/locations/benefits 2026; adjacency 2024. Distances: straight line from county center. Full method.

VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Porter County

Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points. Representatives may serve clients outside their local area.

Bennie Fugate

Claims agent · Valparaiso · IN · In your county

VA-accredited since 2025 · checked

VA accreditation number 59839

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Your request goes straight to Bennie Fugate's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Indiana

Connie Bauswell

Attorney · Valparaiso · IN · In your county

VA-accredited since 2009 · checked

VA accreditation number 11825

4.6 · 12 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Indiana

Clifford Rice

Attorney · Valparaiso · IN · In your county

VA-accredited since 2016 · checked

VA accreditation number 37749

4.7 · 277 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Indiana

Dana Ratkovich

Attorney · Valparaiso · IN · In your county

VA-accredited since 2026 · checked

VA accreditation number 60559

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Your request goes straight to Dana Ratkovich's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Indiana

Lynda Lancaster

Attorney · Chesterton · IN · In your county

VA-accredited since 2026 · checked

VA accreditation number 61481

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Your request goes straight to Lynda Lancaster's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Indiana

VA-accredited attorneys in Indiana

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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