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Lewis and Clark County, MT Veterans Service Office (VSO)

Find veterans benefits and claims contacts for Lewis and Clark County, Montana.

Offices for Lewis and Clark County

No local office is matched to Lewis and Clark County in this directory. Contact a state option below or an office in a nearby county to ask about help.

Help from anywhere in Montana

Getting help in Lewis and Clark County

Montana MVAD lists nine service offices but does not assign counties on its current contact page. Ask MVAD which office can help with this county and confirm the appointment and location.

Official county or service directory (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 Lewis and Clark County

The ACS estimates about 5,580, give or take 544 civilian veterans in Lewis and Clark County.

By ACS estimates, Lewis and Clark County has the 5th largest veteran population among Montana's 56 counties and equivalents.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasureLewis and Clark CountyMontanaUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating47 percent

above the Montana share; above the national share.

32 percent30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher16 percent

above the Montana share; above the national share.

12 percent13 percent

Lewis and Clark County has about 1,050, give or take 162 veterans 75 and older, making up 19 percent of its veterans compared with 25 percent in Montana.

Lewis and Clark County has about 289, give or take 112 veterans under 35, making up 5 percent of its veterans compared with 8 percent in Montana.

Lewis and Clark County has about 532, give or take 174 women veterans; both the county and Montana round to a 10 percent share.

Income, work and education in Lewis and Clark County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasureLewis and Clark CountyMontanaUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$53,287 ± $4,730$49,430 ± $1,076$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$43,930 ± $1,615$38,147 ± $393$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over7.4% ± 3.6 points7.6% ± 0.8 points7.4% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over33.1% ± 5.5 points32.1% ± 1.2 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6468.7% ± 5.1 points72.9% ± 1.3 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 641.2% ± 2.3 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over98.3% ± 1.0 points96.7% ± 0.6 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over36.6% ± 3.9 points31.1% ± 1.5 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 fewer veterans here in 2035: about 6,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 7,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Lewis and Clark County

VA reports 2,956 veterans in Lewis and Clark County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent602
30 to 40 percent337
50 to 60 percent349
70 to 90 percent874
100 percent794

FY2019: 1,957 recipients. Change to FY2025: +999.

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 Lewis and Clark County

In 2025, lenders reported 272 VA-backed home loans out of 1,789 home loans made in Lewis and Clark County (15.2% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $456,000.

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 1,750, give or take 276) and post-9/11 only (about 1,230, give or take 295).

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

VA money in Lewis and Clark County

VA reported about $80.7 million in compensation and pension spending and about $113.9 million in medical care spending in Lewis and Clark County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

Outside Montana, in Spokane, WA, Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (opens in a new tab) is Lewis and Clark County's second-nearest medical center, about 241 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The second-nearest Vet Center to Lewis and Clark County is Great Falls Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Great Falls, MT, about 57 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The state registry lists Fort Harrison RO (station 436); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.

Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes

Nearest open VA national cemetery

Yellowstone National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
55 Buffalo Trail Road Laurel, MT 59044
406-647-2746

About 198.2 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery

Montana State Veterans Cemetery - Fort Harrison (opens in a new tab)
3550 Heroes Rd Fort Harrison, MT 59636
406-324-4793

About 37.5 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 Lewis and Clark County

EPA Superfund National Priorities List

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, Montana Statewide CoC counted 168 veterans experiencing homelessness (113 sheltered, 55 unsheltered).

MT-500 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid).

The HUD workbook reports 205 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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 406-442-6410. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Lewis and Clark 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)

Cities and towns in Lewis and Clark County

  • Helena (city): about 33,639 residents
  • Helena Valley Southeast (unincorporated community): about 9,108 residents
  • Helena Valley West Central (unincorporated community): about 8,056 residents
  • Helena Valley Northwest (unincorporated community): about 5,183 residents
  • Helena Valley Northeast (unincorporated community): about 4,659 residents
More places (13)
  • East Helena (city): about 1,702 residents
  • Helena West Side (unincorporated community): about 1,417 residents
  • Lincoln (unincorporated community): about 908 residents
  • Unionville (unincorporated community): about 412 residents
  • York (unincorporated community): about 182 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Craig (unincorporated community): about 172 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Augusta (unincorporated community): about 165 residents
  • Marysville (unincorporated community): about 160 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Rimini (unincorporated community): about 118 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Milford Colony (unincorporated community): about 40 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Canyon Creek (unincorporated community): about 27 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Gilman (unincorporated community): about 12 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Wolf Creek (unincorporated community): about 12 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)

Montana benefits

For tax year 2027, qualifying Montana veterans rated 100 percent service-connected can receive property tax relief.

Montana operates 3 state veterans homes.

See every Montana 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 Montana 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 Lewis and Clark County

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

Jon McCarty

Attorney · Great Falls · MT · About 50 miles away

VA-accredited since 2011 · checked

VA accreditation number 22144

4.9 · 27 reviews · Firm rating

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

Your state: Montana

Joseph Norena

Attorney · Bozeman · MT · About 125 miles away

VA-accredited since 2020 · checked

VA accreditation number 49627

4.0 · 8 reviews · Firm rating

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

Your state: Montana

Trevor Fonseth

Attorney · Great Falls · MT · About 50 miles away

VA-accredited since 2024 · checked

VA accreditation number 57337

4.9 · 27 reviews · Firm rating

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

Your state: Montana

Brittney Mada

Attorney · Billings · MT · About 212 miles away

VA-accredited since 2024 · checked

VA accreditation number 55903

3.0 · 12 reviews · Firm rating

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

Your state: Montana

VA-accredited attorneys in Montana

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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