Belmont County (Ohio) Veterans Service Commission

Every Ohio county has a veterans service commission under Revised Code chapter 5901, which files VA claims and gives financial help to veterans and their families in need; see the Ohio entry for the rules, including the three months' residence and the discharge test for financial help (sections 5901.08 and 5901.01). Claims. "Our service officers are nationally accredited and can help any veteran file or VA claims or benefits": VA health care enrolment, service-connected compensation, pension, dependants' and survivors' benefits, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, education and the home loan guarantee. "There is never a fee for any of our services." The office serves "veterans and the unremarried surviving spouses of veterans". Financial help. "BCVSO can provide financial assistance to eligible veterans and their dependents, who are residents of Belmont County, have been living here at least 90 days, and were discharged from active duty under honorable conditions." The home page calls it "Limited financial assistance ... for county veterans or their surviving spouses", for "utilities and groceries". "The income thresholds for a single veteran is $2,510. For each additional dependent, add $896.67. Please remember, this is HOUSEHOLD income" (monthly figures, which are 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for 2024). Bring the most recent DD-214 or DD-215 (or a military ID if still serving), a current Ohio photo ID, proof of 90 days' residence, marriage, birth or death certificates for dependants, all household income and bank transactions for the last 30 days, the month's expenses, and the original utility bill if asking for one to be paid. The commission's sheet says assistance "is not intended to replace or supplement income" and that missing an appointment may affect future eligibility. Each autumn there is a Holiday Food Voucher (applications by appointment, deadline October 30 in 2026). Rides. "BCVSO runs two vans to Pittsburgh VAMC daily", by appointment, for Belmont County veterans only, picking up at the Bellaire office at 5:40 a.m., Riesbeck's in St. Clairsville at 6 a.m. and Riesbeck's in Bridgeport at 6:15 a.m. (a second, later run at 8:40, 9 and 9:15 when needed). No guests or escorts, except for surgery under sedation with two weeks' notice and a doctor's note; three missed rides without a call bring a suspension. ID cards and burial. The office makes the Ohio veterans ID card free, by appointment, for Belmont County veterans with a DD-214, an Ohio driver's licence or ID and a current bill showing the address. It gives a free flag case and flag holder to the next of kin of a deceased Belmont County veteran (DD-214 and death certificate), wherever the veteran is buried. The 2026 county budget carries $15,000 for grave markers. Where and who. 400 Imperial Plaza, Bellaire, OH 43906 (behind Kroger), Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 1; (740) 325-1042, fax (740) 325-1246. The satellite office is inside the VA Primary Care Clinic at the Ohio Valley Mall, 67800 Mall Ring Road, St. Clairsville, on Thursdays; the commission stresses that it is not the VA clinic (740-695-9321). Executive Director Lucinda Maupin; service officers Keith Rejonis (assistant director), Kari Dillon and Troy Skukan. The five commissioners come from the DAV, the American Legion, the VFW, the Korean War Veterans Association and the community at large. The commission asked the county for $1,501,528 for 2027.