Lorain County Veterans Service Commission: Hardship Financial Assistance

The Lorain County Veterans Service Commission is the county's commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry on county veterans service commissions. Its office is at 1230 North Abbe Road, Elyria 44035 (440-284-4625), and its financial assistance aims above all to prevent veteran homelessness. What it pays. Rent, mortgage and property tax; water, sewer, garbage, electric, gas, phone, internet and an antenna, but not cable television; car payments, and repairs under its policy with up to three quotes; life, home, health, dental, vision, renters and auto insurance; food and personal items; and a back-to-school programme for dependent children. A hardship might be a lost job, an illness, or a major car or home repair. The commission weighs household income from every adult, living expenses, medical costs and the circumstances; its caps are set by internal policy and not published. It also runs separate medical, dental and vision help and a legal services programme, each with its own entry. How to apply. By appointment only (440-284-4630). Bring the basic documents (DD-214, driver's licence or state ID, Social Security cards, proof of residence, a W-9 and family certificates) and the hardship documents: the mortgage or lease, bills dated within 30 days, insurance, 60 days of statements for every bank account and payment app of everyone in the home, 30 days of pay stubs if wages are not direct-deposited, and proof of the hardship. Requests for more papers must be met within five business days, or 72 hours during adjudication. After triage an adjudicator decides, which can take up to 30 days; approved money comes through the County Auditor and is picked up at the office. Who qualifies, and what the page leaves out. The page offers the help to "Veterans, or their widow" who were discharged under honorable conditions, served on active duty other than for training, and have lived in the county 90 days. Section 5901.08 also covers an active-duty member and a veteran's spouse, dependent parent, minor child or ward, so a dependent parent or a guardian of a veteran's child should apply and cite the section. No rating is needed. Burial. Section 5901.25 has the commission bury or cremate a veteran, or a veteran's parent, spouse or surviving spouse, who died without means, with up to $1,000 from the county (see the Ohio entry). The commission's burial page mentions this only in general terms; call before signing a funeral contract.