VA disability claims assistance
Accredited service officers file initial claims, supplemental claims and appeals, and never take a percentage.
Veteran run since 2009
Your claim, your job search, your bad week
Accredited claims help that does not take a cut, peer groups run by people who served, and an emergency fund for the month the truck breaks and rent is due. No cost, ever.
3,400veterans served yearly
16 yrson Nevada Ave
$0charged for claims help
412job placements last year
What we offer
Practical help from people who have been there
Everything listed is free to veterans, service members and their immediate family.
Peer support groups
Tuesday and Thursday evenings, separate groups for combat veterans, women veterans and family members.
Employment placement
Resume translation from MOS to civilian language, interview practice and direct intros to 90 local employers.
Emergency financial assistance
One time help with rent, utilities or vehicle repair, paid directly to the vendor, decided within 72 hours.
Housing navigation
Help accessing HUD VASH vouchers, landlord mediation and rapid rehousing for veterans facing eviction.
Education benefits counseling
Walking through GI Bill options, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, and school certification paperwork.
About Ironwood
Started in a garage by three guys who could not get through to the VA
Ironwood opened in 2009 after three Army veterans spent two years fighting their own claims and decided nobody should do it alone. Sixteen years later we have accredited service officers, a full time employment specialist and a peer support program built on the model that works, veterans talking to veterans. Two thirds of our staff and board served.
•Service officers accredited to represent veterans before the VA
•We never charge a fee or take a percentage of a retroactive award
•Peer group facilitators are veterans with formal peer specialist training
Reviews
From veterans we have worked with
“My claim had been denied twice on my own. Their service officer found the buddy statement and the exam evidence I did not know I needed and it came back granted.”
Ray S., Army, claims assistance
“The Thursday group is the only place I say things out loud. Nobody flinches and nobody tries to fix me.”
Anonymous, Peer group member
“They rewrote my resume so a civilian hiring manager could understand what a 68W actually does. I had three interviews in a month.”
Nicole H., Army medic, employment program
FAQ
Claims, eligibility and support
Do I have to have combat service or a discharge characterization to get help?
No. We serve veterans of every era and every branch, including National Guard and Reserve. If your discharge is other than honorable we will still meet with you, because character of discharge determinations and discharge upgrades are both things a service officer can pursue, and many veterans are eligible for more than they were told.
Why is claims help free when law firms charge a percentage?
Accredited veterans service organizations are prohibited from charging for claims preparation and representation, and we are funded by donors, the county and a state grant instead. Attorneys may charge on appeals after an initial denial, which is legal, but you should never pay anyone to file an initial claim.
How long does a VA claim take?
Initial disability claims are currently averaging four to seven months from filing to decision, and supplemental claims and appeals run longer. We give you a realistic timeline at intake, we track the claim in the system, and we call you when something changes rather than leaving you to check a portal.
Can family members use the peer groups and other services?
Yes. Spouses, partners and adult children can attend the family support group on Tuesday evenings, and they are welcome at benefits appointments. Survivor benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, are claims our service officers handle regularly for surviving spouses and children.
Contact
Come in or call, we answer
Walk in weekdays or call to book an appointment with a service officer. Peer groups meet Tuesday and Thursday at six, no registration needed.
Phone(719) 555-0166
Address914 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado
HoursMon to Fri 8am to 5pm, peer groups Tue and Thu 6pm
AreaEl Paso, Teller and Pueblo counties