Mission Statement

The Department of Veterans’ Services oversees the commonwealth’s veterans public assistance program, which provides financial, medical, and service benefits to qualified veterans and their dependents. This office also offers assistance and referrals in the areas of federal compensation and pensions, state and federal educational benefits, tax exemptions, annuities, home loans, counseling and job training.

Framingham Veterans Council

The Framingham Board of Selectmen have unanimously approved the formation of a City sponsored Veterans Committee. The committee's purpose is to assist and advise the Veterans Service officer and to provide feedback from community veterans directly to the board and the Mayor. Volunteers are encouraged to join the committee.

The purpose of the council under Massachusetts General Law c.115 is:

• To provide support to all Framingham Veterans and the Veterans Service Officer.
• To serve as a liaison between Framingham veterans and the Framingham Board of Selectmen and the Mayor.
• To promote the recognition and observance of all patriotic holidays to include, but not limited to: Memorial and Veterans' Day.
• To foster an understanding and appreciation within the City of the achievements, contributions, and sacrifices veterans have made to the community, state, and nation.

The Veterans Council shall be responsible for producing an annual report.

Members

The Framingham Veterans' Council is composed of 5 volunteer residents of Framingham, 4 Veterans as defined under M.G.L. c. 4, section 7, cl. 43rd as amended by the Acts of 2005, ch. 130. and 1 non-veteran.

The 5 members will all appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The committee will establish its own leadership roles annually. The Framingham VSO will be an ex-officio member. Representatives from Framingham State University and MassBay Community College Framingham Campuses will also have a seat on the committee with no voting privileges.

Veterans Property tax Work-off Program

Framingham Veterans Services is now accepting applications for the Veterans Tax Work-off Program. The commonwealth announced this program as part of the Valor Act of 2012. The Framingham 2013 town meeting adopted the program for Framingham. Five positions were approved for veterans who have been residents for at least 1 year and are homeowners. The program is designed to find flexible hourly (day, night, and weekends) work for veterans in exchange for a property tax abatement. For more information and an application please contact the Framingham Department of Veteran Services or online in our “Document Center”.