Although the government assists many military veterans, some vets are either unaware of their benefits or don't know how to apply for them, local agencies say.

"We act as a bridge or a link between the veteran and the agency that can best help," said Nicholas P. Kafkalas, director of the Governor's Veterans Outreach and Assistance Center, based in Harrisburg.

Veterans Outreach sends representatives across Pennsylvania to answer questions veterans have about pensions, compensation and military records.

Stephen Cisneros, who travels to seven counties including Centre, said veterans ask about anything from employment prospects to home loans.

Cisneros comes to State College at the Pennsylvania Job Service Office, 210 Hamilton Ave., about once a month.

A common problem among applicants is filling out all the paperwork connected with veterans benefits, Cisneros said, noting that he helps some of the veterans complete the applications who have trouble reading and writing.

He supplies information and referrals on many topics, including special programs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PSD) -- an affliction associated with Vietnam veterans.

None of the veterans Cisneros helps are students, he said.

Student veterans can contact the Veterans Affairs Office, 121 Grange, for questions about GI Bill benefits or financial aid. Veterans Affairs is part of the University under the Division of Undergraduate Education.

Veterans, reservists and children or spouses of veterans who were disabled or killed in action are eligible for financial aid, Clark said.

Pennsylvania takes good care of its 1.8 million veterans through numerous state, county and University programs, said Brian Clark, coordinator of Veterans Affairs at the University.

Another agency that serves veterans is the Centre County Veterans Affairs Office.

Unlike Veterans Outreach, which travels all over the state, the county VA Office is permanently stationed in Bellefonte.

Director Stanley Adams said his office keeps contacts with other organizations that help vets such as the Altoona Veterans Administration Hospital, the Unemployment Office and local veterans groups.

"It's a real mishmash," Adams said of the many programs that aid veterans.

But his agency has information about how and where veterans can access those programs, he said.