Mission of the IACVAC
VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
In counties having two (2) or more posts, camps, ships, chapters of detachments of the Grand Army of the Republic, United Spanish War Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans of the World Wars, Marine Corps League, American Veterans of World War II, Veterans of World War I of the USA, The Polish Legion of American Veterans, The Italian-American War Veterans, The Catholic War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans organizations, and any other congressionally chartered or state chartered veterans organizations as may be recognized by law in like manner as those veterans organized theretofore designated.
A central assistance committee may be organized to be known as the Veterans Assistance Commission of such county, to be composed of one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate from each of such posts, camps, ships, chapters or detachments. Selected annually as may be determined by each member entity. When so organized a Commission shall be clothed with all the powers and charged with all the duties of providing help and assistance to veterans, their families and the families of deceased veterans who served in the armed services of the United States and were honorably discharged there from.
The Commission Superintendent shall have general oversight of the distribution of all monies and supplies appropriated by the county for the benefit of military veterans and their families subject to the rules, regulations, administrative procedures or audit reviews as are necessary to carry out the spirit and the intent of this Act.
To further the intent of this act, to assist military and suffering veterans, this Act should be constructed in order that the Veterans Assistance Commission shall provide needed services to eligible veterans.
The Veterans Assistance Commission is an agency that is operated by and for veterans. The Commission provides aid to those military veterans and their families that reside in your County that may qualify for and need assistance.
Local Veterans organizations in the County are responsible for forming a Veterans Assistance Commission as is allowed under state statutes. This may be done by petitioning the County Board.
The Veterans Assistance Commission provides service to the veteran and his/her family that have no means to provide for themselves. We as veterans are charged by the Illinois Compiled Statutes with these duties.
The Veterans Assistance Commission provide assistance with claims to the Veterans Administration for such benefits as:
Service Connected Compensation
GI Home Loans
Educational Benefits
Pension Benefits
or for any other benefits that the veteran or his family may be seeking from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Veterans Assistance Commission provides services by working closely with all veterans to procure local, state and federal agencies entitlements for which they are eligible:
Employment
Public Aid
Food Stamps
Social Security
Hospitalization
Counseling
The Veterans Assistance Commissions must work closely with all veterans organizations, local, state and national to insure that the rights that each veteran is entitled to, has been granted.
The Veterans Assistance Commission should also perform the following services:
Provide just and necessary expenditures for the veteran poor and his/her dependents. The Commission provides payments toward the bare necessities of life; such as shelter, utilities, food, etc.
Total payment per case must be comparable to the payment levels established by the Department of Public Aid.
Interview, verify and investigate applicants and make out vouchers if qualified.
Act as a liaison and spokesperson for the Commission in relation with:
A. Other governmental and non-governmental bodies.
B. Explain the Commission operations and functions of a VAC office and it concerns.
C. Report to employees changes in laws and regulations of jobs.
Provide what is necessary for the well-being of the veterans and their dependents.
The Commission may assist veterans, is asked, to represent them in their cases with other state or federal departments. These agencies may include, but are not limited to:
1. United States Department of Veterans Affairs
2. Illinois Department of Commerce, State of Illinois
3. Department of Public Aid
4. Attorney General's Office, State of Illinois
The Commission may also help veterans prepare appeals, take witness testimony, and represent these veterans before:
A. Social Security Administration
B. Review Board of the Veteran Administration
C. Department of Public Aid
The Commission may also write appeals or other correspondence for veterans and make calls for the veterans with problems or make referrals.
The Commission may make house calls for veterans who are sick or debilitated. It may also assist in getting local medical care, contacting the DVA for care or treatment and/or transporting to DVA Hospitals.
The information contained in this pamphlet does not imply or determined the benefits that the veteran may receive from the individual Veterans Assistance Commission located in their county. Entitlement will be determined by the rules and regulations adopted by your county Veterans Assistance Commission.
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