(By Michael Tucker )

"Veterans returning from the gulf, or any skirmish, can receive help from the local Veterans' Affairs office," officials said.

The office is staffed with two workers who help soldiers fill out forms and point them in the right direction if they need immediate help, said Joe Foster, administrator for the Montana VA. Workers will also help veterans by digging up medical and military records.

"The VA form is complex and lengthy," he said. "Our service officers fill that out for the veteran with the veteran."

The claim is then rated by higher officials to determine and qualify the applications, Foster said. Applicants are then rated as to needs."

Benefits can take from six months to a year to start rolling in, but are effective from the date the VA office submits a veteran's form, Foster said. Veterans are then qualified for treatment and can receive money based on the rating.

But some soldiers need immediate care, particularly if they are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Foster said. Officials have installed measures to act quickly

"If they contact the VA direct or the service office in Belgrade , they can get plugged into counseling services immediately," he said .

VETERANS HEALTH CARE, FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES

• VA Healthcare System of Montana: www.va.gov/rcs

• VA Medical Center/In Patient: VA Health Care Center, Ft Harrison, Helena: 406-447-7596

• Outpatient clinics: Bozeman Primary Care Clinic: 522-8925

• Montana VET Centers: Missoula VET Center: 800-626-8686/406-721-4918, Billings VET Center 406-657-6071

• Rocky Mountain Health Care System Network, Minority Vet Program: 406-447-7547/406 439-6331

• ARMY ONE SOURCE: 800-464-8107 or www.militaryonesource.com

• Army Information Line: 800-833-6622

• National Guard and Reserve PDHRA Call Center: 888-734-7299

• Military Medical Support Office: 888-647-6676

• Department of Veteran Affairs Benefits: 800-827-1000

• VA Veterans Special Issue Help Line: 800-749-8387

• VA Regional Office: 877-222-8387

• National Suicide Support number: 888-784-2433

• TRIWEST CRISIS HOTLINE: 866-284-3743

• TRICARE: www.tricare.mil

• VA Office of Seamless Transition: www.seamlesstransition.va.gov or 800-827-1000

• Veterans Upward Bound: http://vubmt.com/staff.php or 877-356-VETS

• Defense Eligibility Enrollment System DEERS: 800-538-9552

• VBA Veterans Benefit Admin: www.va.gov or 800-827-1000

• VHA Veterans Health Admin: www.va.gov or 877-222-8387

• VRE Veterans Voc Rehab: www.vba.va.gov or 800-827-1000

• Education Benefits: www.gibill.va.gov or 888-442-4551

• MyHealthyVet: www.myhealth.va.gov or 877-222-8387

• American Legion: www.legion.org

• Disabled American Veterans: www.dav.org

• Veterans of Foreign Wars: www.vfw.org