Skip to main content
Menu
Local help and county facts

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

Find veterans benefits contacts for Elk County, Pennsylvania.

Offices for Elk County

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

Getting help in Elk County

Elk County Director of Veterans Affairs appears 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 Elk County

The ACS estimates about 1,850, give or take 240 civilian veterans in Elk County.

Among Pennsylvania's 67 counties and equivalents, Elk County ranks 58th by its estimated number of veterans.

Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
MeasureElk CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Share with a service-connected rating27 percent

above the Pennsylvania share; below the national share.

21 percent30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher9 percent

above the Pennsylvania share; below the national share.

8 percent13 percent

Veterans 75 and older in Elk County number about 609, give or take 121; their 33 percent share is above Pennsylvania's 32 percent.

Veterans under 35 account for 2 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Elk County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.

Women veterans account for 3 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Elk County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.

Income, work and education in Elk County

Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
MeasureElk CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income$43,231 ± $5,321$49,710 ± $463$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income$36,810 ± $1,413$41,158 ± $165$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over5.0% ± 2.7 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over33.0% ± 6.8 points30.7% ± 0.4 points30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 6473.8% ± 12.1 points74.0% ± 0.8 points73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 643.6% ± 6.8 points; small survey sample; treat as roughNot comparedNot compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over91.9% ± 3.4 points94.8% ± 0.2 points95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over14.0% ± 5.1 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 1,000 on September 30, 2035, compared with 2,000 on September 30, 2026. VetPop2023 projections are rounded to the nearest 1,000 as VA directs. Projection source and method.

VA disability compensation in Elk County

VA reports 523 veterans in Elk County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.

VA recipients by service-connected rating, FY2025
Rating groupRecipients
0 to 20 percent132
30 to 40 percent78
50 to 60 percent76
70 to 90 percent141
100 percent96

FY2019: 436 recipients. Change to FY2025: +87.

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 Elk County

In 2025, lenders reported 27 VA-backed home loans out of 489 home loans made in Elk County (5.5% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

Average VA loan amount reported: about $191,000.

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 769, give or take 135) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 249, give or take 87).

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

VA money in Elk County

VA reported about $12.7 million in compensation and pension spending and about $12.6 million in medical care spending in Elk County for FY2025.

Nearest VA locations

Call to confirm hours before you go.

The second-nearest medical center to Elk County is Butler VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab) in Butler, PA, about 77 miles in a straight line from the county center.

The second-nearest Vet Center to Elk County is Williamsport Vet Center (opens in a new tab) in Williamsport, PA, about 87 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

Bath National Cemetery (opens in a new tab)
San Juan Avenue Bath, NY 14810
607-664-4853

About 92.4 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 88.1 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 Elk 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, Western Pennsylvania CoC counted 61 veterans experiencing homelessness (61 sheltered, 0 unsheltered).

PA-601 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid).

The HUD workbook reports 88 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 James E. Van Zandt Veterans' Administration Medical Center (opens in a new tab), 814-943-8164. Ask for the homeless coordinator.

Housing prevention and rehousing help serving Elk 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 Elk County

  • St. Marys (city): about 12,529 residents
  • Ridgway (borough): about 3,969 residents
  • Johnsonburg (borough): about 2,424 residents
  • Kersey (unincorporated community): about 743 residents
  • Weedville (unincorporated community): about 523 residents
More places (4)
  • Byrnedale (unincorporated community): about 434 residents
  • Wilcox (unincorporated community): about 323 residents
  • Force (unincorporated community): about 226 residents
  • James City (unincorporated community): about 174 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. Full method.

VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents near Elk County

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

John Achille

Attorney · Brookville · PA · About 27 miles away

VA-accredited since 2015 · checked

VA accreditation number 35453

4.0 · 5 reviews

View profile

Are you John Achille? Update your details and see your referral activity.

Claim this profile, free

Send a consultation request to John Achille

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

Your state: Pennsylvania

Rebekah Yeager-Malkin

Attorney · Clarion · PA · About 43 miles away

VA-accredited since 2025 · checked

VA accreditation number 58709

View profile

Are you Rebekah Yeager-Malkin? Update your details and see your referral activity.

Claim this profile, free

Send a consultation request to Rebekah Yeager-Malkin

Your request goes straight to Rebekah Yeager-Malkin's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Pennsylvania

Cynthia Lose-Morgan

Attorney · Clearfield · PA · About 31 miles away

VA-accredited since 2025 · checked

VA accreditation number 59944

View profile

Are you Cynthia Lose-Morgan? Update your details and see your referral activity.

Claim this profile, free

Send a consultation request to Cynthia Lose-Morgan

Your request goes straight to Cynthia Lose-Morgan's email on file with VA. It's free, and they reply to you directly.

Your state: Pennsylvania

Mark Baylis

Claims agent · Brodheadsville · PA · About 175 miles away

VA-accredited since 2018 · checked

VA accreditation number 44976

4.8 · 96 reviews · Firm rating

View profile

Are you Mark Baylis? Update your details and see your referral activity.

Claim this profile, free

Send a consultation request to Mark Baylis

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

Your state: Pennsylvania

Robert Blumberg

Attorney · Wayne · PA · About 182 miles away

VA-accredited since 2013 · checked

VA accreditation number 28695

5.0 · 2 reviews · Firm rating

View profile

Are you Robert Blumberg? Update your details and see your referral activity.

Claim this profile, free

Send a consultation request to Robert Blumberg

Your request goes straight to Robert Blumberg'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.

Correct a listing

Directories cover all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Choose another state.