Veterans Assistance Commission of DeKalb County

Illinois counties fund Veterans Assistance Commissions under the Military Veterans Assistance Act, 330 ILCS 45; see the Illinois entry. DeKalb County's "is a County Government Agency that is operated by and for Veterans", run by superintendent Tammy Anderson with service officers Scott Bennett (815-217-0416) and Lesa Eames (815-217-0418), under a commission of delegates from the county's American Legion, VFW and 40 et 8 posts. Claims. Help with VA disability compensation, pensions, burial, education and health care, lost discharges and State benefits: preparing the VA forms, answering questions and following up on pending claims. The superintendent's reports counted $2,563,317.70 recovered for county veterans in 2025. Financial help. "The Financial Assistance Program is designed to help Veterans and their families who are in need of basic shelter assistance ... All assistance is paid by voucher to the vendor. Applicants receiving financial aid from other governmental agencies, whether County, State, Federal or Township programs, are usually not eligible." The monthly reports of November 2025 to July 2026 show 11 to 14 cases a month at $6,400 to $8,200, and on February 9, 2026 the commission voted a one-time $827.15 electric bill for a veteran. The discharge test. The page says assistance goes to veterans "who's last discharge from the service is 'HONORABLE'" and "The Veteran MUST provide proof of an Honorable Discharge (DD Form 214)". Section 2 of the Act serves veterans whose last discharge was honorable or general under honorable conditions, so a veteran with a general discharge should apply and cite it. Rides. "Non-emergency transportation to and from the Veterans Healthcare Medical Hospitals, is provided for Veterans residing in DeKalb County", to Hines and Great Lakes in Illinois and Madison and Milwaukee in Wisconsin, with volunteer drivers; 30 to 48 rides a month from November 2025 to July 2026. Call 815-756-8129. Where and when. 2500 North Annie Glidden Road, Suite A, DeKalb, IL 60115; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, by appointment where possible; fax 815-748-2142. In Sandwich, 713 South Main Street, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except September (the Sandwich Fair).