Lamar County's Veterans Affairs office prepares, submits and follows up VA disability and pension claims free from three sites: the main office at VFW Post 3955, 12 Veterans Drive, Purvis (601-794-4218, weekdays 9 to 3), the Oak Grove Senior Citizens and Veteran's Center in Hattiesburg (601-336-5019, weekdays 8 to 2) and the Sumrall county complex (601-758-0015, Mondays).
Also called: veteran services, county veteran service officer, CVSO, VA claim, Jay Statham, Oak Grove, VFW Post 3955, 35-3-3, Purvis, Sumrall, Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Lumberton.
For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.
In Mississippi a county may hire a county veteran service officer under Section 35-3-3, certified each year by Mississippi Veterans Affairs; see the Mississippi entries. Lamar County's page: "The County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) advises local veterans and their dependents of their rights and entitlement under the various federal and state Laws, counsel them, and actively assists them by filling out necessary forms, directing these forms to the proper area and obtaining papers and documents in support of VA claims." "We provide free counsel on the VA benefits and claims processes to ensure you receive maximum VA compensation and benefits. We're here to personally assist you by preparing, reviewing, submitting and follow-up through the VA disability/pension claim process." The officer also seeks out veterans who may be entitled to help.
Where and when.
- Purvis branch (main office): Jay Statham, Veteran's Affairs, VFW Post 3955, 12 Veterans Drive, Purvis, MS 39475; 601-794-4218; Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oak Grove Senior Citizens and Veteran's Center: Suzanne Oddo, Veteran's Affairs Assistant, 5874 West 4th Street (between King and Cole Roads), Hattiesburg, MS 39402; 601-336-5019; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sumrall branch: Lamar County Complex, 19 Center Lane, Sumrall, MS 39482; 601-758-0015; every Monday from 9 to 2 (the page prints "9:00pm"). The page names Robert Robertson as the assistant there.
Mississippi Veterans Affairs' county list gives the same three sites and numbers.
Homestead and tags. The Tax Assessor's office in Purvis takes homestead applications, including the disabled veteran exemption (written separately), and the Tax Collector issues the one-dollar disabled veteran plates under Section 27-19-53; the Chancery Clerk records discharges without cost under Section 35-3-13.
The Board. The Board of Supervisors sponsored the Sumrall High School Veteran's Day Breakfast ($1,200) in April 2026 and the Oak Grove High School Veterans Breakfast ($2,500) in September 2026.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Lamar County Veterans Affairs
Gate
Rule
Any veteran or dependent
The office assists veterans and their dependents with VA claims. No rating is required, so the rating filter never hides this benefit.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.