Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County

Illinois counties fund Veterans Assistance Commissions under the Military Veterans Assistance Act, 330 ILCS 45; see the Illinois entry. Kankakee County's is run by superintendent Eric Peterson with assistant superintendent Karen Smietanski, a veterans service officer and an administrative assistant, under a commission of delegates from the county's veterans posts. Claims. "The VAC Veteran Service Officers of Kankakee County will assist you with your Department of Veteran Affairs claims": health care, compensation, pension, Aid and Attendance, burial, survivors pension and DIC, discharge papers, Presidential and Cold War certificates and medals. Its officers are accredited with NACVSO, the American Legion and the DAV. Financial help. "This program is designed to assist Indigent Veterans and their families who meet income guidelines and/or emergency standards of indigence. Standards of indigence are set by the Veterans Assistance Commission. The program is NOT permanent assistance." It covers rent or mortgage payments, utility payments, food and family essentials, indigent burial expenses, disability care expenses, homeless and transitional housing referrals, bus tokens and "other assistance as needed and as available". "All assistance is paid by voucher directly to the vendor. Cash or checks are never provided." It does not pay past-due balances, reconnections, deposits or first and last month's rent. Training-only Guard or reserve service and anyone receiving other government assistance do not qualify; veterans able to work must join the commission's jobs programme and register with IDES, and one who cannot must apply for Social Security, SSI or a VA pension with a physician's note. Call for an appointment; walk-ins are not taken. The discharge test. The site says "If you are an honorably discharged veteran" and "The Veteran must provide proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-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. Disaster relief. After the Governor's emergency declaration in spring 2026 the commission amended its procedure on April 28, 2026 to pay vendors up to $2,500 per veteran, $15,000 in all, from its donated Emergency Disaster Relief fund. Discount card. "This program will provide a photo ID, FREE OF CHARGE to Kankakee County veterans who have are honorably discharged or on active duty", honoured by the local merchants the page lists.