New York State Department of Veterans' Services

What New York State Department of Veterans' Services does

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) is a New York State government agency headquartered in Albany, NY, with 66 employees and a network of 112 service locations covering all 62 counties of the state. Its mandate is to assist veterans, service members, and their families in obtaining federal, state, local, and private benefits earned through military service. Core service lines include free claims assistance and benefits advising delivered by Veterans Benefits Advisors (who are themselves veterans), the nation's first Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board, the Restoration of Honor Act program, mental health support for PTSD, TBI, Military Sexual Trauma, and suicide prevention, plus housing, employment, education, property tax exemption, and health care coordination services.

DVS does not sell a product in the commercial sense; its operating model is service delivery funded through New York State annual budget appropriations and supplemented by grant programs such as the Veterans' Nonprofit Capital Program (VNCP). Distribution combines physical offices, mobile outreach vans at community events statewide, phone and video consultations booked through Microsoft Office 365, and the NY Veterans Mobile App on iOS and Android. Partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the NYS Department of Labor, DASNY, SONYMA, the NYS Thruway Authority, the NYS Office of Mental Health, and HelloFresh extend the agency's reach across benefit categories. Commissioner Viviana DeCohen, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has led the agency since December 2021.

Name

New York State Department of Veterans' Services

Legal name

New York State Department of Veterans' Services

Website

https://veterans.ny.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services is a state government agency that helps veterans, service members, and their families access federal, state, and local benefits through 112 service locations, mobile outreach vans, and digital tools, all free of charge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Veterans Services

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314), Administration of Veterans' Affairs (923140), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI), Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Military & Veterans Public Health Departments (HLAJAAAI)

Keywords

• Veterans benefits advising
• Claims assistance services
• Discharge upgrade advocacy
• Veterans mental health support
• Veterans employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriation: The New York State Department of Veterans' Services is a state government agency funded through annual state budget appropriations. The agency does not generate revenue but distributes benefits and services to veterans at no cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) is a New York State government agency that provides free benefits advising, claims preparation, and advocacy services to Veterans, service members, and their families. Its core offerings include assistance with federal, state, local, and private veterans' benefits, discharge upgrade applications, mental health support, housing assistance, employment services, and property tax exemptions. The agency operates a statewide network of 112 service locations and mobile outreach vans, supported by Veterans Benefits Advisors who are themselves Veterans.

Product overview

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) operates as a state government agency providing a comprehensive suite of benefits, services, and support programs for Veterans, Service Members, and their families. Rather than a unified software product, the agency offers an integrated portfolio of service delivery channels: Veterans Benefits Advisors provide free, personalized claims assistance; the Veteran Mobile Unit extends services to underserved communities; and specialized programs address mental health (PTSD, MST, TBI, suicide prevention), housing, employment, education, property tax exemptions, and financial compensation. The NY Veterans Mobile App and Microsoft 365 booking system enable digital access to these services. Key programs include the Restoration of Honor Act, Incarcerated Veterans Program, PACT Act assistance, Disabled Veterans Programs, and the Veterans' Nonprofit Capital Program for grant funding to veteran-serving organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Claims Assistance

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% of NYS taxing jurisdictions offer Alternative Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing VA benefits, healthcare, home loans, and burial services. DVS coordinates with VA on claims processing, healthcare enrollment, and veteran services including Vet Centers and VA medical facilities across NYS.
• New York State Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides veterans priority service in all NYS employment and training programs. DVS refers veterans for job search assistance, vocational training, and the Hire-A-Vet Credit program.
• New York State Department of Agriculture and MarketssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on the FreshConnect Checks program providing farmers market benefits to Active Duty members, Veterans, and their immediate family members as well as un-remarried surviving spouses.
• Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers the Veterans' Nonprofit Capital Program (VNCP) grants for capital improvements to eligible nonprofit veteran organizations. DASNY handles grant administration for Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of VNCP.
• New York State Thruway AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free, unlimited E-ZPass travel on the NYS Thruway to qualifying disabled veterans who meet eligibility criteria.
• State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers the Homes for Veterans Program offering fixed-rate mortgages with interest rates 0.375% below standard SONYMA rates plus down payment assistance.
• NY State Office of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mental health resources and crisis support for veterans. Coordinates on suicide prevention efforts including the Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Families.
• National Call Center for Homeless VeteranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 24/7 assistance for homeless veterans at risk. Veterans can call 1-877-4AID-VET for immediate support and housing referrals.
• HelloFreshsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Meals with Meaning: Veteran Feeding Veteran' program that has distributed 2 million meals to NYS Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families since its launch during COVID-19 pandemic response.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: Pennsylvania's combined state agency for military and veterans affairs, providing benefits assistance, burial honors, and veteran programs. Directly comparable in scope and statutory mission.
• Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs: Florida's cabinet-level state agency assisting veterans with benefits claims, employment, and education. Directly comparable state agency with statewide field office network and benefits advising model.
• American Legion: Largest wartime veterans service organization with nationwide network of accredited service officers providing free claims and benefits assistance. Comparable to DVS's Veterans Benefits Advisors in service delivery and target population.
• Texas Veterans Commission: Texas state agency administering veterans benefits claims, employment services, and outreach programs statewide. Operates as a peer state-level veterans services agency with similar advisor network and county-level delivery model.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): National congressionally chartered veterans service organization providing free benefits claims assistance and representation. Directly comparable in the free benefits advising service to veterans, although delivered by a nonprofit rather than a government agency.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): National congressionally chartered VSO providing free claims assistance, advocacy, and benefits navigation for veterans. Operates accredited service officers that compete with and complement state agency advisors like those at DVS.
• California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet): California's state-level veterans services agency operating under the Governor's Office, providing benefits assistance, claims help, and veteran-focused programs across the state. Directly comparable to NYS DVS in mission, structure, and service portfolio.
• Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs: Illinois state agency responsible for state veterans benefits administration, claims assistance, and Illinois Veterans Homes operation. Closely comparable state-level peer with similar claims advising and benefits distribution role.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Federal agency administering all federal veterans benefits, healthcare, and burial services. DVS coordinates directly with VA and serves as state-level navigator for the federal benefit system, making it the principal broader incumbent DVS operates alongside.

Others

• National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA): Trade association representing state directors of veterans affairs across all U.S. states and territories. DVS is a member agency; NASDVA serves as the convening body and policy coordination layer for state-level veterans services agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NewYorkVeterans
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NYSVeterans
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewYorkVeterans
• Instagraminstagram.com/newyorkveterans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-state-department-of-veterans-services

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York State Department of Veterans' Services