Veterans Service Commission there to get help for veterans in financial crisis situations
Taylor County Veterans Service Commission exists to provide a safety net for local veterans in need.
The commission was set up in the 1930s under a state law that mandates each county had one. Each year, Taylor County budgets money for the commission to provide short term relief for veterans who find themselves in financial need.
The commission utilizes local funds to help local residents and it is independent from the Veterans Administration or any other state or federal programs. since local funds are used for the program, applicants must have lived in Taylor County for 30 days prior to application to be eligible to receive assistance from the commission.
Jeff Hein is the current chairman of the three-person commission. He explained that the commission’s makeup incudes members from the Medford area, western Taylor County and northern Taylor County to reflect the different population areas of the county. All the members of the Veterans Service Commission are veterans themselves.
He said veterans finding themselves in crisis should contact the County Veterans Service Office where County Veterans Service Officer Sheila Sutton will talk with the veterans and seek to determine basic eligibility and what their need is.
Hein explained that because the money comes from county tax dollars, it is only available to county residents. He noted that in the past, they have had to refer people who live close to Taylor County to contact their county’s Veterans Service Office.
Hein said that in his time working with the commission both as a commissioner and as the former CVSO, the most common needs that have come to the commission are due to financial hardship due to unexpected medical bills or loss of employment without cause. Others have come seeking help for unexpected home repairs, furnaces or shortfalls in utility costs.
Hein emphasized that the commission’s help is not intended to be an ongoing supplement but is short-term assistance to help the veterans get back on their feet.
'In many cases, it is not the entire solution, more like a bridge to a solution.' Hein said, explaining that the commission assistance can help the veteran in need get time to find a solution.
Commission guidelines limit the aid to $1,000 per veteran family per year with a lifetime limit of $5,000 in assistance. Hein explained that the money is paid out to contractors, medical providers or utility companies directly and not just given to the veteran.
He said while the commission is there to help serve veterans, they also have an obligation to be responsible for the public funds with which they are entrusted.
Hein said the entire process begins with the veteran making the call to the veterans service office. This is where all requests begin and it is up to the CVSO to verify the eligibility and help the veteran fill out the application for the assistance.
Each application for assistance is made by completing the application form in its entirety and submitted any necessary supporting documentation with it. This documentation is necessary for the members of the veterans service commission to make a decision on what, if any, assistance they are able to provide.
Hein noted that often the veterans service officer will be able to connect the veteran in need with other public and private programs at the federal, state or local level to get assistance in addition to working with the Veterans Service Commission.
The CVSO brings the completed application to the commission, which then meets in closed session to confidentially discuss the needs of the veterans what kind of aid could be provided.
Hein noted that it can take time for the process, noting that the typical request could be addressed within 30 days of an application being filed with the veterans service office. Hein emphasized the importance of making that initial contact with the CVSO as the place where the process begins.
