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Dauphin County, PA Veterans Service Office (VSO): phone and address

Find veterans benefits contacts for Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

You can contact the Dauphin County Director of Veterans Affairs or the VFW service officer contact in Harrisburg for claims help; call first to confirm the type of help, appointment availability and meeting location. An accredited VSO representative can help with claims at no cost, but confirm availability before traveling. For a referral to the current county director or other accredited assistance, contact Pennsylvania DMVA. Dauphin County has about 14,900 veterans, and Vietnam era only is its largest service era, at about 4,340; Agent Orange exposure questions depend on where and when you served. Nearby VA locations include the Harrisburg Vet Center, 11 miles away, and Lebanon VA Medical Center, 22 miles away. These are straight-line distances from the county’s center, not driving distances. The linked state page has full benefit terms.

Offices for Dauphin County

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

Getting help in Dauphin County

Dauphin County Director of Veterans Affairs, VFW service officer contact - Harrisburg appear in this guide. Call the provider to confirm the type of claims help, current appointment and meeting location.

Official 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 Dauphin County

The ACS estimates about 14,900, give or take 1,070 civilian veterans in Dauphin County.

By ACS estimates, Dauphin County has the 15th largest veteran population among Pennsylvania's 67 counties and equivalents.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasureDauphin CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating20 percent

below the Pennsylvania share; below the national share.

21 percent30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher7 percent

below the Pennsylvania share; below the national share.

8 percent13 percent

Dauphin County has about 3,920, give or take 377 veterans 75 and older, making up 26 percent of its veterans compared with 32 percent in Pennsylvania.

Veterans under 35 in Dauphin County number about 1,090, give or take 356; their 7 percent share is above Pennsylvania's 6 percent.

Women veterans in Dauphin County number about 1,680, give or take 455; their 11 percent share is above Pennsylvania's 8 percent.

Income, work and education in Dauphin County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasureDauphin CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$53,847 ± $3,346$49,710 ± $463$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$42,607 ± $833$41,158 ± $165$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over9.4% ± 2.2 points7.0% ± 0.3 points7.4% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over27.4% ± 3.4 points30.7% ± 0.4 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6473.6% ± 5.2 points74.0% ± 0.8 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 644.7% ± 2.5 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over96.1% ± 1.2 points94.8% ± 0.2 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over30.5% ± 4.0 points25.5% ± 0.4 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 12,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 16,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Dauphin County

VA reports 4,302 veterans in Dauphin County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent828
30 to 40 percent483
50 to 60 percent539
70 to 90 percent1,313
100 percent1,139

FY2019: 3,563 recipients. Change to FY2025: +739.

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 Dauphin County

In 2025, lenders reported 393 VA-backed home loans out of 6,555 home loans made in Dauphin County (6.0% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $309,000.

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 4,340, give or take 509) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 2,820, give or take 381).

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

VA money in Dauphin County

VA reported about $116.3 million in compensation and pension spending and about $99.3 million in medical care spending in Dauphin County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

The second-nearest medical center to Dauphin County is Coatesville VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab) in Coatesville, PA, about 60 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The second-nearest Vet Center to Dauphin County is Lancaster Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Lancaster, PA, about 38 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The state registry lists Philadelphia RO (station 310) and Pittsburgh RO (station 311); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.

Veterans cemeteries and State Veterans Homes

Nearest open VA national cemetery

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
60 Indiantown Gap Road Annville, PA 17003
717-865-5254

About 11.7 miles in a straight line from the county center. Burial space: open.

Nearest VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery

Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
560 E Third St Erie, PA 16512
814-871-4531

About 207.7 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 Dauphin County

EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Formerly Used Defense Sites

More former defense sites (5)

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, Harrisburg/Dauphin County CoC counted 34 veterans experiencing homelessness (29 sheltered, 5 unsheltered).

PA-501 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid).

The HUD workbook reports 20 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 Lebanon VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 717-272-6621. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Dauphin 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 Dauphin County

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

  • Harrisburg (city): about 50,287 residents
  • Colonial Park (unincorporated community): about 18,032 residents
  • Hershey (unincorporated community): about 14,242 residents
  • Progress (unincorporated community): about 11,017 residents
  • Middletown (borough): about 9,632 residents
More places (27)
  • Linglestown (unincorporated community): about 6,957 residents
  • Rutherford (unincorporated community): about 6,890 residents
  • Steelton (borough): about 6,296 residents
  • Lawnton (unincorporated community): about 4,765 residents
  • Skyline View (unincorporated community): about 4,704 residents
  • Hummelstown (borough): about 4,527 residents
  • Paxtonia (unincorporated community): about 4,074 residents
  • Penbrook (borough): about 3,266 residents
  • Highspire (borough): about 2,732 residents
  • Millersburg (borough): about 2,531 residents
  • Bressler (unincorporated community): about 2,060 residents
  • Lykens (borough): about 1,878 residents
  • Paxtang (borough): about 1,662 residents
  • Palmdale (unincorporated community): about 1,542 residents
  • Elizabethville (borough): about 1,350 residents
  • Williamstown (borough): about 1,345 residents
  • Enhaut (unincorporated community): about 1,197 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Dauphin (borough): about 1,075 residents
  • Royalton (borough): about 941 residents
  • Union Deposit (unincorporated community): about 808 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Lenkerville (unincorporated community): about 775 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Gratz (borough): about 745 residents
  • Wiconsico (unincorporated community): about 734 residents
  • Halifax (borough): about 515 residents
  • Berrysburg (borough): about 301 residents
  • Oberlin (unincorporated community): about 269 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
  • Pillow (borough): about 264 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

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

Pennsylvania benefits

Pennsylvania fully exempts qualifying principal residences for veterans with total or 100 percent permanent service-connected disability who meet wartime service and financial need rules.

Pennsylvania offers eligible children of qualifying disabled wartime veterans up to $500 per term for eight semesters.

See every Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Dauphin County

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

Marielle Hazen

Attorney · Harrisburg · PA · In your county

VA-accredited since 2009 · checked

VA accreditation number 12640

4.7 · 26 reviews · Firm rating

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

Your state: Pennsylvania

Lori Painter

Attorney · Harrisburg · PA · In your county

VA-accredited since 2026 · checked

VA accreditation number 61255

4.7 · 122 reviews · Firm rating

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Your state: Pennsylvania

Raymond Hedger

Attorney · Hershey · PA · In your county

VA-accredited since 2013 · checked

VA accreditation number 28691

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Your state: Pennsylvania

Richard Spevack

Attorney · Harrisburg · PA · In your county

VA-accredited since 2017 · checked

VA accreditation number 43000

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

Your state: Pennsylvania

Tracy Henry

Attorney · Harrisburg · PA · In your county

VA-accredited since 2015 · checked

VA accreditation number 34488

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

Your state: Pennsylvania

VA-accredited attorneys in Pennsylvania

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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