Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida

Address: 311 Pauls Dr STE 100, Brandon, FL 33511, United States.
Phone:8136358316.
Website: hcflgov.net
Specialties: County government office.
Other points of interest: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Toilet.
Opinions: This company has 23 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 2.4/5.

Location of Hillsborough County Veterans Services

Hillsborough County Veterans Services: A Comprehensive Guide

Hillsborough County Veterans Services, located at 311 Pauls Dr STE 100, Brandon, FL 33511, United States, is dedicated to serving the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This county government office provides a wide range of services to veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the benefits and support they deserve. This article provides a detailed overview of Hillsborough County Veterans Services, its main services, location and access, featured characteristics, practical information, and positive aspects highlighted in reviews.

Main Services

  • Benefits Assistance: The office helps veterans navigate the complex process of applying for and receiving various benefits, including disability compensation, pension, education, and employment services.
  • Counseling Services: Hillsborough County Veterans Services offers counseling services to help veterans and their families cope with the challenges of readjusting to civilian life, as well as financial counseling to manage benefits and other resources.
  • Health Care: The office assists veterans in accessing healthcare services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other local providers. This includes mental health services and specialized care for women veterans.
  • Homelessness Prevention: Hillsborough County Veterans Services works to prevent veteran homelessness by providing temporary financial assistance, housing referrals, and access to employment and training opportunities.
  • Transportation Services: The office coordinates transportation services to help veterans access healthcare appointments and other services. This includes van services and taxi chits.

Location and Access

Hillsborough County Veterans Services is conveniently located in Brandon, a suburb of Tampa, offering easy access to veterans throughout the county. The office is situated in the Pauls Drive Professional Center, near the intersection of I-75 and SR 60. The surrounding area is residential, with several neighborhoods such as Bloomingdale, FishHawk, and Valrico nearby.

Public transportation is available through the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus system. The nearest bus stop is located at Pauls Dr & Lumsden Rd, approximately a 5-minute walk from the office. Additionally, there is ample parking available on-site, with designated spaces for disabled veterans.

Featured Characteristics

  • Wheelchair Accessibility: Hillsborough County Veterans Services is committed to providing accessible services to all veterans. The office is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the entrance and a wheelchair-accessible toilet inside the building.
  • Multilingual Staff: The office employs multilingual staff members who can assist veterans who speak languages other than English, ensuring that no one is left behind due to language barriers.
  • Community Partnerships: Hillsborough County Veterans Services collaborates with various community organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses to provide additional resources and support to veterans and their families. These partnerships help to create a robust network of care for veterans throughout the county.

Practical Information

  • Office Hours: The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and major federal holidays.
  • Appointments: While walk-ins are welcome, veterans are encouraged to schedule appointments to ensure timely and efficient service. Appointments can be made by calling the office or using the online scheduling system available on the Hillsborough County website.
  • Required Documents: To receive services, veterans should bring their military discharge papers (DD-214) and a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport. Other documents may be required, depending on the specific service being sought.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Hillsborough County Veterans Services has an average opinion rating of 2.4/5 on Google My Business, with a total of 23 reviews. While the overall rating could be improved, several positive aspects have been highlighted by veterans and their families:

  • Knowledgeable Staff: Several reviewers praised the staff for their expertise and willingness to help, with one veteran stating, "The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful in guiding me through the process of applying for benefits."
  • Personalized Service: Some reviewers appreciated the personalized attention they received, with one veteran noting, "I felt like they really listened to my situation and tailored their assistance to my specific needs."
  • Convenient Location: The office's location in Brandon was praised by several reviewers, with one veteran commenting, "The office is easy to find and has plenty of parking, which is a big plus."

While the average rating may not be perfect, the positive aspects highlighted in reviews demonstrate that Hillsborough County Veterans Services is providing valuable support to many veterans. The office's commitment to accessibility, community partnerships, and personalized service has made a real difference in the lives of countless veterans and their families.

In conclusion, Hillsborough County Veterans Services offers a comprehensive range of services to support veterans and their families. With a convenient location, wheelchair accessibility, and a dedicated staff, the office is committed to ensuring that veterans receive the benefits and support they deserve. By taking advantage of the services and resources available through Hillsborough County Veterans Services, veterans can improve their quality of life and successfully navigate the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.

Frequently asked questions about Hillsborough County Veterans Services

What services does Hillsborough County Veterans Services offer?

The office provides benefits assistance, counseling services, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and transportation services.

How do I get to Hillsborough County Veterans Services?

The office is located at 311 Pauls Dr STE 100, Brandon, FL 33511, and is accessible by public transportation via the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus system.

Is the office wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the office is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading to the entrance and a wheelchair-accessible toilet inside the building.

Does the office offer multilingual services?

Yes, the office employs multilingual staff members who can assist veterans who speak languages other than English.

What is the office's location in relation to public transportation?

The nearest bus stop is located at Pauls Dr & Lumsden Rd, approximately a 5-minute walk from the office.

Reviews of Hillsborough County Veterans Services

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Pedro S.
1/5

After a few weeks of trying to get someone on the phone I finally got an appointment with a rep, upon arriving at the center, there was no receptionist, just sign in and wait. The rep came out. I told him that I needed assistance with a claim, he was very negative from the beginning, i expected someone that is on the county payroll to be somewhat more helpful. He continued to tell me that my claim wasn’t valid enough, that he will have to look at my records, I signed a form authorizing him to request my records, he told me that I would be about to weeks and that he will call me back, well, it has been 6 months, haven’t heard anything back from him. Wow, how did these people get these jobs, calling themselves veterans service officers. Does anyone knows who we can call at the county or the state to get rid of these people and hire real veterans that can help veterans like they are supposed to?

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Marilyn H.
1/5

Talk about Lazy and incompetent! The VSOs at the Brandon and Riverview VA locations are absolutely useless! They are 100% there just to collect a check! They don’t care, I’m sure they’re all 100% P&T and are all set themselves! Neither one of the gentlemen has any knowledge base about the claims or procedures and get upset when you call them out on it! Or is it they pretend to act like they don’t know. No one answers the phone and they act like you are bothering them when you show up to the office. I showed up to Brandon location and the round Hispanic guy (with broken English) is having an entire personal conversation loudly, while I’m sitting there waiting for him. The Riverview guy won’t even send your claim in office. I’ve been waiting 3 weeks for it to come by email from him, after promising to email it to me! They just tell you things you already know and provide zero direction or insight. I’ve been told by them to just put what ever I want to put on the document and see what happens. What kind of stuff is that to say? No one has time to be playing around like that with a claim…it already takes several months to get your inevitable denial back because they failed to inform you properly on the process! I absolutely do not recommend! Just despicable and pathetic the way they treat vets…knowing most, if not all are vets themselves! Shout out to Patrice at the VA clinic in Tampa! She rocks! She’s thee only reason why they deserve the 1 star rating I gave!!!!

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Mauci M.
1/5

Never answers the phone .. you literally have to go inside there, get fed a bunch of stupid advice, and then clearly give them direction as to what they are to do. Have patience. These clowns are doing their best :-/

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
TODD H.
1/5

Went to this office as a walk in because nobody ever answered the phone. When I got there, several veterans were waiting in the reception area. When the VSO finally called me in I felt as though his objective was to get me out of his office as soon as he could and after signing a POA for him to represent me I never heard back from him. Poor service overall and based on the other reviews I see here I think something needs to be done to improve service for Veterans. After all that is their job/duty...is it not?

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Linda P. L.
5/5

Thank to Cliff and his staff for a great interaction, orientation and guide me during this difficult time process of the claim of benefits of Burial for my Dad. EPF. I'm Blessed with your assistance.

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Jeremy M.
5/5

Best place to take care of any Veteran Services that cannot be done at a hospital or main VA office. Friendly staff, quick service and quality of work.

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Bill &. C. E.
1/5

Established contact and asked for assistance for a updating a previous claim. Submitted paperwork to provide access to record and was never contacted again. Have attempted several times to leave voice mails but none of the SO's ever call back. Highly recommend you spend your time figuring out how to do your own claim update and not waste it on anyone at this office

Hillsborough County Veterans Services - Brandon, Florida
Modern M. (.
4/5

The VSO is somewhat antiquated at this point due to the VA claims process being online. However, they are still very helpful with pre filling out your documents correctly. You will still need the PDF documents with your VA claim online. I would suggest to go through the process with the VSO complete all the necessary documents with them and have them saved digitally. Then go on the VA claims website and submit everything yourself, after filling out the PDFs you will be familiar with the forms that you need. When you go through the process copy and paste what you need from the PDFs. Then upload all of the documents at the end of the claims process online with all your medical records. I recommend to not wait on the VSO to submit your claim it will go through much fast if you do it.