Okeechobee County Veteran & Indigent Services
1700 NW 9th Avenue, Ste C
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Office: (863) 763-6950 Ext. 3207
Email:  veteran@co.okeechobee.fl.us.

Hours:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Our Mission 

Okeechobee County's Veteran Service office mission is to serve Okeechobee County Veterans and their family members by providing assistance established through VA benefits under Federal and State laws which may result in monetary gain and medical care, and to be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive the care, support and recognition earned in service to this Nation.

The Veteran Services Division strives to:

VA Benefits

You may be eligible if you are:

• A Veteran.
• A Veteran's Dependent.
• A Surviving Spouse or Child of a Deceased Veteran.
• A member of the Reserves or National Guard.
• An Active Duty Service member.
• A Merchant Marine.

Benefits assistance is available for Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Education, Home Loan Guaranty, Burial. Assistance is available Monday thru Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment only (closed on approved holidays).

Van Transportation:

Okeechobee County provides free transportation for eligible veterans to and from their medical appointments at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The van departs and returns from the Wawa east side parking lot. To schedule a ride on the van call 763-6950 Ext. 3207.   All medical appointments must be before 12 noon.

New Veterans Crisis Line phone number

WASHINGTON — Effective July 16, Veterans have the option to Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with caring, qualified responders for 24/7 crisis support.

In response to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designating the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Department of Veterans Affairs has made it more user friendly to access the Veterans Crisis Line.

“During a crisis, every second counts,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This new, shorter number makes it easier for Veterans and those who care about them to reach lifesaving support without having to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care.”

Reducing Veteran suicide is the top clinical priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration. Enhancing suicide prevention crisis services is a key component of the White House strategy on reducing Veteran suicide as well as President Biden’s comprehensive strategy to address the country’s national mental health crisis.

VA operates the Veterans Crisis Line through the 988 Lifeline’s national network and thus collaborated to accomplish the successful transition. During two years of preparation, the department has added hundreds of crisis line employees and responder staff, with still more hiring underway, and has strengthened call center infrastructure.

The Veterans Crisis Line is a critical component of the nation’s largest integrated suicide prevention network. It links to more than 500 suicide prevention coordinators across the VA health care system, ensuring coordination into follow-up services as part of a full continuum of care.

Individuals who call the Veterans Crisis Line are five times more likely to have less distress and less suicidal ideation from the beginning to end of the call.

While Dial 988 then Press 1 is a new option for contacting the Veterans Crisis Line, the original number: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, remains available, and Veterans can continue to reach out via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or by text to 838255.

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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

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