Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs

Black Hawk County's Veterans Affairs office performs the duties chapter 35B.6(1) of the Code of Iowa sets out: informing members of the armed forces, veterans and their dependents of all federal, state and local laws enacted for their benefit, and assisting all residents who served and their relatives, beneficiaries and dependents in receiving any compensation, pensions, hospitalization, insurance, education, employment pay and gratuities, loan guarantees or other aid they may be entitled to. Service work. The office assists veterans and their dependents in accessing federal, state and county benefits, and names the ones it regularly helps with: VA health care, service-connected disability compensation, veterans pension, survivor's pension and death benefits. The office states that it does not determine eligibility or issue these benefits, but identifies what a person may be eligible for, explains guidelines, completes forms and assists with the application process. Veteran identification. The office issues a free photo ID showing veteran status, for Black Hawk County residents; and it completes and certifies the form for the "Veteran" designation on an Iowa driver's licence, a service it provides to any veteran regardless of county of residence. Relief assistance. Relief is monetary assistance with emergency needs such as burial, food, shelter, transportation and utilities. An application is completed and an interview held with the director or service officer, who reviews the application and determines the level of benefits case by case; the commission will review any request that the veteran considers an emergency need. The county's main contacts are at 316 East 5th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703, phone 319-833-3000.