'Stand Up and Be Counted' benefits veterans

[February 04, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Designed to improve access to services for the state's 1.2 million veterans, "Stand Up and Be Counted" is a new online tool launched in January by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. This function, available at www.veterans.illinois.gov, encourages all Illinois veterans to log on and submit basic contact information to the department.

"I would encourage all veterans to ‘Stand Up and Be Counted' -- not only to receive assistance with benefits, but also for the sake of their battle buddies," said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. "Participating veterans will help us gain a better understanding of the Illinois veteran community."

Veterans who register through the Stand Up and Be Counted website will be contacted within 48 hours by a local service officer, or VSO, who stands ready to assist veterans, their dependents and survivors navigate the many federal, state and local benefits and resources available to them. Any data collected will help the agency plan for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve Illinois' veterans better.

VSOs are trained to provide accurate, up-to-date information, answer questions, and assist with paperwork and filing of claims for federal, state and local benefits, completely free of charge.

Assistance provided by VSOs:

• Compensation benefits and document assistance -- combat and service-related bonus payments and compensation, DD214 certificates

• Survivor and burial benefits -- grave registrations, grave markers

• Educational benefits -- GI Bill, Troops to Teachers, scholarships

• Employment benefits -- employment preference, Jobs for Vets program

• Real estate and permits -- homestead and disabled veterans standard homestead exemptions, adapted housing exemptions, camping and admissions fees, hunting and fishing licenses

• Referral assistance -- facilitate access to federal VA health care and counseling services

• Illinois veterans homes -- assist in applying for admission to one of four state-managed homes throughout Illinois

For more information, visit www.veterans.illinois.gov or call 1-800-437-9824.

[Text from Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]