WDVA COVID-19 Updates​​Covid-19 Vaccination Information

​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.​

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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


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​


  • Accepting Walk-in appointments. Call, email or message to schedule an appointment in advance and reduce wait times.
  • We encourage use of the E-benefits system to submit claims and documentation to the USDVA.
  • We are open for phone inquiries at 414-902-5757.

​Veterans Benefits Resource Center

  • Currently accepting walk-in visitors and scheduling face-to-face appointments.
  • Reach a customer service representative 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.
  • For a face-to-face appointment, please contact a customer service representative to schedule an appointment.
  • We encourage use of www.MyWisVets.com for learning about eligibility for our benefits.


Veterans Housing and Recovery Program


Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program

WDVA's Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program is committed to providing the most comprehensive level of services and assistance to our veterans and community partners. In keeping with State and Federal guidelines and the fluid nature of the pandemic, we continue to reference the Wisconsin Department of Health's website  as it relates to COVID-19 and will adjust our procedures accordingly as it relates to how we treat, connect, interact, and reach out to our partners and veterans in need. We are able to schedule in-person meetings when it is safe for both our staff and veterans. When face-to-face meetings are not possible, we are utilizing Microsoft Teams to best connect with partners and veterans.

All of our coordinators are available via phone and email during normal business hours to answer any other questions and to offer support to our veterans and community partners. Visit the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program page​ for contact information.


Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries

 
  •  The administration buildings are open to the public, walk in visitors are welcome.
    • ​Pre-registration is available 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.
        • ​​Effective June 19, 2021 for the Northern Cemetery and effective July 13, 2021 for the Central and Southern Cemeteries, the Wisconsin State Veterans Cemeteries will: ​
          • ​​Allow committal services and military funeral honors at the indoor chapel.(Northern)
          • ​​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 any visitor's not vaccinated while inside any state buildings and in accordance with state DHS recommendations. Disposable facemasks are available by request.
          • ​Schedule any services delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
        • ​Cemetery staff can be contacted by phone or email at: 

        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

        • The museum is re-open to the public.  Please visit our website​ to see our commitments to keep all of our guests safe while visiting.
        • We encourage you to explore out state's veteran history and participate in both in-person and virtual programming at www.WisVetsMuseum.com​.
        • For more information about the updated galleries or visiting the museum contact, call 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.