| OHIO VETERANS SEEK
MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
In one county, financial relief
applications have increased 23 per cent in 2009.
NOTE from
Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org
... For a look at how the bad economy is affection veterans'
services, refer to our Sign
of the Times page.
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Veterans seeking more financial help from county agency
By John Arthur Hutchison
Jon Warmeling is extremely concerned about the downturn in the
economy and the impact on people to keep up with their finances
and continue living in their homes.
Warmeling, the executive director for the Lake County Veterans
Service Commission, said veterans who reside in the county are
increasingly seeking financial help from the agency.
Although the Commission's main duty is to help veterans file
claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the county
agency also is able to provide financial assistance to veterans
for mortgages, rent, utilities and other items.
When this type of help is granted, there is a lot of scrutiny that
goes into each decision, and not every application can be granted.
"We're very thorough about our financial assistance," Warmeling
said.
"We're a government agency and have to be careful with our money."
He said financial relief applications have increased 23 percent in
2009. As of June 22, the number of applications was 405, up from
330 during the same period in 2008.
Rejected applications have increased 74 percent in 2009. As of
June 22, 66 were denied, up from 38 during the same time period
last year.
 Total
financial assistance granted was $339,184 this year, up from
$301,709 last year.
The Commission's annual budget is usually about $1.2 million to
$1.3 million and by law is available from inside millage on real
property taxes collected by the county, Warmeling said.
When working with veterans who seek financial assistance,
Warmeling said the agency tries to see the light at the end of the
tunnel for each case.
Applications are ultimately decided by the agency's five service
commissioners.
"This office is for the emergency and the financial hardships
cases, but if someone is sitting around watching TV, we have a
problem with that," Warmeling said.
The Commission utilizes the county Job and Family Services
Department's One-Stop Center and the Ohio Transition Assistance
Program to help people look for employment.
"What that does is teaches you how to obtain a job interview, what
to expect during an interview, how to dress, write a r�©sum�© and
cover letter," Warmeling said. "They go through all that with them
and continue to follow-up."
If someone who is out of work doesn't participate in these
programs, they are most likely to be denied financial assistance
from the commission, he said.
"We'll try to do anything in our power to get people back to
work," Warmeling said.
But he cautioned that the agency is not a job placement service,
because of the limited staff and skill sets involved.
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TOPICS:
veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs,
economic downturn, Sign of the Times |
