Genesee County Veterans Service Agency

New York counties keep a veterans' service agency under the Veterans' Services Law; see the New York entry. Genesee's agency describes its work on the county site: "The Veterans Agency provides in-depth counseling and follow-up services for benefits claims involving veterans, their dependents and children. The agency connects veterans and their dependents with benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs." Its services list runs from service-connected compensation and the non-service-connected pension through education benefits, vocational rehabilitation, medical and burial benefits, survivor benefits, CHAMPVA and TRICARE, discharge reviews and upgrades, and record corrections. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at (585) 815-7905; the site also carries a Veterans Service Brochure (PDF, 547KB). The officeholder. The department page names "William R. Joyce, Director, CSM, USA Retired", accredited by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, New York State and the American Legion; the Legislature's October 22, 2025 minutes record him accepting the county's Operation Green Light designation as "Veterans Service Director", and the March 30, 2026 Human Services agenda bills him "Veterans Services Director - William Joyce". The office's own record. The site's Veteran's Annual Report page carries the agency's 2024 report: "Ever since the COVID pandemic, support from the Buffalo regional Office has declined. This office currently conducts all Appeal Hearings and uploads all types of claims directly into the VA system. This cuts down the claim time and a more effective and less costly way of submitting claims of all sorts." It records the agency's "contractual relationship with DSS ... assisting more and more veterans and their families. The veteran is applying to DSS for benefits and DSS is referring them to our agency to establish eligibility for federal benefits first. This is a substantial cost savings to the county. We have had 81 referrals and 31 veterans and/or widows who have qualified for federal benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs." And its counts: "Over the past year, this office had 4,225 contacts and has provided 6,103 client services. We have completed 121 Veterans' property tax exemptions." The report also commits the office to "Continue supporting the 'Western New York National Cemetery' (WNYNC) located at NY Route 77 and the Indian Falls Road, Town of Pembroke, Genesee County ... providing assistance in preparation of the VA Form 40-10007 (Pre-Need Application)". The county's designation. The Legislature's October 22, 2025 minutes: "Operation Green Light was presented by Legislator Maha and accepted by William Joyce, Veterans Service Director", and the resolution "with designation as a Green Light for Military Service County, Genesee County hereby declares now through Veterans Day, November 11th 2025, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from Active Service". The site's news carried the office's November 9, 2026 free-haircuts event for local veterans at the Veterans Service Agency office in County Building Two. Where. Genesee County Veterans Service Agency, Genesee County Building #2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020; (585) 815-7905, fax (585) 345-3085; [email protected]. The county courthouse sits at 15 Main Street, Batavia.