Pickaway County Veterans’ Service Commission

Every Ohio county has a veterans service commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry for the statutory scheme and what the commission may do. The county's page introduces it: "The Veterans' Service Commission is a county agency dedicated to aiding Pickaway County veterans during times of need. Our Service Officers provide a full range of benefits and information for eligible veterans, their surviving spouse, dependent children and dependent parents through accredited veterans' organizations. All Service Officers are accredited through the Ohio Department of Veterans' Services (ODVS) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, as well as the National Association of County Veterans' Service Officers. We provide help with obtaining benefits by representing and assisting veterans, family members, and survivors when they apply to the VA for benefits. We specialize in Veterans' Compensation and Pension claims and Widows Benefits. We also help with emergency financial assistance, transportation to VA appointments, assistance with claim filing, and form preparation and submission to the VA." Eligibility, from the same page: "Applicants must have been on active duty in the U.S. Military and received either an honorable or general under honorable discharge, OR be the spouse, dependent child, or widow of an honorably discharged veteran OR a parent receiving VA benefits. You also must be a resident of Pickaway County for at least 90 days prior to the application for assistance. To be eligible for emergency financial assistance, a definite financial need must be demonstrated. ... If your application is approved, we can assist with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food, eye glasses, prescription medication and coats or school clothes." The documentation list runs from Form DD214 and a current picture ID through proof of residency, 30 days of household income and expenses, a recent bank statement, the marriage certificate, minor children's birth certificates, rent vouchers and any eviction or shut-off notices. The officeholders. The staff page: "Todd Huffman, Executive Director/CVSO; Wesley Smith, Assistant Director/CVSO; Pete Drayer, CVSO; Penny Winters, Financial Assistance; Waldena Hendrix, Transportation Coordinator / Receptionist." The commission board: "John Simison, Keith Howard, Leroy Fout, Richard Wright, Alan Gabriel." The office's rules, from its own financial-assistance policy: "Based on (ORC) Ohio Revised Code 5901.08 each applicant for financial assistance must be a veteran, or active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a spouse, widow, dependent parent who is drawing VA compensation, or a minor child under 18 or disabled children prior to reaching 18 and eligible to draw VA benefits, whose parent or parents are a veteran(s). Eligibility also extends to a minor child under 18 that has been adopted by a veteran. The Veteran or qualifying applicant must also be a resident of Pickaway County for at least (3) months prior to applying for assistance. It is the policy of the Pickaway County Veterans Service Commission (PCVSC) to provide financial assistance to any qualifying person's qualifying under section 5901.01 to 5901.14 of the Ohio Revised Code and policies contained in the document established by the (PCVSC). Financial assistance falls under two basic categories. They are, indigent burial and necessities of life. Financial assistance is a short term temporary or one-time payment to assist veterans and their qualifying dependents based on need. The assistance granted by this office is not a pension, wage replacement, or automatic entitlement." Where. Pickaway County Veterans' Service Commission, 141 W. Main Street, Suite 300, Circleville, OH 43113; (740) 474-3650, toll-free (888) 330-3522; Monday to Friday 8 to 4. The commission's own web site is pickawayvets.com; the county's office page is under pickawaycountyohio.gov/offices/veterans-assistance/.