Franklin County Veterans Service Commission: Temporary Financial Assistance

The Franklin County Veterans Service Commission is the county's commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry on county veterans service commissions. It gives temporary financial assistance, medical transportation and help with VA claims from Memorial Hall, 280 East Broad Street, Columbus (614-525-2500, [email protected]). Claims help does not require Franklin County residence. What it pays, with the commission's own limits (financial assistance request form, as of September 1, 2025): Rent, past-due rent, deposits and eviction fees: up to four months in a rolling 12 months. Mortgage, if not in foreclosure or a loan modification: up to four months in a rolling 12 months. Storage fees: up to four months in a rolling 12 months. Utilities: an application every 30 days. Vehicle repair: one per household in a rolling 12 months; the form says no application is taken when "the value is equal to or greater than 200% of the Kelley Blue Book Value" (fair condition, private party), without saying whose value, so ask before getting estimates. Car payments: up to three per household in a rolling 12 months. Moving: one move in a rolling 24 months, more for an eviction with a supervisor's approval. A request beyond a cap goes to the commission, which meets most Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the applicant must attend in person. Payments go to the landlord, lender, utility or vendor, each of which must give the county an IRS W-9. How to apply. Send the request form with every document on the checklist to the intake email or the drop box at Memorial Hall; walk-in and same-day appointments are not offered. Bring the DD-214, family certificates, 30 days of household income, bank and payment-app statements no older than three days, and the lease, mortgage statement, bill or estimate. Every applicant is interviewed about income, spending and plans, and an application can be made once every 30 days. The commission says there is no income limit; the need has to be shown. Who qualifies. A veteran with an honorable or general discharge, someone on federal active duty, or a Guard or reserve member called to federal active duty, and their dependents, who have lived in the county at least 90 days. The commission's overview lists "a VA service-connected disability rating (0% - 100%)" among its eligibility factors. Section 5901.01(B) asks for a service connection only of someone whose sole active duty was for training; a veteran with ordinary active duty and no VA rating qualifies, and should say so if the rating is asked for. Medical transportation. The commission drives eligible veterans point to point to and from medical appointments, after checking the DD-214 and residence.