Our Services

 Any honorable discharged veteran (as defined by VA rules), spouse, widow, widower, or dependent child may be served by this office.

1. VA Claims Assistance

2. Medical Benefits

3. VA Loan Applications

4. Education Benefits

5. Help with forms, letters, or communications with the VA

6. Burial Benefits

7. Grave Markers

8. VA Insurance

9. Locate and obtain documents, marriage license, birth records, divorce, decree, etc.

This office will copy veterans related documents, provide secretarial help with VA communication, assist an unemployed veteran with job search and maintain a file of important documents. (These documents may be discharges, marriages, divorce, and birth records, letter of aware from VA or Social Security, etc.)

1. Must be an honorably discharged veteran, spouse, widow or dependent child of an honorable discharged veteran.

2. Must be a resident of Lawrence County for three months immediately preceding the application.

3. Must complete assistance application, show proof of Honorable Discharge (DD214) and other proof as required when requesting assistance.

Any assistance application or income disclosure will be held in total confidence as far as the law will allow.

1. Rent support (to avoid eviction)

2. Utilities (to avoid disconnection) Must have disconnect notice

3. Fuel Assistance

4. Emergency medical / eye / dental needs

5. Prescription medication

6. Transportation for medical treatment or job interviews

7. Groceries

8. Widow waiting on pending income after veteran’s death

If you are elderly or infirm and need services, please do not hesitate to call our office. A home visit from our service officer may be arranged by contacting our office to discuss.

Transportation to VA medical appointments will be provided by our office.  Please call us as soon as your appointment is scheduled or changed to arrange this service.  

Funding for the Lawrence County Veteran’s Service Commission is derived from county taxes under the entitlement specified in Ohio Revised Code 5901, House Bill 448, which designates up to 0.5 mill for veterans’ services. We are not an agency of the Veteran’s Administration nor the Federal Government.

The Veteran's Service Commission is comprised of five veterans from Lawrence County who represent different veterans’ organizations:

• American Legion
• Disabled American Veterans
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Purple Heart / Vietnam Veterans
• Amvets

The Veterans’ Service Commission does not view the granting of emergency assistance as Welfare. Rather it is seen as an earned benefit due Lawrence County Veterans who qualify. Our agency is dedicated to being there for the veterans and their dependents in this country.

Since 1886 all Ohio Counties have operated under the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act to provide service and assistance to veterans. This provision for veterans is based on county taxes and is considered to be an earned benefit due our honorably discharged veterans. Ohio is the only state that provides such comprehensive support and services to its veterans. The name was changed from Soldiers and Sailor Relieve to Veterans’ Service Commission but the service still remains the same.