Senior Veterans
The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) connects senior veterans to the resources they need to live purpose-driven lives, including emergency food services, health insurance, job training programs, legal aid, transportation alternatives, and end-of-life planning. DVS also works with senior veterans to help them get benefits and other services from the VA.
Connect to services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form:
Request Services on VetConnectNYC
See below for a list of resources of services to support senior veterans:
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- DVS's Final Honors Program ensures that all deceased NYC veterans - even if unclaimed or abandoned - are given military funerals with honors and buried at a National Cemetery once they are verified as eligible for military honors. A DVS official is present on the day of each unclaimed or abandoned veterans' National Cemetery funeral to bear witness to his or her sacrifice for our country.
- Veterans can learn in advance if they are eligible to be buried in a VA national cemetery by applying for a pre-need determination of eligibility. Visit the VA's Pre-Need Eligibility website to learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process, and what information you need to apply. After reviewing the website, please download and submit VA Form 40-10007. Please note, this application is for planning for your own burial in advance. Please do not complete this form if you're requesting a burial for someone after they have passed.
Senior Employment Program
The NYC Department for the Aging's (DFTA) Senior Employment Program has placed New Yorkers over the age of 55 in jobs in data processing, administrative work, customer service, security services, airport services, home care, and more.
DVS has partnered with DFTA's Senior Employment Program to identify older New Yorkers who can assist the agency in serving New York City's veteran community. Participants will become “DVS Ambassadors.” DVS Ambassadors will perform outreach that furthers our agency's mission to connect, mobilize, and empower NYC-based US Military Service Members--past and present--in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. To be eligible, candidates must:
- Be 55 or older
- Live in the five boroughs
- Be unemployed
- Have a family income of no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty level
- Be willing to learn new skill
Additionally, candidates should possess the following:
- Excellent communication skills
- High-level attention to detail and organizational skills
- An outgoing, engaging personality
- Customer service and sales background preferred
- Military/veteran affiliation preferred
- A can-do spirit
If you or someone you know meets the criteria and would like to learn more, please fill out an interest form to register for an information session.
Download a document detailing our DVS Ambassadors program
- The NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) offers transportation services for New York City residents who are 60 years old and older. For transportation services enter your information in DFTA's contact form. Please note: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, transportation providers will be providing socially distanced small group transportation services at this time
- The VA Travel Reimbursement pays veterans back for travel expenses to and from health care appointments.
- Participating VA medical centers (VAMCs) offer transportation services to VA appointments and authorized non-VA appointments. Learn more about theVeteran Transportation Service (VTS).
Senior Care and Living Options
- Assisted Living New York Caring.com provides an introductory guide to assisted living in New York covers the cost of senior care in the state and financial assistance available for assisted living, including assisted living waivers. It also provides contact information for nonprofit and government agencies that provide free or low-cost resources to seniors.
- Memory Care in New York Memory care communities are a form of dementia care that takes place in a residential setting. At a memory care community, seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia receive around-the-clock care and supervision from trained caregivers. Families exploring memory care options in New York can use this guide to compare average costs, learn about services and find local resources for care planning.