Stark County Veterans Service Commission: Emergency Financial Assistance and Dental Help

The Veterans Service Commission of Stark County is the county's commission under Revised Code chapter 5901; see the Ohio entry on county veterans service commissions. It has served since 1886 and is at 2955 Wise Avenue NW, Canton 44708 (330-451-7457). Its finance and transportation staff now work together as "Integrated Support Services". What it pays. Temporary help during a financial hardship with rent, mortgage, utilities, food, personal hygiene items and clothing, for eligible veterans and their dependents. Who qualifies. The commission's page follows the statute closely: active federal service with a discharge under honorable conditions, and either active duty for reasons other than training or a service-connected disability recognised by VA or the Defense Department incurred on training duty, with merchant mariners under 5901.01; 90 days' residence in the county immediately before applying; and a definite financial need, judged on income, living expenses and liquid assets. Each application is considered on its own merits under 5901.01, 5901.08 and 5901.09 and the commission's own policies, which it does not publish. No rating is needed. How to apply. Walk in on any business day, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Notice FA-1 lists what to bring: the DD-214 or DD-215; proof of three months' county residence; a marriage certificate (a licence is not accepted); Social Security cards and birth or custody papers for the family; divorce, separation or death papers; 30 days of pay for the applicant and spouse, Ohio Means Jobs enrolment if unemployed, or a doctor's letter if unemployable; every source of income; 60 days of bank transactions; investments; and current bills, leases, insurance and credit card statements. Refusing to provide the documents ends the appointment, and an applicant found to have given false information is barred from future help. Dental. The commission also gives dental financial assistance, under the same eligibility rules, to veterans only and not to their dependents. Burial. Section 5901.25 has every 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 site lists death and burial benefits among the VA claims it helps with but does not describe its own indigent burial; a family should call before signing a funeral contract. Memorial Day flags. Under its Operation Remembrance, the commission supplies flags by the gross (144) to groups placing them on veterans' graves; the 2026 requests were due April 10.