American Legion and VA partnering on special claims clinic for veterans

TAMPA, Florida – (Aug. 6) – The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans service organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are conducting a special claims clinic for all veterans at no cost.

Accredited veteran service officers will be available to provide claims support in the West Hall exhibit of the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, Florida 33602, when it is open. Exhibit hall hours are from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 22 to Aug. 26, except on Sunday and Tuesday when it closes at 2 p.m. Additionally, staff from the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office will be on site to conduct the claims clinic from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27, between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the convention center.

The American Legion and VA will be on site to provide free assistance with filing benefits claims. Veterans attending should bring their ID, pen and paper, and their DD-214, as well as any documents related to their service treatment record.

Veterans do not need to sign up in advance. However, due to expected high attendance, veterans intending to file a new claim or file an increase, are encouraged to contact American Legion veteran service officers Kevin Buckner or Eric Taylor in advance to complete a power of attorney. Buckner can be reached at kbuckner@legion.org or 202-263-5766; Taylor can be reached at etaylor@legion.org or 202-263-5765