Skip Navigation LinksWisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs > COVID-19

COVID-19

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ News and Media Press Room​ News and Publications Events​ Data and Populations​ WDVA Tool-Kit​​​ ​​​ ​​​​​ ​
​


WDVA COVID-19 Updates​​Stop the Spread of Germs CDC Flyer-page-001.jpg

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The State of Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and other local, state, and federal partners. 

We encourage you to visit the USDVA website​ for the latest news from the VA Medical Centers, as well as Wisconsin.gov/COVID19 for information from Wisconsin state agencies​. Country Veterans Service Officers are a good local point of contact for information and resources.​

​​

WDVA Pro​​gram Status

The WDVA has implemented the following protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While many ​face-to-face and walk-in services have been suspended, all locations will continue to provide services online and via telephone.

Given the current status of COVID-19 and the recommendations of medical experts, the Centers for Disease Control and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, these decisions are in the best interest of the health and safety of our veterans, visitors and staff. Thank you for your understanding and for joining us to help prevent the spread of disease. 

As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to check back frequently for additional information and updates. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter​.​​


Wisconsin Veterans Homes at Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove
  • Read the latest information and testing updates for COVID-19 at each of Wisconsin's veterans homes.​
  • Medically unnecessary visits have been suspended until further notice.
  • Some allowances may be made to allow for visits in compassionate cases. In these instances, family members will be screened before entering our facilities.
  • Staff and approved visitors will be subjected to temperature monitoring before entering the premises, until further notice.
  • In light of guidance from the CDC that residents of nursing homes must cover their mouth and nose when interacting with staff, our Homes are accepting homemade, non-medical cloth masks from donors for residents to wear​.​ 
  • We have issued PPE to staff, f​ollowing CDC recommendations. The Homes have appropriate measures in place to account for all PPE and the ability to request more in the case of an outbreak.
​

Central Office​

  • Not accepting walk-in visitors.
  • We encourage you to visit the WDVA website at www.WisVets.com​. 
  • WisVets.com has an online chat feature if you need to reach someone directly.

Claims Office​

  • ​​Not accepting walk-in visitors or scheduling face-to-face appointments until further notice.
  • We encourage use of the E-benefits system to submit claims and documentation to the USDVA.
  • We are still open for phone inquiries at 414-902-5757.

​Veterans Benefits Resource Center
  • Not accepting walk-in visitors or scheduling face-to-face appointments until further notice.
  • Reach a customer service rep by phone (1-800-WISVETS), email (WisVets@dva.wisconsin.gov​​), or through the online "Chat now" feature located in the bottom corner of www.WisVets.com.  
  • We encourage use of www.MyWisVets.com for learning about eligibility for our benefits.

Veterans Housing and Recovery Program
  • No longer allowing visitors.
  • Screening for symptoms of COVID-19.

Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program
  • Face-to-face meetings will occur only when necessary.
  • All other intakes and case management check-ins will occur by phone.​
  • Veterans in need should contact their local outreach and recovery coordinator.

Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries
  • The cemeteries are not accepting walk-ins or face-to-face meetings in the administrative buildings. Pre-registration can be completed online at www.MyWisVets.com.
  • While Wisconsin’s State Veterans Cemeteries are operated by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, many of the operating procedures, standards, and measurements used in daily operations are derived from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. The federal guidelines allow for variation in the policies and procedures implemented in response to COVID-19, based on the particular circumstances of each cemetery’s specific locale.
  • We have a limited number of essential staff who are maintaining a high level of service to families, factoring in their ability to work safely while protecting the health of everyone at our cemeteries. As such, the Wisconsin State Veterans Cemeteries are not adjusting operational capabilities on a calendar-based timeline. We are currently unable to project a specific date when our cemeteries will return to full operation; we are remaining flexible and responsive with our policies and procedures as COVID-19 evolves.
  • Effective June 19 for the Northern Cemetery and effective July 13 for the Central and Southern Cemeteries, the Wisconsin State Veterans Cemeteries will: 
    • Allow outdoor committal services at either the committal shelter (Southern and Northern), or graveside (Central);
    • Host military funeral honors with a minimum of two uniformed personnel to fold/present the burial flag;
    • Provide additional military honors, based on availability of personnel;
    • Require face masks for those who attend committal services;
    • Require social distancing of at least six feet for those not living in the same household; and 
    • Segregate cemetery staff from service attendees.​
​
Wisconsin Veteran​s Military Funeral Honors
  • Coordination of Honors has resumed.
  • If you delayed Honors due to Covid-19, you may now call the Honors office.
  • Veterans may have one Honors ceremony and requests for multiple Honors services cannot be supported.
  • The Military Funeral Honors Program has resumed requesting Veterans Service Organization (VSO) support for Honors at this time. However, VSO participation for rifle volleys is completely voluntary. Honors services that occur with military personnel support to fold/present the flag and sound Taps without rifle volleys due to lack of availability will not have the rifle volley scheduled separately at a later date.
  • Contact the Military Funeral Honors Program office with any questions at 877-944-6667 or honors@dva.wisconsin.gov.

Wisconsin Veteran​s Museum
  • ​Closed to the Public until further notice.
  • We encourage you to explore our state’s veteran history and participate in virtual programming at www.WisVetsMuseum.com.  
  • We are also still open for phone or email inquiries at 608-267-1799 or visitor.curator@dva.wisconsin.gov​.​​

​Additional Resources

Wisconsin Department of Health Services​: Latest information about the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
A message from Governor Tony Evers​ to Wisconsin Veterans Homes staff.
Centers for Disease Control​: Resources and information to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.​
NASDVA: The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs shares national resources.
USDVA:​ ​The VA's public health response to protect and care for veterans.
USDVA Coronavirus FAQs​: Topics frequently ​posed to the federal VA.
Safer at Home order​: ​An order for Wisconsinites to stay at home as much as possible.​​
​State of Wisconsin​: State Agency guida​nce and resources for Wisconsinites​​​.​​​
PPE Donation and Buy Back​ - ​​A statewide program for businesses or individuals to sell or donate personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and healthcare professionals.​
​

Mental Health Resources

WDVA Veterans Outreach & Recovery Program: Connects veterans to community services and provides case management and support, with a special focus on treatment and recovery.​
Veteran Crisis Line: Free, confidential support for veterans in crisis and their families and friends.
Vet Centers: Community-based ​counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services. 
Vets4Warriors​: Provides sustained, confidential peer support to any veteran, service member, family member, or caregiver whenever they have an issue, wherever they are in the world.​
National Prevention Suicide Lifeline​: Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.​​​
2-1-1 Wisconsin​: Connects residents throughout the state to nonprofit and government services in their area
​​COVID-19: Resilient Wisconsin​: Wisconsin Department of Health Services ​website that provides practical tools and sources of support that can help you strengthen your resilience during times of stress.
Mental Health America of Wisconsin: Dedicated to improving the mental health of all individuals through advocacy, education, and service.​
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin: The mission of NAMI Wisconsin is to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illness and to promote recovery.​​
Military ​​One Service: Resources for military, spouses, families, and National Guard.
​