Lee County Veterans Services, part of Senior Services at the Enrichment Center, 1615 S. Third Street, Sanford (919-776-0501, option 1), with Veterans Services Officers Sirica Bennett, Ellsworth Cupid and Melanie Smith, files VA claims by appointment and handles veteran plates, disabled veteran hunting and fishing licences, the property tax exclusion paperwork and DD-214 requests on a walk-in basis, weekdays 9 to 2.
Also called: veterans services, VSO, veterans service officer, claims, Enrichment Center, Senior Services, Sirica Bennett, Ellsworth Cupid, Melanie Smith, 919-776-0501, MVR33A, walk-in, Sanford, Broadway, Lemon Springs, Tramway, Cumnock, Colon.
For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.
What the office does, in the county's words: "Veterans Services provides information about veterans rights and entitlements under various local, state and federal laws, actively assists them in filling out necessary forms, and obtains documents and other evidence to forward to the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for review and presentation to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs." It processes disability compensation and pension, education, death and burial, health care and State veterans benefits, and "offers support for homebound veterans and/or veterans and dependents confined in nursing homes to ensure continuation of benefits". It supports the local veterans organizations and the Lee County Veterans Council.
Appointments and walk-ins. "Appointment Required Services": disability claims, new and appeals; pension; survivors' benefits; burial benefits; health care eligibility and enrollment; VA life insurance applications. Its checklists say what to bring - for a first claim the DD-214, a voided check and any medical records; to add dependents, a rating of 30 percent or more and the marriage or birth papers. "Walk-in Services, Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.": veteran licence plates (MVR33A, with a VA benefits summary letter within the year for disabled veteran plates), the disabled veteran hunting and fishing licence (DD-214, a benefits letter within the year and a driver's licence), the disabled veteran property tax exclusion (a benefits letter showing the effective date of the 100 percent permanent and total rating), and DD-214 requests (photo ID; next of kin bring the death certificate or obituary).
Who it serves. "Due to a large volume of veterans seeking assistance, the Lee County Veterans Services Department is requesting that veterans who reside in other counties utilize their own local Veteran Service Officers." The office urges veterans to record the DD-214 with the Register of Deeds, as "essential for arranging a proper military funeral".
Where. Enrichment Center, 1615 S. Third Street, Sanford; Monday to Friday 8 to 4; 919-776-0501 option 1 (ext. 2217). In February 2026 the Board was told a feasibility study would plan renovated space for COLTS and Veterans Services at another county site.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Lee County Veterans Services
Gate
Rule
Lee County veterans, dependents and survivors
Free help; out-of-county veterans are asked to use their own county office. No rating is needed to ask.
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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.