Washington 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). Washington County's. The commission's site: it "provides various services and assistance to Washington County, OH Veterans, widows, spouses, dependents, and orphans". Claims: service-connected disability, the wartime pension, death and burial benefits, VA health care enrolment, headstones and markers, GI Bill applications, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and survivors' pensions, and military retirement. "Transportation is provided to Washington County Veteran residents that have scheduled appointments to select VA or referred medical facilities outside of Washington County ... first come-first serve basis. Call at least 48 hours prior to the day of appointment"; its FAQ names Columbus, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and Clarksburg. Burial: "a grave service flag and flag holder for county Veterans", and help with the VA burial benefits. Financial help. "The Veterans Office provides temporary assistance to qualifying Veterans, widows, or dependents who meet all policy requirements. Emergency funds for food, shelter, utilities, certain prescriptions, clothing, and other essentials for life may be provided. Proof of household income and expenditures (with receipts) are required. Policy guidelines are available upon request." Ask for the written policy before you apply. The commission's October 2026 agenda also schedules Thanksgiving baskets (given by Westlake Dimex and Settlers Bank, handed out November 23, 1 to 6 p.m., at the office) and the Christmas Families drive with AMVETS (shopping December 7, distribution December 8 at the Elks). ID cards. "We provide Veteran's Photo I.D. cards for Washington County Veterans who have a verifiable military discharge from federal active duty under honorable conditions and a valid Ohio driver's license showing a Washington County address." Its FAQ says "who earned an honorable discharge"; the services page's under honorable conditions takes a general discharge too, so ask. Where and who. 706 Pike Street, Suite 1, Marietta, OH 45750; (740) 568-9009, fax (740) 568-9019; Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to noon (closed Friday afternoons for training). The team page lists service officers Tom Mullenix, Steve Booth and Ryan Dick, Melinda Smith for emergency financial assistance, driver Carl Davis and office administrator Michelle Hooper, and still lists Tom Kukulka, who retired in March 2025; the State's finder gives the office's email as [email protected], and Darren Shearlock speaks for Veterans Service at the Commissioners' meetings. The five commissioners come from the VFW, AMVETS, the American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the DAV and meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the office. In October 2026 the commission advertised for an Executive Director, applications closing November 2, 2026.