Clermont County Veterans Service Commission: Immediate Financial Assistance

The Clermont County Veterans Service Commission is the county's commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry on county veterans service commissions. Its office is at 76 South Riverside Drive, third floor, Batavia 45103 (513-732-7363), weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; applications are taken by appointment. The executive director is Steve Balczo, and its accredited service officers include Rodger Young, Wayne Lung, Michael Milam and Emily Dillenburger. What it pays, under the policy revised June 8, 2026. Emergency help with food, housing and utilities: rent or mortgage paid straight to the landlord or lender (never a relative's, and only the veteran's pro-rata share where the household shares with non-dependents); utilities paid to the provider, in the veteran's or spouse's name; grocery vouchers of $300 for one person, $550 for two, $800 for three and $1,000 for four or more, spendable within 14 days; home repairs, with three written estimates and proof of ownership; and an emergency tooth extraction, on a dentist's written opinion, paid to the provider. It will not pay rental, lease or mortgage deposits, rent or mortgage on a relative's property, cable or streaming bills, personal loans, taxes, legal fees, court fines or bail, or child support. The limits. One award every 90 days by award date, one award per household even where two veterans live there, and a lifetime cap of 24 awards or $15,000. Approval rises with the amount: an investigator to $2,000, the executive director to $5,000, the board above that. A veteran injured on active duty for training whose VA compensation stems from that injury gets 12 months of lifetime eligibility; a medical discharge for a service-connected condition gets the full 24. Since June 8, 2026 no new applicants join the old permanent monthly assistance list, though people already on it stay, re-qualified yearly by the executive director. How to apply. The application asks for the DD-214 (all of them, if more than one), a state ID or driver's licence, proof of 90 days' residence in Clermont County (a current lease or mortgage and utility bills in the veteran's, spouse's or guardian's name; time in jail past 90 days does not count), 60 days of income and bank records for the veteran and spouse, including self-employment tax returns, the last two pay statements, dependency certificates, and a medical letter if unable to work. An unemployed veteran must register with Ohio Means Jobs and show it. The investigator starts within five business days and decides within 30; an incomplete application is abandoned after 35 days. A partial award or refusal can be appealed to the executive director, then to the commission board. Where the policy adds to the statute. Its "veteran" definition asks for more than 90 days of active duty, which Revised Code 5901.01(B) does not, and it reads the multiple-service rule as at least one honourable or general discharge across DD-214s. A veteran with less than 90 days of active duty, honourably discharged, should apply anyway and cite the statute. No rating is needed. Burial. Section 5901.25 has the commission bury or cremate a veteran, or a veteran's parent, spouse or surviving spouse, who died without means, with up to $1,000 from the county (see the Ohio entry). The commission's pages do not describe its practice, so call 513-732-7363 before signing a funeral contract.