Union County (Ohio) Veterans Service Commission

Every Ohio county has a veterans service commission under Revised Code chapter 5901, which files VA claims and gives financial help to veterans and their families in need; see the Ohio entry for the rules, including the three months' residence and the discharge test for financial help (sections 5901.08 and 5901.01). Claims. The office "advises and assists Veterans and/or their surviving spouses prepare claims or request benefits" from VA, "We DO NOT CHARGE for our services, Nor do we receive any bonus": compensation and appeals, discharge upgrades, pension, replacement discharge papers and medals, VA health care, CHAMPVA, aid and attendance, Ohio Veterans Home applications, home loan certificates, death pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and burial benefits; it copies, mails and faxes the documents free. Rides. "No-cost round-trip transportation for all Union County Veterans and their spouse or care-giver to any federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility or VA-referred medical facility in the State of Ohio", most often Columbus, Chillicothe, Dayton, Cincinnati and the Grove City, Springfield and Marion clinics. Bring a copy of the discharge and a photo ID and fill in a short form; "We require a minimum of 48 hours notice", and there is no emergency transport. The commission says wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available. Financial help. The posted policy is the 2021 one (UCVSO Form 26, "December 30, 2021 (All Other Copies are Obsolete)"): "temporary and emergency" assistance "based on the veteran's discharge and financial need", reviewed at least yearly, never long-term. Bring a completed application, proof of all household income for the past 30 days, complete bills for every expense, any Job and Family Services letters, and proof of inability to work if claimed. Food vouchers are sized to the family and need, and SNAP does not bar them; utilities are paid; rent, lot rent or mortgage, dental or medical bills and vehicle repairs are "exclusively approved by the Veteran Service Commissioners", whom the client meets in person at their meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month at noon; prescriptions of absolute medical necessity go through one named pharmacy; and anyone who received more than $2,000 in a year (food vouchers included) must meet the commissioners for more. Ask for the current policy. Who and where. Interim Executive Director Andrew Stahl, Deputy Director Linda Fuqua, service officers Jamie Colwell and Scott Sedlak, and transportation coordinator Randall Bartoe; five commissioners. Union County Freedom Center, 835 E Fifth Street, Suite B, Marysville, OH 43040; 937-642-7956 or 800-686-2308, fax 937-642-9282, [email protected]; Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The commission's handout to the Commissioners in September 2026 gives 238 West Fifth Street, Suite B, so call before going. Its own site's About page still prints a placeholder phone number and email; use the numbers above.