010311 Outlook feature on Wayne County Veterans Service Commission

  • Meena Ghaziasgar
  • December 30, 2010
  • 355
                        
In an ongoing effort to provide support for Wayne County’s veterans, leaders of the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission want to make sure that local servicemen and women know about all of the services their organization offers. The Wayne County Veterans Service Commission, located at 356 W. North Street in downtown Wooster, is dedicated to assisting veterans in Wayne County and their dependents. Their mission is to assist the veterans in obtaining his/her rightful benefits under the law. Unfortunately, many veterans are not aware of the benefits for which they are eligible. According to Larry J. Watson, Director of the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission and County Veterans Service Officer, there are many ongoing services from which veterans can benefit. The challenge is spreading the news about these services. “We have many ongoing and consistent programs, and they are all important,” noted Watson. “We are a county government office,” he added, “and our job is to make sure the VA (Veterans Affairs) do what they are supposed to do.” The County Veterans Service Officers are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and are certified by the Ohio Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. The staff provides a vital and convenient link between veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Programs and services that are available to veterans include financial assistance with claims for service-connected disabilities as well as non-service related claims, assistance with enrollment in the VA medical system, transportation to and from VA healthcare facilities, and an emergency financial assistance program. The claims assistance program is meant to aid wartime veterans with limited income who are no longer able to work. Veterans may also be eligible for compensation for injuries or illnesses that resulted because of active duty or any disabilities that were aggravated because of active duty. The emergency financial assistance programs provide short term basic needs to eligible, needy Wayne County Veterans and their dependents. This program is meant to provide emergency funds to meet the basic needs of life such as food, shelter, essential utilities, etc. It is restricted in length of time depending on needs and circumstances. The emergency financial assistance is generally limited to no more than three consecutive months in any calendar year if a veteran is able to work. “A lot of veterans are either unaware of us [the organization]or unaware of what benefits they are entitled to” said Watson. “I think it’s best for veterans to belong to a veterans organization--like the American Legion, AMVETS, VFW, DAV, or VVA. That’s a great way for veterans to learn about what’s available.” Watson estimates that approximately 9,000 veterans currently live in Wayne County, and he hopes that they will contact the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission for assistance or to learn more about benefits that they have earned through service to their country. One critical issue, especially for older and aging veterans, is the issue of healthcare and access to prescription medication. “I want veterans to be aware of their benefits, especially when it comes to healthcare and access to medication,” emphasized Watson. “So many people are struggling with healthcare and are struggling to pay for medication or are on fixed incomes. We can help them get their medication at a lower rate, and we can provide hearing aids, eye-glasses, etc. It’s a tremendous benefit.” Watson also noted that older individuals on fixed incomes frequently become ill or die because they cannot afford to pay for prescription medication. They often take a lower dose, or take their medication every other day. “We can help veterans pay for their medication,” said Watson. “People are cutting medication down when it’s needless.” “We serve all veterans,” emphasized Watson. “We do have a number of programs that are tailored for new veterans who are coming home with visible and invisible scars.” New veterans are entitled to VA healthcare, and they are eligible for a variety of educational programs. A new educational program allows a veteran to transfer his or her educational benefits to a spouse or dependent. “Currently, we don’t have a great deal of veterans taking advantage of the transferable educational programs, but maybe a spouse of child could benefit,” said Watson. “The benefits depend on whether the individual is enrolled in school full-time or part time, but it does provide them with a stipend and an allowance for books. It also covers tuition at any school, as long as it’s an approved school.” Educational benefits can be used for undergraduate work at a college or university, technical or vocational training, on-the-job or apprenticeship training, or correspondence and flight training. For more information, contact the Ohio Wayne County Veterans Service Commission at 330-345-6638 or at mail@WayneCountyVeterans.org. The office is located at 356 W. North Street (Lower Level)in Wooster. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. More information is also available online at www.waynecountyveterans.org. For information about educational benefits, call 1-888-GI BILL1 or 1-888-442-4551.


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