Veterans Assistance Commission of Jefferson County (Zachary Brooks, Superintendent), Mt. Vernon

Illinois counties fund veterans assistance commissions under the Military Veterans Assistance Act (330 ILCS 45); the Illinois entry explains the Act. The office. The county home page's "Veteran's Assistance Commission (VAC)" link opens the commission's New Client Intake Packet: "VAC of Jefferson County Superintendent", 618-214-4973; Veterans Assistance Commission of Jefferson County, 716 Main St, Mt Vernon, IL 62864. The packet's witness line names Zachary Aaron Brooks, Superintendent. What it does. The packet has two tracks. "Type 1 = VA Disability/Pension": for a new claim the office needs the diagnosed condition and every place that treated it; for a condition already denied, the date and wording of the last denial and any new evidence, and it "strongly advises that you wait until a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) gains access to your files before filing a new claim". "Type 2: Temporary Financial Assistance", "LIMITED TO JEFFERSON COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY": food and nutrition, rental or mortgage assistance, temporary shelter, electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet and cell phone. For financial help the applicant must apply to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Department of Human Services or the Social Security Administration (or have their forms completed) and bring two months of income and bank statements, bills and a job search history; the packet's checklist asks for a photo ID and a DD-214 or NGB-22. Its rules. "The Superintendent is able to make exceptions to some guidelines if, in their informed and best judgement, the client has extenuating circumstances normally impossible to predict", under 330 ILCS 45/10(a), "on a case by case basis". The packet publishes no assistance amounts. The work, from the Board's minutes. The amended FY2025-2026 Veterans Levy of $168,273 passed 11 to 1 on November 24, 2025. On July 27, 2026 "Zach Brooks from the VAC gave his monthly activity report: 52 in person visits, 232 calls, 266 messages, 40 claims, 2 Board of Veterans appeals, 4 house calls, 8 community engagements, and more."