Geauga County Veterans Service Commission

Every Ohio county has a veterans service commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry. Geauga County's is at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Second Floor, Suite 260, Chardon, OH 44024; direct line (440) 279-1860, county line (440) 285-2222 ext. 1860, fax (440) 285-4489; Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Director Michele Pemberton, assistant director and service officer Randy McVicker, service officer Stacie Malone, driver Tom Covell. Its five commissioners come from AMVETS, the VFW, the VVA and Purple Heart, the American Legion and the DAV, and meet at 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month (the home page says the first and third). Claims. "Stop in and speak to one of our accredited Veteran Service Officers who can assist you with applying for the following VA benefits: Service-connected compensation; Non-service connected pension (with Aid & Attendance); Survivor's pension; Death or burial benefits and Headstones; Post 9/11 education or Vocational rehabilitation for disabled vets; Home loan guarantee certificates; Upgrading or correcting DD 214's; Requesting military awards and medals; VA health care enrollment." Financial assistance. Temporary help "for basic necessities rent/mortgage, electric/gas/fuel oil, water, and food", decided case by case, by appointment Tuesday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a veteran, service member or family member resident in the county at least 90 days (section 5901.08 says three months). Bring the DD214, proof of all household income, three months of bank statements, current original monthly bills and proof of residence, marriage and birth certificates and Social Security cards, the mortgage, lease or rent statement, and "Proof you have requested assistance from Jobs and Family Services and United Way". The commission's application packet (2018) adds that help is given no more than once a month and three times in twelve months "absent an extreme hardship, disability or dire emergency", that a fourth application in a year, or a request above the commission's set amount, means appearing before the commission, that a denied applicant may appeal in writing, and that the office will not see an applicant "until all required documentation is provided". The packet's veteran definition is the statute's: discharged under honorable conditions, so a general discharge qualifies. The packet still gives a 4 p.m. meeting time; the commission now meets at 3. In July 2026 the commission granted one veteran three months of mortgage payments, $9,104.16 in all. Rides to VA care. The office drives the veteran (and a spouse or caregiver with a physician's note) to Wade Park VA Medical Center and the Willoughby, Akron, Parma, Ravenna and Warren clinics. Book two weeks ahead, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays, at 440-279-1860; riders must walk unassisted and meet the van at 12611 Ravenwood Drive an hour or more before the appointment (visually impaired veterans are picked up at home). "YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO CLAIM VA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT IF YOU RIDE WITH COUNTY TRANSPORTATION." The food pantry. The Geauga Veterans Food Pantry, a volunteer non-profit at 13211 Aquilla Road, Suite B, Chardon (Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 440-901-4030), serves Geauga County residents who are honorably discharged veterans; the commission verifies residence and household size and adds the veteran to the pantry's list. The commission's year. It asked the Commissioners for $753,252 for 2027 (the half-mill ceiling would be about $2.3 million), hired a part-time driver, and in December 2025 bought a portable dog tag engraving machine.